After scorching days, Lucknow likely to see rain and thunderstorm activity this week

Lucknow: The state capital is likely to get relief from the ongoing heatwave later this week as a fresh western disturbance is expected to become active over north India within the next five days, according to the India Meteorological Department.The weather system may trigger thunderstorms, light rain and increased cloud cover over the Terai belt and central parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow. Officials said the change in weather could bring a slight dip in temperatures after several days of intense heat.On Sunday, Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 42.6 degrees Celsius, 2.4 degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 28.7 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 59 per cent and 18 per cent.Meteorologists said the marginal fall in daytime temperature was caused by strong winds and moisture-bearing easterlies reaching the city. Despite this, hot conditions are expected to persist over the next few days.For Monday, the Met department has forecast mainly clear skies, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to remain around 43 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius respectively. A warning for warm night conditions has also been issued.Mohammad Danish, senior scientist at IMD Lucknow, said eastern, central and Terai regions of Uttar Pradesh are likely to witness thunderstorms after the next five days as the western disturbance affects northern India.He said temperatures would continue to hover near 43 degrees Celsius in the coming days, accompanied by slightly humid conditions due to moisture-laden easterly winds moving towards the central parts of the state.