UP: Hottest start to June in 3 years, no relief in sight for a week

LUCKNOW: With the revival of dry hot winds and mercury keeping above 40 degrees Celsius mark for the second consecutive day, heat wave was back in the city on Wednesday. It was also the hottest June day in the past three years so far. No relief is likely for at least a week.
The maximum temperature was 41.9 degrees Celsius, 1.2 units above normal, and minimum temperature was 3.7 degrees above normal, 3.7 notches above normal. Both minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to increase by 1-2 degrees on Thursday.
In 2021, the highest maximum temperature in June was 40.6 degrees Celsius, recorded on June 7, and in 2020, hottest day in June was June 10 with 39.8 degrees Celsius.
State Met director JP Gupta said dry hot northwesterly winds coming from the desert region have revived leading to rise in temperatures. Bright sunshine due to clear skies is also adding to the heat, he added.
“As of now, no weather phenomena are developing which could change the conditions at least for a week. In fact, temperatures will rise by 2-3 degrees till Friday and thereafter are expected to remain stable for next few days,” he predicted.
Summer arrived early this year and there have been several heat waves in the state since March. In fact, temperatures remained 3-5 degrees above normal throughout March. April too witnessed record breaking hot conditions. Temperatures remained below normal in the first 10 days of May, but a severe heat wave followed that lasted till May 21. Thundershowers, thereafter brought some relief, but now heat has revived again.
Meanwhile, according to IMD, conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest monsoon into more parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Konkan & Goa, some West Bengal and Sikkim during next two days. The normal date of monsoon arrival in UP is June 18 and Lucknow June 23.