Ahmedabad: Amdavadis received a surprise cool-off on Friday as the mercury tumbled 5.5°C in just one day, offering the city a breather from the brutal heat. The maximum temperature, which touched a sweltering 43.3°C on Thursday, dropped to 37.8°C — a welcome dip. Light breezes during morning and evening hours added to the relief. But brace yourself: this break from the heat won’t last long.
While the day cooled significantly, the minimum temperature stayed on the warmer side at 25.7°C, 1.9 degrees above normal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the maximum temperature will be around 40°C on Saturday.
The Met officials attributed the dip to a brief weather change and predicted a similar trend for the next two days. Light breezes on Friday morning and evening offered residents a much-needed break after five consecutive days of 41°C-plus highs. However, the relief is expected to be short-lived.
A fall of 2-3°C is expected over the weekend, but beginning April 15, the mercury is forecast to climb again, returning to the 40-44°C range across parts of Gujarat. Isolated heatwave conditions are likely from April 15 to 17, especially in northern and coastal districts.
The forecast issued a yellow alert for Banaskantha and Sabarkantha on April 15, with Rajkot and Kutch joining the two districts on April 16 and 17. Coastal areas may also feel the double whammy of rising temperatures and sticky humidity.
Among major cities, Rajkot recorded the highest maximum on Friday at 40.3°C, followed by Surendranagar at 39.3°C, Bhavnagar at 39°C, and Kandla at 38.8°C.