The India Meteorological Department (IMD) centre in Amaravati has forecast a complex weather pattern for Andhra Pradesh over the next five days, marked by widespread thunderstorm activity and increasing wind speeds, even as coastal districts are likely to witness a gradual rise in temperatures later next week.

While cumulonimbus cloud formation is expected to provide temporary relief from intense daytime heat, meteorological officials have indicated that harsher summer conditions may return soon.

Maximum temperatures across Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are likely to remain stable for the next four days before gradually increasing by 2°C to 3°C over the following three days, potentially reviving heatwave conditions.

In contrast, Rayalaseema is expected to witness no significant change in maximum temperatures during the next five days.

According to the weather bulletin issued on Sunday, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema till May 21. These localised weather developments may bring intermittent rainfall, offering temporary respite from the summer heat, while also posing risks to commuters and agricultural operations.

The IMD has warned that gusty winds accompanying the thunderstorms are expected to intensify as the week progresses. On May 18, wind speeds of 30 kmph to 40 kmph are likely at isolated places across the State.

By Tuesday (May 19), North Coastal Andhra Pradesh is expected to continue witnessing winds of similar intensity, while South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema may experience stronger gusts reaching 40 kmph to 50 kmph.

The weather activity is expected to peak on May 20 and 21, with the IMD predicting gusty winds of 50 kmph to 60 kmph during thundershowers in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. North Coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to continue experiencing winds of 30 kmph to 40 kmph.

Speaking on the progress of the southwest monsoon, IMD Amaravati Director S. Stella told The Hindu that all atmospheric conditions are favourable for an early onset over Kerala around May 26, with a model error margin of plus or minus four days, nearly a week ahead of the normal onset date of June 1. She added that June 5 is the normal onset date for Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) warned of extreme heatwave conditions in 28 mandals on Monday and 84 mandals on Tuesday. The SDMA also said there is a possibility of light rain accompanied by lightning at a few places in Parvatipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Polavaram, Kurnool, Anantapur and Chittoor districts on Monday.

On Sunday, the highest temperature of 43.3°C was recorded at Cumbum in Markapuram district, followed by 42.8°C at Allagadda in Nandyal district.