City witnesses coldest May day ever

Sandeep.Rana1@timesofindia.comChandigarh: Rain on Saturday brought about a drastic change in weather, with the city recording its coldest May day in decades. The day temperature dropped by 10.3 degrees Celsius in 24 hours.The maximum temperature fell to 25.3 degrees Celsius on Saturday from 35.6 degrees Celsius recorded on Friday. This was 15 degrees below normal.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this is the lowest maximum temperature recorded in May since 1969, when Chandigarh’s weather data became available.On Saturday, the city also broke the record for the lowest maximum temperature for the month — 25.7 degrees Celsius recorded on May 2, 2023. The earlier lowest temperatures include 26.4 degrees Celsius on May 5, 2025, and 27.4 degrees Celsius on May 1, 1969.The minimum temperature also dropped by 5 degrees in 24 hours — from 23 degrees Celsius on Friday to 18 degrees Celsius on Saturday. This is eight degrees below normal. In previous years, the lowest minimum temperature in May has typically remained between 17 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius.As for rainfall, 6.4mm was recorded between 8:30am on Friday and 8:30am on Saturday. Rainfall increased further during the day.Between 8:30am and 5:30pm on Saturday, 18.2mm rainfall was recorded at the Sector 39 observatory.After a long time, residents switched off their air conditioners. Rain had been forecast for the past two days, but the weather had remained dry.In the ongoing season from March 1 till now, 129.6mm rainfall has been recorded, which is 104.4% above normal.The weather department has issued a rain forecast for Sunday as well. “Partly cloudy sky with thunderstorm/light rain” is expected. Similar conditions are likely over the next two days.Thereafter, the sky is expected to remain mostly clear. By June 4, the maximum temperature is likely to gradually rise to 37 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may settle around 22 degrees Celsius.BOX Lowest max temp in May (since 1969)26.4°C — May 5, 202527.4°C — May 1, 196927.2°C — May 1, 196927.4°C — May 20, 202127.6°C — May 13, 201328.4°C — May 4, 202328.9°C — May 18, 197329.0°C — May 14, 202129.6°C — May 25, 202225.7°C — May 2, 202325.3°C — May 30, 2026