When temperatures in several cities approached 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday, Mercury rose by nearly nine degrees above February’s average level. This is because most of the stations in the state recorded temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, which is thought to be the highest February temperature in the past 50 years.
“This year February is reporting very high temperatures, as much as 9 degrees above normal in the state, highest over last several decades. In Ahmedabad, this February has recorded the highest temperature over the last 50 years or so,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) regional director Manorama Mohanty told The Indian Express.
The maximum temperature was 39.8 degrees Celsius in Rajkot, which is 9 degrees above average, and 39.4 degrees Celsius in Amreli. Surendranagar, Keshod, and Bhuj all recorded high temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius and 38.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Maximum and minimum temperatures are not likely to fall in two days, according to the IMD.
The IMD forecast stated, “No large change in minimum temperatures during next two days… thereafter, gradual fall by 2-3 degrees Celsius during subsequent three days very likely over the region. Maximum temperatures very likely in the range of 37-39 degrees Celsius in parts of North Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch during the next two days.”
Surat recorded 38.4 degrees Celsius, Ahmedabad 38.2 degrees Celsius, Kandla airport 38.4 degrees Celsius, Valsad 38 degrees Celsius, Mahuva 36.8 degrees Celsius, Porbandar 36 degrees Celsius and Veraval 35.8 degrees Celsius, The maximum temperature in Rajkot and Bhuj were nine degrees above normal temperature, while in Amreli and Ahmedabad, it was eight degrees above normal. Deesa recorded 36.4 degrees Celsius and Patan 36.1 degrees Celsius — seven degrees above normal temperature.
Kandla, Naliya, Surat, Porbandar and Veraval also recorded six degrees above normal temperature. The minimum temperatures were also above normal. The highest minimum temperature recorded in the state was at Veraval at 20.8 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal temperature. Ahmedabad recorded 18.8 degrees Celsius minimum temperature that was six degrees above normal while Bhuj recorded 17.8 degrees Celsius, Deesa 17 degrees Celsius and Veraval 20.8 degrees Celsius that were five degrees above normal.