Stay cool: Max temp to be below normal in AP this summer

The maximum temperatures are likely to be normal to below normal over north coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP) comprising Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, and West Godavari districts. The maximum temperatures are very likely to be below normal over south coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) comprising Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore and Rayalaseema region comprising Anantapur, YSR Kadapa, Kurnool and Chittoor districts, said the director of IMD, Amaravati, Stella S.

During March, the state will see normal to below normal maximum temperatures. The maximum temperatures are likely to be normal to above normal over NCAP, normal to below normal over SCAP, and are very likely to be below normal over the Rayalaseema region.

The IMD also said that during March, rainfall is likely to be above normal in Andhra Pradesh. Normal to above-normal rainfall is very likely over Rayalaseema and likely over NCAP and SCAP.

At present, moderate La Nina conditions prevail along the equatorial Pacific Ocean and it is expected to continue till May before turning El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral thereafter. At present, neutral IOD conditions are present over the Indian Ocean and the latest MMCFS forecast indicates that the neutral IOD conditions are likely to continue during the northern hemisphere spring and summer seasons, the IMD said.

It may be recalled that heat-wave conditions prevailed during the last week of May in 2021. Parts of Andhra Pradesh saw temperatures of 40°Celsius for over a week. The Gajuwaka area in Vizag city for the first time recorded about 42°Celsius in May 2021, which was said to be the highest in the last 43 years. The last time the city crossed 42°Celsius was on 19 May 1978. The IMD had said that 2021 was the fifth warmest for India in the last 121 years after 2016, 2009, 2017, and 2010. The mean air temperature in 2021 was 0.44°Celsius above normal.

The weathermen said that climatologically, during the La Nina years, the intensity and frequency of heatwaves are lesser. But La Nina is not the only factor causing heatwaves. The day temperatures in parts of the state increased by 1-3°Celsius. The summer in Andhra Pradesh normally commences in the third week of March and can go up to mid-June or till the time the southwest monsoon rainfall reaches the state.

Key highlights

· The Rayalaseema region will be the hottest region in AP during summer.

· The probability of heatwaves over west-central and northwest India will be higher during summer.

· The heavy rainfall and flood-related incidents claimed 46 lives and the cyclones claimed four lives in Andhra Pradesh in 2021.

· The Relative Humidity in coastal areas in AP will make for an uncomfortable summer.

· The AP government plans to ensure no power cuts during summer.

· Currently, the maximum temperatures are hovering between 30° and 36°Celsius in the state.

· Parts of Vizag Agency to witness cool weather during morning and evening hours in March.