Lucknow: Temperature climbing to 40°C, hottest day of season

LUCKNOW: As hot and humid conditions intensified, temperature neared 40 degrees Celsius mark, making Friday the hottest day of the season so far. The mercury may cross 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

The day was clear on Friday with bright sunshine. As a result, the maximum temperature soared to 39.5 degrees Celsius, a degree above normal. The night was also hot with minimum temperature 24.4 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal. Hot conditions prevailed since morning, forcing many people to stay indoors.




Earlier, highest maximum temperature of 38.7 degrees Celsius was recorded on March 30. Last year, April 30 was the hottest day in April when the maximum temperature rose to 40.7 degrees Celsius. State Met director JP Gupta said dry hot northwesterly winds coming from Rajasthan are responsible for rise in temperatures in Uttar Pradesh and Lucknow.
Similar conditions will prevail till Monday with clear sky and scorching heat. In fact, maximum temperature may rise further to 41-42 degrees on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A western disturbance heading towards the Himalayas may change weather conditions on Tuesday. The western disturbance is likely to cause rains and thunderstorms in many parts of north India, including some parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Thunderstorm may also lash Lucknow on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in drop in temperatures by a couple of degrees, thereby bringing some relief from the prevailing hot conditions.

However, relief would be short as weather is expected to turn sultry after thunderstorm. The temperatures will start rising again from Thursday.