Ahmedabad: The countdown to monsoon magic has officially begun. With the India Meteorological Department(IMD) confirming the southwest monsoon's early arrival over parts of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, Gujarat too is gearing up for its date with rain.

The first monsoon showers are likely to kiss the southern coast of the state around June 15, while Ahmedabad and nearby regions can expect rain between June 20 and 25.If the monsoon sticks to this timeline, or even arrives ahead of schedule, it would mark the earliest onset over mainland India since 2009, with Kerala expected to welcome rain on May 27, five days ahead of the usual June 1 onset.

The IMD declared the official onset over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on May 13, thanks to widespread rainfall that fulfilled key meteorological criteria. This early start sets the stage for a potentially swift and sweeping advance across the subcontinent, with favourable oceanic conditions in play.Adding to the optimism, the IMD's long-range forecast predicts an above-normal monsoon for India this year, with rainfall pegged at 105% of the long period average (LPA) between June and Sep. But before the cooling rain arrives, Gujarat must first endure the furnace of May. The state is expected to reel under higher-than-normal temperatures and recurring heatwaves, particularly across Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat. It is a season of contrast: scorching afternoons followed by the promise of thunderclouds on the horizon.Interestingly, 2025 could mark the second consecutive year of early or on-time monsoon onset, based on IMD data. In 2023, while Cyclone Biparjoy triggered pre-monsoon rainfall and made landfall in Gujarat, the official onset was not declared until June 25. This year, too, pre-monsoon rainfall was significant. As of May 13, Gujarat recorded 37.5mm of rainfall — 20 times the usual seasonal average of 1.8 mm. Breaking it down, the Gujarat division received 36.1 mm of rainfall versus the normal 2.3mm rainfall of Jan-May. On the other hand, the Saurashtra-Kutch region logged 38.4mm, far above the normal 1.5mm during this period.With the sky already teasing early showers and monsoon winds gathering pace, all eyes now turn to June. Whether you are a farmer, a city-dweller weary of the heat, or a pluviophile waiting for petrichor, this year's monsoon could be one to remember.