Bengaluru weather: After dry March, April & May may see excess pre-monsoon rain

BENGALURU: Contrary to IMD's forecast of surplus pre-monsoon showers in Bengaluru and adjoining districts of south-interior Karnataka, the city ended March with a prolonged dry spell and deficit rainfall.
In fact, Bengaluru saw a rainfall deficit of 2.9mm. However, unlike the harsh 2024 during which the city saw near-record temperatures, mercury levels were on par with the average mark.
Officials at IMD, Bengaluru, said they are pinning hopes on April and May, which are likely to bring in 30-40% excess pre-monsoon rain over the city.
CS Patil, scientist at IMD Bengaluru, said on average, the city receives 14.5 mm to 20 mm rainfall during March, which is the first month of pre-monsoon showers during summer. However, both the city and HAL observatory of IMD fell short of average rain with only isolated showers. But northern parts of the city towards Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) received 4cm of rainfall.
Witnessing the early onset of summer, both Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka were issued a heat-wave alert in the first weeks of March. While mercury soared over 40 degrees Celsius in coastal areas, it hovered between 35 degrees and 36 degrees Celsius in and around Bengaluru, according to IMD scientists.
"Yet, the situation was not as bad as it was in 2024 summer when Bengaluru recorded 36.6 degrees Celsius. On the rain front, even though Bengaluru continued its tryst with deficit figures for the third consecutive month since Jan 2025, we hope the city will get good rain in April and May," Patil said.
As against average rainfall of 14.7mm for March, Bengaluru city received 11.8mm. This was even less in eastern parts, with HAL recording only 9.3mm as against 12.5mm average rainfall.
Brace for thunderstorms till Sunday
Balancing the soaring temperature, IMD hinted at possible thunderstorms over Bengaluru over the next three days. Pointing towards an infusion of easterly-westerly trough over peninsular India, IMD officials said this could result in thundershowers and strong gusty winds accompanied by lightning.
"The conditions will be favourable for thundershowers from Thursday till Sunday in and around Bengaluru," Patil said.