Friday forecast: Blistering heat in north, thunderstorms in northeast

Thursday was a day dominated almost entirely by heat. The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) recorded no significant rainfall across most of the country, with the rainfall distribution for the last 24 hours simply described as dry over the rest of India, with only sparse, light showers observed in a few pockets. The heat, meanwhile, was extraordinary. People shield themselves from a scorching Sun in Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: PTI) Read Full Story The highest maximum temperature recorded the day before, on Wednesday, was 48.2°C at Banda in Uttar Pradesh, continuing its run as the hottest place in the country. Maximum temperatures across Himachal Pradesh and East Madhya Pradesh were running more than 5°C above normal for this time of year, with Vidarbha also significantly warmer than usual. Nights offered little comfort either. Minimum temperatures on Thursday were markedly above normal, more than 5°C higher than seasonal averages, at several places in Himachal Pradesh, and above normal across a wide belt including Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The coolest spot in the plains was Halflong in Assam, at 18.5°C. People in New Delhi walk while covering themselved from extreme heat. (Photo: PTI) HOW WILL THE WEATHER BE ON FRIDAY? Friday brings a more active picture for parts of the country, though the heat belt in the north remains firmly in place. The clearest rain signal is in the Northeast and East. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated spots. Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, South Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu & Puducherry are also in line for heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms with gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are expected across a large belt including Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala & Mahe, Lakshadweep, Madhya Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and West Rajasthan. Women cover themselves while walking amid rainfall, in Kochi, Kerala. (Photo: PTI) More violent bursts, like thundersqualls with winds of 50–60 kmph, are very likely in isolated places over Andhra Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, parts of Karnataka, and Jammu & Kashmir. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu-Kashmir are also in for isolated hailstorms. Dust storms are forecast at isolated spots in Punjab and West Rajasthan. HEAT WARNING ACROSS NORTH INDIA Despite the storm activity in some areas, the heat wave warning covers a wide swathe of the country on Friday. Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are very likely across Coastal Andhra Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Vidarbha. A squirrel lays on the ground during a wave of extreme heat sweeping Northern India. (Photo: PTI) IMD has issued red alerts for severe heatwaves in Uttar Pradesh districts, including Bundelkhand, Banda, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, and Madhya Pradesh-bordering areas, IMD scientist Mohammed Danish told news agency ANI. Similar conditions are very likely in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, Telangana, and West Madhya Pradesh. The IMD's temperature forecast has offered no relief, noting that no significant change in maximum temperatures is expected anywhere in the country through May 27. A weather map showing the weather forecast across the Indian subcontinent on May 22. (Photo: Windy) Hot and humid conditions are forecast for Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha. Furthermore, warm nights will persist in Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Vidarbha. For those in the heat-affected north and centre, the IMD has maintained a red alert for Uttar Pradesh, where the risk of heat stroke is very high for all age groups. Hydration has been advised and people are encouraged to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours. If it offers any comfort, although Friday will remain largely unchanged, it will also mark another day spent in India's slow march towards rain and relief. Ends