May weather won't hit early monsoon onset

ONE IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR A NORMAL MONSOON OVER THE COUNTRY IS FORMATION OF A SO-CALLED 'HEAT LOW' OVER NORTHWEST INDIA

- Jayashree Nandi and Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI: May has seen unusual weather in India, marked by frequent thunder- and dust-storms and below normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country, but experts are convinced that this anomaly will not affect the onset of the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to arrive early, in the last week of May.

One important factor for a normal monsoon over the country is formation of a so-called "heat low" over Northwest India. This creates a trough of low pressure that sucks moist air from the monsoon trough. In the absence of this, the monsoon may be deficient.

Right now, there is no heat-low.

"Due to frequent western disturbances and moisture incursion, we are seeing intermittent thunderstorm activity and above normal rainfall. During May, temperatures have largely been below normal or normal over most parts of the country except Rajasthan where a heat wave is being recorded in some areas," said M Mohapatra, director general IMD.

But that could change.

"During the last week of May we are expecting heat wave area to expand covering Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh," Mohapatra added.