Weather office forecasts warmer than usual March, following warmest February since 1901

India Meteorological Department predicts above-normal temperatures for March, except in some parts of Peninsular India, with increased heatwave days.

India is likely to experience a warmer than usual March with a good number of heat wave days, the weather office said on Friday (February 28, 2025), signalling the start of summer across the country.

Addressing a virtual press conference, D. Sivandanda Pai, a senior weather scientist at the India Meteorological Department, said monthly maximum temperatures for March are likely to be above normal over most parts of the country, except some southernmost parts of Peninsular India.

Mr. Pai said below normal maximum temperatures were likely in the southern peninsular region.

The prediction for a warmer March comes as the country experienced the warmest February since 1901 with mean temperature of 22.04 degrees Celsius, which was 1.34 degrees above the normal of 20.70 degrees.

Asked about the impact of the warm weather conditions on the rabi crop, Mr. Pai said as per his discussions with the experts from the Agriculture ministry nearly 60% of wheat grown in the country was a heat resistant variety.

Rainfall across the country in February was 10.9 mm – 18th lowest since 1901 and the fifth lowest since 2001, Mr. Pai said.

He said rainfall over South peninsular India at 1.2 mm was the 10th lowest since 1901 and the fourth lowest since 2001.