Despite alarming reports of heat waves, India’s national average maximum temperature for March stayed close to normal—and this trend has continued into the early days of April. This might seem contradictory, but it reflects a complex interplay of regional climates across the country.
On the surface, it appears that India is grappling with extreme heat, particularly in regions like Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh, and parts of northeast India, which consistently experienced above-normal temperatures. However, most of peninsular India remained cooler, balancing out the national average.
Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that from March 21 to April 3, large areas like northwest and central India, along with Maharashtra, flipped between being warmer and cooler than normal. For instance, while states like Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha were cooler in late March, they became warmer in early April.
Environmentalists highlight that this discrepancy is largely due to localized temperature fluctuations influenced by weather patterns. Speaking to ETV Bharat, environmentalist Manu Singh stated, "Even though a few regions faced unusual heatwaves in March and early April, the average temperature across the whole country stayed close to normal. This was because some areas, especially in central and northwestern India, were hotter than usual, while other places were cooler, which balanced the overall mercury average."
Singh elaborated that such anomalies are a result of changing geography and weather patterns across India. He warned that while the national average may look stable, local extremes should not be overlooked, especially when planning for climate risks or adaptation strategies.
The IMD data indicates that during the weeks ending March 27 and April 3, above-normal maximum temperatures were recorded in parts of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh, and northeast India. Conversely, much of peninsular India remained cooler, which helped maintain a steady average temperature nationwide.
Interestingly, the average maximum temperature for the week ending March 27 was just 0.29°C above normal, and by April 3, it had dropped to only 0.07°C higher than the norm. This slight increase reflects the impact of western disturbances, which bring cool air down from the Himalayas, lowering temperatures in northwestern India.
Moreover, rainfall triggered by cyclone-like systems and low-pressure troughs has provided relief to central, southern, and eastern regions. Singh noted, "Following the passage of Western Disturbances, cold winds from the north set in, causing a drop in temperature, especially for northwestern parts of India. Rainfall driven by cyclonic systems and a low-pressure trough over central and peninsular India have also kept temperature under control in these two areas."
However, the fluctuations in temperature across different regions have not significantly impacted the overall national average. Singh cautioned that with temperatures rising due to human activities, heatwaves are likely to become more common and intense, particularly during seasonal transitions.
As the IMD forecasts suggest, the mixed patterns of temperature are likely to continue over the coming weeks, with scattered rainfall providing intermittent relief from extreme heat across much of the country. This ongoing variability in weather patterns underscores the need for region-specific climate monitoring and strategies to effectively address these changes.
In summary, while parts of India are experiencing heatwaves, the national temperature averages remain stable due to a complex interplay of regional weather patterns. The IMD's forecasts indicate that scattered rainfall may bring further relief, but the potential for extreme heat remains a concern, particularly as climate change continues to influence weather dynamics across the subcontinent.
