Light to moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning are likely to bring relief from the heat to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Light to moderate showers are likely to spread over the state on March 19, 20 and 21, according to the weekly forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD)-Amaravati. Dry weather may prevail on March 17 and 18, except for one or two spots where light showers may occur.
While there would not be much change in maximum temperatures at several places in the state on March 17, the mercury will gradually drop by 2-3° on March 18, 19 and 20. Gusty winds of up to 50 kmph are also likely in the state.
According to the IMD, there are two systems affecting the state’s weather. There is a trough that runs from North Interior Karnataka to Comorin Area via South Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu at 0.9 km above mean sea level. There is an upper air cyclonic circulation over northern coastal Tamil Nadu at a height of 1.5 km above sea level. Lower tropospheric southerly/southwesterly winds also prevail over Andhra Pradesh.
After intense heat in the first week of March, the state saw a drop in maximum temperatures which remained around 38-39° Celsius in Rayalaseema and around 35-36° Celsius in Central AP. Since March 11, there have been large temperature deviations from normal.
On Monday, the daily high of 38.6° Celsius was measured in Anantapur. Ongole reported 32.9° Celsius, Amaravati 34.6° Celsius, Machilipatnam 32.9° Celsius and Visakhapatnam 31.4° Celsius.
Published – 16 March 2026 19:57 IST
