New Delhi, Feb 28 (NationPress) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted an above-normal occurrence of heatwave days across numerous regions in east and east-central India, significant sections of the southeast Peninsula, and parts of northwest and west-central India from March to May. This prediction comes as part of their latest weather outlook for the approaching hot season.

Particularly, the forecast indicates that Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh will experience above-normal heatwave days in March 2026.

In addition, the IMD anticipates that during the forthcoming hot weather period (March to May), maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal throughout most of the nation.

For March 2026, the IMD predicts normal to above-normal rainfall in various regions, with the exception of northeast India and some areas in northwest and east-central India, which may see below-normal rainfall.

The monthly maximum temperatures in March 2026 are expected to be normal to below normal in many areas, except for northeast India, adjacent regions in east India, and certain parts of the Western Himalayan region and central & Peninsular India, where above-normal maximum temperatures are anticipated, according to the forecast.

Moreover, the IMD highlighted that monthly minimum temperatures are likely to remain above normal across most of the country, with exceptions in some areas of Northwest India, the South Peninsula, and along the east coast, where normal to below-normal minimum temperatures are expected during March 2026.

During the March to May season, above-normal minimum temperatures are very likely for most areas, excluding isolated regions in the South Peninsular India and some other parts of the country, where normal to below-normal minimum temperatures could prevail.

Since 2016, the IMD, functioning under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has been providing seasonal temperature forecasts for the country, which encompass both hot and cold seasons. The IMD has been enhancing the consistency and accuracy of its forecasting models continuously, as noted in their statement.

Currently, seasonal forecasts are produced using a newly established Multi-Model Ensemble (MME)–based forecasting system. This methodology combines outputs from various coupled global climate models (CGCMs) developed by prominent climate prediction and research institutions worldwide, including the Monsoon Mission Climate Forecast System (MMCFS) model by the IMD, to boost forecast reliability and effectiveness.

The IMD has prepared seasonal and monthly temperature forecasts for the upcoming hot weather season (March to May 2026), as stated in their announcement.