Sweat factor set to rise in coming days

Sweat factor set to rise in coming days
Sunday April 20 2008 10:38 IST

Bosky Khanna
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BANGALORE: BANGALORE is likely to have a torrid summer with temperature tipped to soar as high as 370C over the next few days.

According to the Meteorological Department, the normal temperature in April is 33.60C as the sky is clear leading to high temperatures till evening. The temperature is expected to rise to 36.40C to 370C. Extreme temperature in May is also likely to increase till May 15.

Bangalore Meteorological Department director- in-charge Dr A Muthachami told The New Indian Express that this rise in temperature was a normal during summer.

''For 30 years, the temperature has been soaring high. This rise is directly proportional to local and global climactic conditions. However, this year is not a 'warm year’ as the temperatures have not shown any drastic fluctuations,’’ he said.

A ‘warm year’ is when out of 30 days in a month, 20 days are warm and the temperatures recorded are 2-30C above normal. These are heat wave conditions.

Warm years recorded were in 1998 and 2002. The months of April and May in 1931 recorded the highest temperatures ever of 38.30C and 38.90C. In April 1983, a maximum of 37.70C was recorded.

However, the Met department also expects a reprieve from this heat through summer showers in the next couple of days. These showers are likely to reduce the temperature to 300C.

''In another 2- 3 days, a trough in coastal Karnataka and Western Ghats which is travelling to eastern Karnataka, will bring rainfall. A trough is an extension of the low pressure area causing winds to blow in. Presently, coastal Karnataka and the Western Ghats are experiencing summer showers.

Temperature is expected to dip to 300C and would continue for a couple of days after which the temperature would again increase upto 370C.

''Intensity of rainfall would determine the number of days Bangalore will experience summer showers,’’ added Muthachami.