Light showers to bring relief from heat in Andhra Pradesh

Light to moderate showers, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, are likely to bring respite from the heat to the people of Andhra Pradesh. According to the weekly forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD)-Amaravati, light to moderate showers are likely to be widespread across the State on March 19, 20 and 21. On March 17 and 18, dry weather may prevail, except in one or two places where light showers could occur.

While there would not be much change in maximum temperatures in a few places in the State on March 17, the mercury will gradual fall by 2-3° on March 18, 19 and 20. Gusty winds, with speed reaching 50 kmph, are also likely in the State.

According to the IMD, there are two systems influencing the weather in the State. There is a trough that runs from North Interior Karnataka to Comorin Area across South Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu at 0.9 km above mean sea level. There is an upper air cyclonic circulation over North coastal Tamil Nadu at 1.5 km above mean sea level. Also, lower tropospheric Southerly/South Westerly winds are prevailing over Andhra Pradesh.

After intense heat in the first week of March, the State has seen a drop in maximum temperatures, which have remained around 38-39° Celsius in Rayalaseema, and around 35-36° Celsius in Central A.P.. There have been major deviations from normal temperatures since March 11.

On Monday, the day’s highest 38.6° Celsius was recorded in Anantapur. Ongole reported 32.9° Celsius, Amaravati 34.6° Celsius, Machilipatnam 32.9° Celsius, and Visakhapatnam 31.4° Celsius.