The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said the country is likely to record a milder May this year, with daytime temperatures expected to remain normal or below-normal across most parts of India. Officials said that however, the night-time temperatures may surge in several regions, drawing a contrast between cooler days and warmer nights.

The parts of Northwest India, along with pockets of Central India, adjoining peninsular regions and southern areas of the Northeast may see normal to below-normal minimum temperatures, it added.

Western disturbances, thunderstorms to dominate

The IMD officials have attributed an expected dip in the daytime to an increase in thunderstorm activity, coupled with a higher frequency of Western disturbances. Meteorologists have observed a steady rise in such systems since March 2026, aided by moisture inflow from the Arabian Sea. The aforementioned disturbances are expected to bring about widespread rainfall and storm activity through May.

Furthermore, the IMD has projected an above-normal rainfall for May, exceeding 110% of the long period average of 61.4 mm, based on data from 1971 to 2020. Most regions will likely record normal to above-normal rainfall, though parts of east, northeast and east-Central India may suffer from below-normal precipitation.

Heatwaves to blow in these regions

Despite the overall milder outlook, certain areas will have to endure more heatwave days than usual, such as Himalayan foothills, east coast states, Gujarat and Maharashtra. In these areas, the mercury could spike intermittently.

As per IMD’s estimates, these regions may register three to four additional heatwave days during the month.

Early showers predicted for May

The IMD’s extended outlook has indicated heightened downpour over east and northeast India in the first week of May, while northwest Indian may reel under higher temperatures during the second and the fourth weeks.

Meanwhile, southwesterly winds are expected to gain pace over the Bay of Bengal between May 14 to 20, signalling the gradual progression towards the southwest monsoon, which typically reaches the Andaman Sea at around May 20.

Also read: Mercury soars past 40°C in Kerala: IMD sounds orange alert, authorities suspend student activities amid scorching temperatures