Coimbatore: With the maximum temperature hovering around 34-36 degree Celsius, it already feels like summer in the city.
Pointing out that rain had stopped early this year, N K Sathyamoorthy, professor and head of

Agro Climate Research Centre

at

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

, said the same was making it feel like an

early summer in Coimbatore

.
"The normal temperature for this time of year is 33-34 degree Celsius. But it touched 36 degree Celsius in a few places on some days. In recent days, temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius above normal, as per our weather station at TNAU. According to the IMD forecast, the city is likely to receive 20-25mm of rainfall over March 1 and 2. However, it remains uncertain how much rain the city will actually receive," he said.
Sathyamoorthy said they could accurately predict the weather only for about five to six days in advance. "The daytime maximum temperature in some parts of the district is expected to range between 35 degree Celsius and 36 degree Celsius over the next five days. Summer rain is difficult to forecast, owing to sudden atmospheric changes. If we receive rain in the first week of March, temperature is expected to drop slightly," he explained.

However, the soaring temperature has benefited roadside vendors and fruit sellers, as people flock to buy tender coconuts, ice apples, watermelons and buttermilk to beat the heat.
"The heat is unusual for this time of year in the city. Summer arrived much earlier than expected. Except for May and June, the city is known for its pleasant climate. But over the past few years, the temperature has been rising considerably," said E Loganathan, a grocery shop owner at Peelamedu.