PANAJI
Goa is already feeling the scorching heat of summer, well before the season's onset. With daytime temperatures soaring between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius, residents are grappling with unusually high temperatures. The nights are mild-to-warm at 22 degrees Celsius.
The maximum temperature of 35.7°C and minimum temperature of 21.5°C was recorded on Saturday.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa Centre has cited hot and dry air currents from the Southeast direction and the presence of a trough spanning from north Karnataka to the Vidarbha region, to the prevailing temperatures.
The IMD has further forecast that the maximum daytime temperatures are expected to remain in the range of 34-36°C, surpassing the normal by 2 to 4°C, at least until today (Sunday).
“There may be a gradual decrease in maximum temperatures in the coming days but we see no large change in the minimum temperatures over the next five days,” an IMD official said.
While the heat is getting unbearable, this month’s temperatures are a slight relief compared to the same period last year. On February 16, 2023, temperatures soared to 38.2°C, higher than 37.9°C on February 13, 2023, and 37.2°C on February 14, 2023.
February has witnessed even higher temperatures in past years: 39.2°C on February 21, 2009; 38°C on February 29, 1984; 37.7°C on February 20, 1999; 37.4°C on February 9, 2001; and 37.2°C on February 23, 1999.
