A stark contrast in weather was experienced across the State as intense summer heat coexists with isolated thunderstorm activity driven by multiple active weather systems. According to the daily weather update, a western disturbance is currently persisting as a trough in the middle tropospheric westerlies, while an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over East Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, an east-west trough is running from West Madhya Pradesh all the way to North Bangladesh. These systems have triggered scattered rainfall and high-velocity winds across parts of the state even as temperatures continue to climb. Rainfall was recorded at a few places in the Shahdol division and at isolated pockets within the Gwalior, Rewa, Jabalpur, and Sagar divisions, while the rest of the state remained completely dry. The highest rainfall was recorded in Mawai at 17.6 mm, followed by Nowrozabad at 13.0 mm and Ghughri at 11.0 mm. Significant gusty winds and storms were also reported across the region, with Jabalpur Airport recording wind speeds of 46 km/h, followed closely by Ashoknagar at 43 km/h and Amarkantak at 39 km/h. Dust storms also rattled parts of Ashoknagar and Vidisha. In terms of temperature volatility, maximum temperatures showed no significant changes across the state but remained 1.9°C to 3.0°C above normal in the districts of Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Sagar divisions. Vidisha and Nowgong recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at a scorching 44.8°C, while Khargone followed closely at 44.6°C.

 

Conversely, Pachmarhi recorded the state’s lowest maximum temperature at 36.4°C and the lowest minimum temperature at 19.4°C. Minimum temperatures stayed 2.2°C to 2.7°C above normal in Ujjain, Gwalior, Rewa, and Shahdol divisions, with Talun in Barwani recording the highest minimum temperature at 30.5°C. A severe heatwave prevailed in Ratlam, while Mandla experienced a stifling ‘warm night’. In Bhopal, the morning observations recorded a minimum temperature of 29.8°C, which is 3.5°C above the seasonal average, while the maximum temperature reached 43.4°C. The local forecast for Bhopal and its neighbourhood indicates a mainly clear sky with continuing heatwave conditions. Average wind speeds are expected to hover between 10 to 12 km/h, with temperatures likely peaking at 43°C and dipping to 29°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a two-day outlook predicting no large changes in the current pattern, after which maximum temperatures are expected to rise further by 2°C to 3°C across the state. Forecast suggest intense heatwave conditions. A dual warning for heatwave and ‘warm night’ conditions has been placed over isolated pockets of Indore and Guna, while standalone heatwave warnings are in effect for Dhar, Ratlam, Ujjain, Dewas, Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Shajapur, Agar, Datia, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari.