Ludhiana: After a brief spell of relatively pleasant weather over the past week, temperatures in the city have risen sharply, marking a clear shift to summer conditions. With bright sunshine and clear skies, residents have started feeling the impact of the rising heat over the past three days.On Wednesday afternoon, maximum temperature reached 38.6 degrees Celsius, making the change in weather particularly noticeable. Similar conditions are expected to continue, with temperatures likely to climb further in the days to come.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures in Ludhiana remained below normal levels until April 13. However, from April 14 onwards, both minimum and maximum temperatures have consistently stayed above normal. IMD forecasts indicate that from April 17 onwards, temperatures are expected to remain higher than normal by around three degrees Celsius at least till April 21.The forecast suggests a slight dip in maximum temperature on April 17, when it is likely to hover around 37 degrees Celsius. However, night temperatures are expected to rise, with the minimum likely to be around 21 degrees Celsius. After this brief dip, the mercury is expected to rise again, touching around 39 degrees Celsius on April 18. Maximum temperature is likely to remain around 38 degrees Celsius on April 19 and April 20, before rising again to nearly 39 degrees Celsius on April 21. By April 22, maximum temperature may reach 40 degrees Celsius. During this period, minimum temperature is expected to stay around 22 degrees Celsius on most days, resulting in relatively warm nights.Experts attribute the sharp rise in temperature to prevailing weather conditions. Dr Pavneet Kaur Kingra, head of the department of climate change and agrometeorology, Punjab Agricultural University, said temperatures are likely to continue their gradual upward trend in the coming days. She attributed the increase in heat to the absence of cloud cover and dry weather conditions, which allow daytime temperatures to rise steadily.The recent spike in mercury followed a cooler phase earlier this month, making the heat feel more intense for residents. People who experienced mild and comfortable conditions till mid-April are now encountering typical summer heat. The sudden shift has led to discomfort in the afternoon, with many residents preferring to stay indoors as temperatures peak.Despite the heat appearing severe, meteorological records indicate that such temperatures are not unusual for this time of year. Data maintained at Punjab Agricultural University shows that on April 16 last year, maximum temperature hovered around 39.6 degrees Celsius. In 2023, maximum temperature on the same date had risen to 40 degrees Celsius, indicating that the current conditions are in line with past trends.
