Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad & more regions hit 40°C in March: Why experts say spring is disappearing and how heatwave could roast you ahead

Large parts of India, including New Delhi, are experiencing unusually high temperatures much earlier than expected this year. Experts say the rising heat even before spring has properly begun may be another sign that climate change is increasingly disrupting traditional seasonal weather patterns.

According to an analysis by Climate Trends, warming temperatures are now overriding natural climate cycles that once moderated global weather conditions.

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Early Heat in Delhi Signals Shrinking Spring Season

Delhi recorded its hottest day of the year on March 11, when the maximum temperature reached 36.8°C. This also marked the highest temperature recorded in the first half of March since 2011.

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In recent weeks, daytime temperatures across the Delhi–NCR region have hovered around 35°C, which is 5°C to 7°C above the seasonal average. Night temperatures have also remained unusually high, staying around 17°C, roughly 3°C to 4°C above normal levels.

Meteorologists say the early rise in temperatures suggests that winter is becoming shorter and the spring season is gradually disappearing, a trend that is increasingly visible across northern India.

Climate Change Overriding La Niña Cooling Effect

Interestingly, the warmer conditions are occurring despite the presence of La Niña, a climate phenomenon that typically brings cooler global temperatures.

La Niña is characterised by cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which usually helps moderate global heat.

However, experts say rising greenhouse gas emissions and long-term global warming are now overpowering these natural cooling cycles, leading to higher overall temperatures.

India’s Rising Temperatures Reflect Global Warming Trends

Climate data shows that 2025 recorded an all-India mean land surface temperature 0.28°C above the 1991–2020 average, making it the eighth warmest year in India since 1901.

Scientists also point out that all of the past eleven years have ranked among the warmest on record, highlighting how long-term climate warming is becoming the dominant factor influencing weather patterns.

IMD Warns of More Heatwave Days Across India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that above-normal heatwave conditions are likely across much of the country between March and May.

Meteorologists believe the early heatwave conditions seen in Delhi could be an indication of a hotter-than-usual summer season ahead.

According to Mahesh Palawat, Vice-President for Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather, a persistent anti-cyclonic circulation over Gujarat pushed warm easterly winds towards Delhi and delayed the cooling sea breeze.

He explained that while such systems occur naturally, climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves as baseline temperatures continue to rise.

Lack of Winter Rainfall Contributing to Rising Temperatures

Another factor behind the unusual warmth is the lack of winter rainfall and snowfall across northern India.

February experienced a massive 81% rainfall deficit, receiving only 4.2 mm of rain compared with the normal 22.7 mm.

Although nine western disturbances passed through the Western Himalayas, almost double the usual number, most of them were too weak to produce significant rainfall or snowfall.

This lack of precipitation allowed temperatures to rise more rapidly than usual.

Heatwave Conditions Reported Beyond Delhi

The unusually warm weather has not been limited to Delhi alone. The analysis noted that Mumbai recorded 40°C on March 10, about 7.6°C above the normal temperature, triggering severe heatwave conditions.

Heatwave alerts were also reported in parts of Himachal Pradesh and the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, where temperatures rose several degrees above the seasonal average.

Inputs from TOI