Oppressive ‘heat dome’ sustained by an area of high pressure (offshoot of developing El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific) trapping hot air over of the country is about to break down as a cooler western disturbance winds its way across Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to cross into North-West India over the next few days.
Heat wave forecast
In the meanwhile, heat wave conditions may persist over Vidarbha, West Rajasthan, Odisha, Gujarat State, Rayalaseema, Chhattisgarh and north Telangana (North-West, West, and adjoining Central India) before the disturbance and an accompanying trough wallop the region to generate cooler weather during next few days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) located the incoming disturbance over Iran-Afghanistan border this (Tuesday) morning. It will gradually make its way into Pakistan before entering North-West India, triggering rain, thunderstorms, and lightning and offering some respite from the gruelling heat.
Rain, thunderstorms
Scattered to fairly widespread moderate rain/snow, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (speeds reaching 40-50 km/hr) may lash Jammu-Kashmir today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday); over Himachal Pradesh for three days from today; while it will be isolated to scattered over Uttarakhand for next six days.
Over the plains, isolated to scattered to moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 km/hr) are likely over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh and Delhi for three days and on Saturday and Sunday; over East Uttar Pradesh for next five days; West Uttar Pradesh, for four days; West Rajasthan for two days; and over East Rajasthan for next six days.
Thunder squalls for plains
Thunder squalls (wind speeds reaching 50-60 km/hr gusting to 70 km/hr) may line up over over Punjab and Haryana-Chandigarh today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday). Isolated hailstorms may stalk Jammu-Kashmir today, and Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand both today and tomorrow.
Hot and humid weather conditions may prevail over isolated pockets over Konkan, Kerala today; coastal areas of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu both today and tomorrow; and Odisha for four days from today.
Published on April 28, 2026