Climate change: Unusually cool May 2025 sets multiple weather records across India

May 2025 turned out to be one of the coldest Mays in nearly a century across India, reflecting significant shifts in weather patterns amid growing concerns around climate change.

The month saw an early monsoon onset and higher-than-usual rainfall, which helped bring widespread relief from heat. As a result, both maximum and average temperatures remained consistently below normal across the country.

COLDEST MAY IN DECADES

All regions in India recorded temperatures below the long-term averages for May. Central India logged its third-lowest average maximum temperature since 1901, at 36.63 degrees Celsius - 2.63 degrees Celsius below normal - making it the coolest May since 1933. South Peninsular India registered its fifth-lowest maximum temperature on record, averaging 34.13 degrees Celsius, which is 2.25 degrees Celsius below normal, the lowest for May since 1955. These figures mark a clear departure from historical climate trends.

THUNDERSTORMS, EARLY MONSOON

Along with lower temperatures, May 2025 recorded unusually high thunderstorm activity. Several areas saw up to 20 thunderstorm days - an exceptionally high number that experts are closely studying. These intense storm systems are likely linked to altered atmospheric dynamics triggered by climate variability.

The early arrival of the monsoon and increased rainfall significantly contributed to cooler conditions, in contrast to the hot and dry climate usually associated with May. However, the suddenness and scale of these changes highlight the erratic effects of climate change on long-established weather cycles.

COOLER MAY AND GLOBAL WARMING

Despite the drop in temperatures, the cooler-than-usual May does not contradict global warming. Instead, it reflects the increasingly volatile nature of climate change. Shifts in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events point to a climate system under stress.

These changes underline the urgent need for better climate adaptation strategies and resilience planning as the world navigates the uncertainties of a rapidly changing environment.

Tune In