Nashik records second-highest April maximum temperature at 41.5°C

Nashik: The district on Saturday recorded its second all-time highest maximum temperature for April, with the mercury soaring to 41.5°C— 3.9 degrees above the normal for this time of year — while minimum temperature also remained unusually high at 22.3°C, or 1.6 degrees above average.The spike came after the city hovered near the 40-degree mark for several days, breaching it following a sharp two-degree rise within 24 hours from Friday's 39.6°C. According to Sushma Nair, a scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, the highest April temperature ever recorded in Nashik stands at 42.8°C, logged on April 28, 2019, and current temperatures are expected to remain around similar levels for the next few days.Meteorological officials attributed the intense heat to strong northerly winds carrying hot air from arid regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Clear skies are further worsening conditions by allowing maximum solar radiation to heat up the land surface.Neighbouring regions are experiencing even harsher conditions, with Malegaon recording 43.4°C — 2.4 degrees above normal —along with a minimum temperature of 23.2°C, which is 2.1 degrees above average. Jalgaon also sizzled at 43.3°C, exceeding its normal maximum by 1.6 degrees.While no formal heatwave warning has been issued, IMD officials have advised people to avoid stepping out unless necessary, take precautions against heat-related illness, and stay well hydrated as hot northerly winds continue to dominate regional weather conditions.