Bhopal: Residents of Madhya Pradesh experienced a welcome respite from the intense heat that persisted through most of May, as temperatures dropped sharply across the state on Monday under the influence of pre-monsoon weather activity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds in several districts for Tuesday, while Bhopal is expected to witness cloudy skies and isolated showers during the afternoon and evening hours.
Weather Shift in Bhopal
The weather shift was evident in the state capital on Monday, where strong winds and light drizzle swept through parts of the city in the evening. The maximum temperature settled at 37.6 degrees Celsius, which is 3.6 degrees below normal and significantly lower than the 43-degree-plus temperatures recorded during the initial days of the recent nautapa period. The minimum temperature was recorded at 27.1 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall Forecast for Tuesday
According to the forecast, Bhopal and other districts of the division, including Sehore, Raisen, and Vidisha, are likely to receive rainfall at isolated places on Tuesday. Similar conditions are expected in parts of Indore, Narmadapuram, Jabalpur, Sagar, Gwalior, and Chambal divisions.
Orange Alert for Western Madhya Pradesh
The strongest weather activity is likely over western Madhya Pradesh. IMD issued an orange alert for Dhar and Khargone districts, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph. Similar thunderstorm and wind warnings were issued for Ratlam, Ujjain, and Jhabua. Rainfall is also expected at several places in Alirajpur, Barwani, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Shajapur, and Rajgarh districts.
Cooling Trend Across the State
The cooling trend was visible across the state on Monday. Khandwa recorded the highest maximum temperature at 40.5 degrees Celsius, making it the only place in Madhya Pradesh where the mercury crossed the 40-degree mark. Elsewhere, temperatures remained below 40 degrees, reflecting the impact of widespread cloud cover and moisture incursion.
Monsoon Season Approaching
With the monsoon season approaching, weather experts expect heat intensity to gradually decline. Historically, June remains a transition month for Bhopal. During the past decade, the city recorded above-normal rainfall in five years and below-normal rainfall in five others. Last year, Bhopal received 156 mm of rainfall in June, exceeding the monthly average, while the maximum temperature touched 43.4 degrees Celsius.
The southwest monsoon typically reaches Bhopal between June 15 and June 25. The city's wettest June in recent years was in 2020, when 405.3 mm of rainfall was recorded, while the driest was in 2022, with just 38.2 mm. Despite the recent relief, meteorologists said daytime temperatures could still cross 40 degrees Celsius on some days this month before the monsoon establishes itself over the region.
