Weather to remain warm, despite predicted rains

Chandigarh: It's time now to shed your winter wardrobe and put the woollens back in the cupboards. After a not-so-cold January, the weather is taking a turn with a gradual rise in the maximum and minimum temperatures. According to the Met department, the mercury has been witnessing a rise for the past five days. A Met official said the average maximum temperature in the first week of February has been above 20C -- a rise of around five degrees after January 25.The minimum temperature has also been rising from 4C recorded on January 25 to 9C in early February.
The Met department has predicted rains on February 7 and 8, and then again on 11 and 12. However, this month would continue to remain warm. Met director Surender Paul highlighted: "February would be warmer than usual with the maximum temperature going up to 21C, which is two to three degrees above normal. There will be rains, but overall, the month will remain warm."
Meanwhile, with the sunshine getting brighter, people have already started taking off their woollens. "It's still early February, but already it's kind of warm. I just pray we don't get a real hot summer this year," said Rahul, a Panjab University student. On Friday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 23.3C, and a minimum of 7.7C.