New Delhi: For most Indians, the month of May usually brings scorching heat, dry winds and temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in many cities. But this year, the weather has surprised many people across the country.
Several regions in north, east and central India have recorded temperatures much lower than normal for this time of the year. In some places, daytime temperatures were reportedly 8 to 13 degrees Celsius below average, giving people temporary relief from the usual harsh summer conditions.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), many parts of the country are expected to continue witnessing normal to below-normal maximum temperatures during May 2026.
Uttar Pradesh Records Rare Cool Weather In May
One of the most unusual examples came from Uttar Pradesh, where the Hardoi observatory reportedly recorded a maximum temperature of just 26 degrees Celsius on May 7.
Weather experts said this was the lowest May daytime temperature ever recorded at the observatory, making it a highly unusual weather event for peak summer season.In many cities across north India, people who were preparing for severe heatwaves instead experienced cloudy skies, rain and cooler winds.
What Is Causing The Sudden Drop In Temperature?
Meteorologists say one of the main reasons behind the cooler conditions is the influence of easterly winds.
These winds have helped prevent temperatures from rising sharply, especially during morning and evening hours. Along with this, repeated western disturbances brought rainfall and cloud cover across several parts of the country.
Western disturbances are weather systems that usually originate outside India and often bring rain, storms and cooler temperatures to northern regions.
Instead of continuous heatwaves, these weather systems interrupted the heat several times during March and April.
Early Summer Fears Did Not Fully Come True
At the beginning of summer, many experts had warned about extreme heat conditions during 2026.
Some parts of western and central India had already touched temperatures close to 45 degrees Celsius even before May started, raising fears of a dangerous heatwave season.
Forecasts had also predicted above-normal heatwave days between March and May.
However, the repeated rainfall and changing wind patterns prevented temperatures from rising continuously in many regions.
As a result, March and April turned out to be milder than expected in several states.
IMD Predicts More Rain In Many Regions
The IMD has said that above-normal rainfall is likely in most parts of the country during May.
However, some regions in east, northeast and east-central India may still receive below-normal rainfall.
The weather department also warned that some areas in southern, northeastern and northwestern India could continue experiencing above-normal temperatures and additional heatwave days despite the current cooler phase.
Nights Still Remain Warmer Than Normal
Even though daytime temperatures have become more comfortable in many areas, nighttime temperatures are still staying higher than usual in several parts of India.
Experts say warmer nights can increase heat stress because the body gets less time to cool down after sunset.
This means that even during cooler daytime conditions, the health impact of summer heat may still continue for vulnerable groups such as elderly people, children and outdoor workers.
Climate Concerns Still Remain
The cooler weather has arrived at a time when scientists are also closely monitoring possible El Niño conditions.
El Niño phases can affect India’s monsoon, delay rainfall and sometimes extend summer-like conditions further into the year.
Climate experts say that although short-term weather systems can temporarily reduce temperatures, long-term climate trends still point towards hotter and more intense summers in India in the future.
For now, however, many Indians are enjoying an unexpectedly pleasant May – something rarely associated with peak summer season in the country.
