Akola sizzles at season high of 43.7 deg C; above normal monsoon predicted for region

Nagpur: Even as Akola posted its highest maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius, the season's highest temperature in Vidarbha, the regional meteorological centre (RMC) officials predicted on Tuesday that the southwest monsoon rainfall is likely to be above normal across Maharashtra, including Vidarbha, this year.
The forecast aligns with the long range forecast for Southwest Monsoon Seasonal Rainfall during 2025 released by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The Long Period Average (LPA) of seasonal rainfall over Vidarbha is likely to be 105% with a model error of plus or minus 5%, just like the rest of the country, officials said.
"LPA seasonal rainfall indication from statistical and dynamic models shows above normal rainfall across Maharashtra and Central India, including Vidarbha, MP, and Chhattisgarh. Below normal rains are expected only in some isolated places in Chhattisgarh. The actual dates of the onset of monsoon will be given in the second phase of the forecast by the end of May," said IMD scientist Dr Rizwan Ahmed, who is posted at RMC.
Regarding current weather conditions, Dr Ahmed said thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are predicted for Vidarbha districts for the next two days, followed by a dry and hot spell.
On Tuesday, Akola posted its highest maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius. This was also the season's highest temperature in Vidarbha. The mercury rose in Nagpur to touch 41.4 after dipping below 40 degrees in the last couple of days. The temperature in other districts also crossed 41 degrees Celsius.