The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has signalled a rise in maximum temperatures over northwest and central India during next two days.

But that is about it, if forecasts from global models are to be believed. The heating trend runs a real risk of getting impaired sooner than later.

WESTERLY THREAT

A fresh western disturbance is what is threatening to put it all back to square one, as per European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

On Wednesday, the IMD too has joined the watch for this westerly system.

The heating is crucial from the monsoon point of view since it helps set up required lower pressure over land for the moisture-laden winds to race in from southwest.

The European centre has predicted the arrival of a follow-up westerly system by May 12. This could delay the formation of the ‘seasonal low' over land indefinitely.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a prevailing western disturbance was in the process of exiting the country away to the east of Kashmir.

DUST STORMS

Still, it would be able to drop rain or thundershowers at one or two places over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Dust storms or thunderstorms have been forecast over east Rajasthan and west Madhya Pradesh during the next two days.

East and northeast India too have been witnessing a lot of weather over the past few days, and would continue to do so for the present.

Rain or thundershowers would break out at many places over the North-eastern States. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim also would witness a wet spell.

Gangetic West Bengal and Orissa would see scattered showers before they scale up after two days.

WEATHER WARNING

Rain or thundershowers has been forecast over Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh from Thursday onwards.

An IMD warning said that thunder squalls might scorch the land across Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, West Bengal and Orissa.

In the south, rain or thundershowers have been forecast for Kerala, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

>vinson@thehindu.co.in

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