Thread by @weatherindia

Menacing March: India Endures Third Hottest March Since 1901; Warmest in Last 11 Years, As Per IMD

#HeatWave

weather.com/en-IN/india/ne…

(📸: IANS)

Did you start experiencing scorching summer heat from the very beginning of March 2021? Did you feel this March was much hotter than it usually is? If so, your instincts were spot on.

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Last month, the country recorded an average maximum temperature of 32.65°C, which makes March 2021 the third warmest March India has endured in the past 121 years—since record-keeping began!

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As per the data from India Meteorological Department (IMD), India’s average maximum for March 2021 was 1.4ºC above the established normal for this month, which stands at 31.24°C. This also made March 2021 the warmest March in the last 11 years.

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The highest spike last month was observed in Northwest India, which recorded an average maximum temperature of 29.03°C. In comparison, its normal average maximum stands at 26.82°C, marking a deviation of 2.21°C.

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On the other hand, March 2021’s minimum temperature average across India stood at 19.95°C, which is 1.08ºC higher than the 18.87°C normal based on the climatology period 1981-2010. March’s average temperature of 26.30ºC also exceeded the established normal of 25.06ºC by 1.24ºC.

While the mercury levels spiked all across India, even rising beyond 40°C and offering a glaring preview of the summer to come, the highest maximum temperature last month was recorded from Baripada in #Odisha on March 30, where the mercury shot up to 44.6°C!

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#HeatWaves also became a frequent occurrence towards the end of the previous month. By the last week of March, heatwaves had begun lashing parts of Rajasthan, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Saurashtra, Kutch and Tamil Nadu.

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Furthermore, the IMD’s monthly outlook for April has indicated that these daytime temperatures are only likely to rise over the northern parts of the country and along the east coast during the second week of this month, between April 8-14.

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As temperatures spike and more heatwaves lash the country, the IMD has urged the vulnerable population, especially infants, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases, to avoid venturing outdoors in the scorching heat, and to take extra precautions when they do.

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It is also recommended to wear light-coloured cotton clothes, and cover the head via cloth, hat or umbrella to avoid direct Sun exposure.

#HeatWaves