The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for widespread and prolonged heatwave conditions across several regions of India throughout May. Parts of east, central, and northwest India, along with sections of the southern peninsula, are expected to experience extreme heat. This forecast arrives even as many states continue to grapple with thunderstorms, hailstorms, and heavy rainfall—a seemingly contradictory weather pattern that has puzzled many residents.
India Braces for Extreme Heat
Climate scientists consistently highlight how global warming intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. For India, this translates into an anticipation of above-normal heatwave days in May. The IMD’s seasonal outlook for April-June 2026 specifically identifies several regions at high risk.
Regions Under Threat
- Northwest India: Including Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Central India: Encompassing Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha.
- Eastern India: Specific parts of the eastern region.
- Southeast Peninsula: Certain areas within the southern peninsula.
Temperatures have already soared, with many areas recording 44-45 degrees Celsius. Notably, Akola and Amravati in Maharashtra recently hit 45.6 degrees Celsius, ranking among the hottest places globally during this period. The IMD also cautions that warm nights and humid coastal conditions could exacerbate heat stress, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, outdoor workers, and the elderly.
Understanding the Dual Weather Phenomenon
The simultaneous occurrence of intense heatwaves and hailstorms appears counterintuitive. Hail typically forms in robust thunderstorms under cold upper atmospheric conditions, while heatwaves are characterized by extreme surface heating. However, meteorologists explain that India’s vast geography and the interaction of multiple concurrent weather systems allow for both.
Western Disturbances and Hot Air Collide
A primary reason for this phenomenon is the recurring arrival of western disturbances. These weather systems originate in the Mediterranean region, bringing moisture and atmospheric instability to northern India. Currently, these disturbances are interacting with the intensely hot surface temperatures prevalent across the plains.
This collision creates violent atmospheric instability, leading to:
- Thunderstorms and lightning.
- Gusty winds.
- Sudden rain spells and hailstorms.
Conversely, areas not directly impacted by these disturbances continue to experience dry continental heat.
Extremely High Surface Temperatures
During May, land temperatures across India rise sharply due to intense solar radiation. Large interior regions routinely exceed 40 degrees Celsius before the monsoon season begins. This intense heating generates powerful upward movements of hot air. When moisture from western disturbances or local atmospheric circulations mixes with this superheated air, towering thunderclouds rapidly develop, capable of producing hailstones in severe instances.
Climate Change's Role in Erratic Weather
Climate scientists consistently warn that global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Rising baseline temperatures are making Indian heatwaves longer and more severe. Concurrently, warmer air can retain more moisture, elevating the potential for intense, short-duration rainfall and severe thunderstorms. Experts refer to this rapid oscillation between extreme heat and severe storms as “weather whiplash,” a pattern becoming increasingly common across South Asia.