Chandigarh: Residents across Punjab are set to experience substantial relief from the prolonged, intense heatwave as pre-monsoon weather patterns strengthen across the region starting July 1. According to the meteorological department, the incoming weather system will trigger scattered to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and high-velocity winds in multiple districts over the coming days. The shifting atmospheric conditions are expected to bring down maximum daily temperatures significantly, altering the persistent heatwave grip on the state. Ahead of this systemic shift, Pathankot witnessed early morning rain showers on Tuesday, accompanied by persistent cloud cover that brought an immediate, pleasant cooling effect to the city.
The weather office has forecast partly cloudy skies for Chandigarh and Punjab from June 30 through July 4, with high probabilities of light rain, drizzle, and localized thunderstorms. This transition follows a period of extreme summer conditions, where despite a marginal state-wide average temperature dip of 0.6 degrees Celsius on Monday, temperatures remained nearly two degrees above seasonal averages. Bathinda recorded the state’s highest maximum temperature at 44.4 degrees Celsius. While no severe weather warnings were issued for Tuesday, June 30, regional meteorologists noted that isolated overcast conditions and brief spells of light drizzling remain highly possible across several zones.
A formal yellow alert has been issued starting July 1 for northern and eastern districts, warning of impending thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. The high-alert zones include Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gudaaspur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Roopnagar, Mohali, Patiala, Sangrur, and Pathankot. Conversely, southwestern and central agricultural plains are expected to experience milder transitions, with the weather department issuing no adverse warnings for Fazilka, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Moga, Faridkot, Bathinda, Mansa, and Barnala districts during the initial phase of the pre-monsoon advance.
