Thunderstorms, rain likely across Haryana till June 6

Gurgaon: Thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and scattered rainfall are likely across the state till June 6. Yellow and orange alerts have been issued for parts of the state till then.

Weather remained pleasant on Wednesday, with the city’s minimum temperature at 22.8 degrees Celsius, a 3-degree dip from Tuesday’s 25.4 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature, however, rose to 38.2 degrees Celsius, a 4-degree rise from Tuesday’s 34.1 degrees Celsius.

IMD said the maximum temperature is likely to rise 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next 24 hours before falling by 2-4 degrees Celsius over the following two days under the influence of active weather systems. Temperatures are expected to increase gradually thereafter.

IMD has forecast thunderstorms with gusty winds of 50-60 kmph at isolated places on June 4, while similar activity with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph and moderate rainfall are likely on June 5 and 6.

Haryana’s average minimum temperature increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and the maximum temperature rose by 2.6 degrees Celsius. Both remained close to normal.

There was light to moderate rainfall at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab, while thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by gusty winds were reported at isolated locations in Punjab.

Weather experts said the cooler-than-usual nights and intermittent weather activity have been linked to repeated western disturbances affecting north India this year. “Evidence increasingly suggests that sharp temperature swings, where intense heatwave conditions are followed by unusually cool and stormy spells, are becoming more common across north India,” said Vishwas Chitale, fellow at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).

He said an unusually high number of western disturbances have affected the region since the beginning of the year, with several systems extending into May and June, beyond their traditional peak season. While such systems can provide temporary relief from extreme heat across northwest India, they can also trigger thunderstorms, hailstorms and flash floods.

Chitale cautioned that a few days of below-normal temperatures should not be viewed as a reversal of the long-term warming trend. “Weather reflects short-term variability, whereas climate change is measured over decades. The broader pattern remains clear: India is experiencing rising temperatures, more frequent heat extremes and increasing heat stress,” he said.