Sandeep.Rana1@timesofindia.comChandigarh: Tricity is likely to witness normal to below-normal rainfall during the upcoming southwest monsoon season (June to Sept), according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).The IMD’s probabilistic forecast for the season indicates normal to below-normal rainfall over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The updated long-range forecast also suggests that below-normal rainfall is most likely across the country as a whole during the monsoon period.For June, the weather department has predicted normal to below-normal maximum and minimum temperatures.This outlook comes after a significantly wet May, during which Chandigarh recorded 50.1mm rainfall against the normal average of 22.8mm — a 120% excess. According to the meteorological centre, May marks the final month of the pre-monsoon season (March to May), and the above-normal rainfall brought relief from intense summer heat.Data shows that while May 2026 ranked among the wetter months in recent years, it remained below the record 106.5mm rainfall recorded in May 2023. Last year, the city received 66mm rainfall during the month.The highest single-day rainfall this May was 19.7mm on May 3, while total rainfall at the Chandigarh observatory stood at 54.2mm.Despite intermittent showers, temperatures remained high. The city recorded a peak of 44.4 degrees Celsius on May 21, with the average maximum for the month at 37.4 degrees Celsius.Meanwhile, temperatures dropped in the last two days, offering relief to residents. On Saturday, the maximum temperature settled at 32 degrees Celsius, nearly 7 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was 20.4 degrees Celsius, about 6 degrees below normal.As per the IMD forecast, Chandigarh is likely to see partly cloudy skies over the next few days, with chances of light rain or thunderstorms on June 1. Thereafter, conditions are expected to remain largely dry. Maximum temperatures may rise from 36 degrees Celsius on June 1 to around 40 degrees Celsius by June 3 and 4. Minimum temperatures are expected to hover between 24 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius.BOX: May rainfall in Chandigarh (2013–2026)Year — Rainfall (mm)2013 — 14.82014 — 57.12015 — 17.42016 — 59.52017 — 5.72018 — 13.02019 — 20.42020 — 54.52021 — 60.82022 — 26.22023 — 106.5 (highest)2024 — 0.0 (lowest)2025 — 66.02026 — 50.1Key points:Normal rainfall: 22.8 mm2026 departure: +120% (excess)
