Heat Waves

Heat waves are prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures, increasingly frequent in India due to climate change.

Heat Waves Latest News

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for regions including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

About Heat Waves

  • Heat Waves are a period of unusually high temperatures as compared to what is normally expected over a region. Therefore, the temperatures at which Heat waves are declared differ from place to place based on the temperature climatology (historical temperatures) of that region. 
  • Heat wave is considered if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for the Plains and at least 30°C or more for the Hilly regions.
  • Based on Departure from Normal 
    • Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 4.5°C to 6.4°C 
    • Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is >6.4°C 
  • Based on Actual Maximum Temperature 
    • Heat Wave: When the actual maximum temperature ≥ 45°C °c 
    • Severe Heat Wave: When the actual maximum temperature is ≥47°C
  • When maximum temperature departure is 4.5°C or more from normal, a Heat Wave may be described, provided the actual maximum temperature is 37C or more.
  • Heatwaves typically occur in India from March to June, sometimes extending into July.
  • The core heatwave zone covers central, northern, and peninsular India, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, West Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Vidarbha (Maharashtra), Gangetic West Bengal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Source: BS

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Heat Waves FAQs

Q1. What is meant by Heat Waves?+

Q2. Why did Heat Waves get so popular?+

Q3. What is causing a heat wave?+

Q4. How hot will India be in 2025?+

Tags: heat waves Prelims Pointers upsc current affairs upsc prelims current affairs

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