March ends on cooler note in AP, IMD warns of above-normal heatwave days in April

Visakhapatnam: After a warm start and possible heat waves forecast marked an early onset of summer across Andhra Pradesh in March 2026, the first month of summer has ended with normal temperatures, all thanks to thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday projected an above-normal number of heatwave days in most parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and some parts of the Rayalaseema in the state in April 2026 and rainfall is most likely to be above normal.Parts of the Rayalaseema as well as coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh received normal rainfall in the second and third week of March that helped keep temperatures (between 34°C and 38°C) in check.As per the IMD, between March 1 and March 31, Andhra Pradesh recorded a rainfall of 11.8 mm as against the normal average rainfall of 12.2 mm. Light to moderate rainfall and hailstorm accompanied by lightning, gusty winds lashed parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema regions for three to four days in the third week of March. Though Andhra Pradesh recorded normal rainfall, March ended with a cooler note. Very few parts in the state experienced heatwave-like conditions for one or two days in March while the remaining days remained normal to below normal temperatures in the state, said weathermen. Few parts of the Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh recorded the maximum temperature of 40°C for a few days only in March, they added. As per the IMD, Rayalaseema region (comprising eight districts) recorded a rainfall of 10 mm as against the normal average rainfall of 9.7 mm while coastal Andhra Pradesh (comprising 18 district and Yanam) recorded 13.3 mm of rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 13.9 mm in March 2026.Among all the districts in the state, Guntur recorded the excess rainfall of 230 per cent (37.2 mm rainfall) in March-2026, followed by Parvathipuram Manyam (107 percent excess, 55.9 mm of rainfall) and 90 per cent excess rainfall in Tirupati (16.9 mm rainfall )For April, however, the IMD indicated that many parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh are likely to witness heatwave days. The maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal over many parts of the coastal as well as Rayalaseema regions. The minimum temperatures are likely to be above normal over many parts of the state in April 2026.