After a few days of respite from the stifling heat under the sobering impact of prevailing weather systems, the mercury was back on an upward climb in Bhopal and elsewhere across Madhya Pradesh on Friday. The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 41.2 degrees Celsius, signalling another sultry spell.
Temperature Rise Expected
According to the regional meteorological office, the day temperature would rise by two to four degrees over the next four days. However, while the days will be hotter, the Met did hold out hope of occasional breathers as it also warned of thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning and gusty winds for many places in the state over the weekend and into the coming week.
The day temperature in the city on Friday was in the normal range for this time of year, and so was the minimum overnight temperature at 25.8 degrees Celsius. Ratlam in western Madhya Pradesh was the hottest in the state on the day, with the mercury soaring to 43.5 degrees Celsius.
Recent Weather Activity
Over the last 24 hours, till 8:30 am on Friday, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and rain were recorded in Anuppur, Chhatarpur, Chhindwara, Damoh, Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Panna, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Tikamgarh, Pandhurna, Bhind, Datia, Gwalior, Sheopur and Shivpuri districts. Bhind, Shivpuri and Chhatarpur districts reported hailstorms over the same period of time.
Weekend Forecast
The Met office, meanwhile, forecast clear skies for Bhopal on Saturday, with the day and night temperatures likely to be at 39 and 26 degrees, while the average wind speed will be 18 kmph, offering a measure of relief amid sultry conditions.
The weather officer, however, flagged a weather alert for the state warning of thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning and gusty wind, in Datia, Bhind, Chhindwara, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Pandhurna, Seoni, Balaghat, Narmadapuram, Betul, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Morena, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Mandla, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur and Maihar districts.
Rain or drizzle is also likely in Narmadapuram, Betul, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Maihar and Pandhurna districts.
