March Brings Early Summer Heat, Weather Worries Grow

March 1, 2026

Uttar Pradesh: March 1 marks the official transition from winter to the onset of summer. This year, the arrival of March has also brought rising concerns about unusually high temperatures. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), March 2025 could rank among the hottest on record.

Meteorologists warn that maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to remain well above normal, especially across northern and northwestern India.

In March 2025, many districts recorded temperatures between 35°C and 38°C. This year, temperatures are expected to rise 3–4°C higher than the seasonal average, raising fears of early heatwaves and their impact on daily life and agriculture.

This has led to growing questions: How intense will the heat be this March? How severe could the temperature rise become? And what impact will it have on crops and farming communities?

Winter Was Milder Than Usual

Mahesh Palawat, a meteorologist at Skymet Weather in Noida, said that Uttar Pradesh experienced a noticeably warmer winter compared to the past two years.

“Both maximum and minimum temperatures in December and January remained above normal. There were no intense cold spells this season. The absence of an active La Niña phase meant the winter cold was relatively mild,” he explained.

Fewer Western Disturbances, Less Winter Rain

This assessment is echoed by Mohammad Danish, a scientist at the Lucknow Meteorological Center.

He noted that western disturbances were less frequent this winter, which led to below-normal rainfall across the state. “Reduced activity of western disturbances meant that Uttar Pradesh received less winter rainfall than usual, contributing to warmer conditions and drier weather,” he said.

What This Means Going Forward

With winter warmth, low rainfall, and rising temperatures already in place, March is likely to see an early and intense spell of heat. Experts warn that this could put stress on crops, water availability, and public health, particularly in northern and northwestern regions.