PANAJI
With maximum temperature hovering between 35-37°C, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated there won’t be any relief for the people as the ‘hot and humid’ climate will continue.
The increase in depth of easterly winds from Gujarat to Kerala dominating the northern winds, strong anticyclonic circulation and delayed setting of the sea breeze are three reasons that Goa has been facing the heat that it is now.
“During strong anticyclonic circulation, the temperature tends to be significantly higher than normal; and the sea breeze that usually sets in by 10-11 am is delayed and being set at 1 pm or 2 pm due to the easterly winds, which has resulted in a rise in temperature during the day,” an IMD official told The Goan.
While the IMD has refused that Goa is facing heatwave conditions, considering that the temperature is not above 37 °C on two continuous days, which is the usual criterion; it has already issued a public advisory to stay safe from above-normal temperatures.
The last week of February recorded some of the highest temperatures with Wednesday’s (February 26) 37.6°C marking a sharp rise from 36.5°C on Tuesday (February 25) and 37.4°C on Monday (February 24). IMD officials stated that Goa has indeed experienced similar heat in the past in February, with the highest being 38°C.
“The Wednesday’s temperature was 5.2°C above normal levels, and reportedly the fifth highest in the recent past,” the official said.
Goa’s temperature on Thursday (February 27) was around 36°C and Friday (February 28) 35°C, lower than what the State experienced this week; however, with humidity levels around 79 per cent, the heat impact remained severe.
“The hot and humid conditions are very likely to prevail over Goa for the next few days, with temperatures ranging between 35°C and 37°C,” the IMD stated.
