It feels like summer in February as mercury levels soar beyond 35 degrees Celsius in Andhra Pradesh

It is February and it feels like summer in Andhra Pradesh, with the mercury levels soaring beyond the 35-degrees Celsius mark at many places.

It is February and it feels like summer in Andhra Pradesh, with the mercury levels soaring beyond the 35-degrees Celsius mark at many places.

The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Rainfall and Temperature Outlook for February 2025, released on January 31, forecast above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures during the month in Andhra Pradesh.

The month’s highest so far was recorded in Nandigama of NTR district on February 4 and 5, when the maximum temperatures touched 38.4 degrees Celsius, the seventh highest in the past 20 years. It was a departure from the normal temperatures by 6 degrees Celsius on Febaruary 4 and 5.7 degrees Celsius on the next day.

Between February 1 and 8, the temperatures remained high across the State, but more pronounced in North and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the departures from the maximum temperatures ranging between 4 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius. This was seen in Machilipatnam, Tuni, Bapatla, Kalingapatnam, Visakhapatnam, and Narsapur, among other places. In Rayalaseema, the departures remained between 1 degree Celsius and 3 degrees Celsius.

There was nothing unusual about it, explains IMD, Amaravati, Director S. Stella. “Last week, anticyclonic circulation of winds prevailed over Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Dry winds, clear sky and direct sunlight led to the rise in the temperatures,” she said.

Much to the relief of the people, the maximum temperatures have seen a slight decline on February 9 and 10. However, the IMD’s weekly forecast does not guarantee an extended relief as the maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal by 2 degrees Celsius to 4 degrees Celsius across the State until February 13.

On Monday, Nandigama registered a maximum temperature of 35.3 degrees Celsius, while the day’s highest was recorded in Kurnool, at 35.7 degrees Celsius, a departure from the normal by 1.7 degrees Celsius.