Heatwave alert across India from March to May: Will 2026 be hotter than 2024 when temperatures soared past 50°C?

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India is experiencing an unusually early spell of intense heat in 2026. The temperatures soared well above seasonal averages across several parts of the country in the first week of March.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), many regions recorded temperatures 4°C to 8°C above normal. IMD has also issued early alerts for above-normal maximum temperatures across most of India from March to May 2026.

The weather agency has cautioned that multiple states may experience extended periods of intense heat as the summer season progresses.

According to weather forecasters, the summer of 2026 is likely to be a “scorching preview" of the record-breaking heat seen in 2024, with some experts warning it could even mirror or surpass those extreme conditions, as reported by News18.

From April-June in 2024, India experienced its longest heatwave since 2010, with temperatures in several regions hovering around 50°C for weeks.

Mungeshpur area in Delhi recorded a staggering 52.3° C on May 29, though it was later attributed to a possible sensor error. But Phalodi in Rajasthan witnessed 51 degrees Celsius and mercury in Haryana's Sirsa reached 50.3 degrees Celsius.

2026 is forecast to be the fourth consecutive year with average global temperatures rising by at least above pre-industrial levels.

February 2026 was also recorded as one of the warmest since 1901, with temperatures in many regions feeling like late March.

A transition from La Niña to El Niño conditions is expected by mid-2026. Historically, El Niño events in India are linked to intense heatwaves and potential monsoon irregularities.