Alappuzha: By mid-February, temperatures in Kerala have already started rising, with meteorologists predicting even hotter days ahead. The ‘feel-like’ temperature, which takes into account the high humidity, will be much higher than the actual air temperature, making the heat unbearable for many in the coming days.
While coastal areas will see slightly milder heat due to sea breezes, the interior regions, especially in the eastern parts of Kerala, will experience intense ‘scorching heat.’ According to private weather monitoring firm MetBeat Weather, temperatures are expected to rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal in many districts across the state.
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Possible heatwave in Kerala
Meteorologists are warning that Kerala could face a heatwave in the coming days. A heatwave is defined when air temperatures in the plains reach 40°C and 30°C in the hilly areas. On Saturday, Palakkad recorded the highest temperature in the country, at 38°C, a clear sign that extreme heat is becoming more frequent.
Heatwaves are typically observed in India from March to May, but they are less common in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kerala experienced its first heatwave in 2016, a year when extreme climate change impacts began to be observed in the region.
La Niña and Kerala’s summer heat
Despite the presence of La Niña, a phenomenon characterised by cooler temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, the heat will continue. La Niña, expected to persist until May, is actually favourable for the upcoming summer monsoon in Kerala, though it does little to reduce the scorching temperatures.
India experienced its third warmest January on record since 1901, with temperatures 0.94°C higher than the long-term average. The other warmest Januaries on record were in 1958 and 1990. The Indian Meteorological Department forecasts that February will see continued rising temperatures, following the unusually warm start to the year.
A clear indicator of the increasing heat is the appearance of dust storms across the state. Last Wednesday, a dust storm was observed at St. Antony’s Higher Secondary School in Ammadam, Thrissur. Similar phenomena were also reported a few days earlier in Udayamperoor in Ernakulam district.
Published: 20 Feb 2025, 09:59 am IST
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