Ahmedabad: Residents stepping out in Ahmedabad on Monday were met with sweltering heat and high humidity, making outdoor conditions particularly uncomfortable. The city recorded Gujarat’s highest maximum temperature at 42.2°C, which was 1.3 degrees above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The previous night offered little respite, as the minimum temperature remained at 29.9°C, 1.8 degrees above the seasonal average. It was the moisture in the air that added significantly to the discomfort. Relative humidity stood at 62% at 8:30 am before dropping to 36% by 5:30 pm, creating persistently hot and humid conditions throughout the day.

Ahmedabad was among the hottest locations in the state, followed by Bhavnagar at 41.4°C, which was 2.4 degrees above normal, and Surendranagar at 41.2°C. Rajkot also recorded a high temperature of 40.6°C, while Deesa touched 40.1°C. In contrast, coastal areas remained relatively cooler, with Surat recording 35.2°C, Porbandar 35°C, Dwarka 33°C, and Veraval 33.8°C.

According to the IMD, similar weather conditions are likely to continue on Tuesday, with hot and humid conditions expected to persist across much of Gujarat over the next seven days.

Despite the uncomfortable weather, there are signs of relief on the horizon. The IMD said conditions are becoming increasingly favourable for the advance of the southwest monsoon over parts of the central Arabian Sea, Karnataka, and Telangana.

For Gujarat, the first signs of monsoon activity may arrive in South Gujarat, where light to moderate pre-monsoon showers are expected by the weekend, offering some respite from the prevailing heat and humidity. DeshGujarat

Today’s Weather Report (Reported on 0830 IST)