Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jun 3: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a five-day yellow alert for Goa, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds as monsoon conditions intensify across the coastal state.

According to the latest forecast, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thundershowers is likely across Goa until at least Jun 6. The IMD has cautioned that isolated areas may experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph. No significant change in temperatures is expected during this period.

Despite increasing monsoon activity, Goa continued to witness above-normal temperatures on Tuesday, with both Panaji and Mormugao recording maximum and minimum temperatures higher than the seasonal average.

At the Panaji observatory, the maximum temperature was recorded at 35.4 degrees Celsius, which was 2.4 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature stood at 28 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees above normal. Relative humidity was recorded at 70 per cent, and no rainfall was reported until 5.30 pm.

Similarly, the Mormugao observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 35.3 degrees Celsius, 2.8 degrees above normal, and a minimum temperature of 28.2 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees above normal. Relative humidity was measured at 81 per cent.

The IMD said weather conditions remain favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into parts of Kerala around Jun 4. Meteorologists noted the persistence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea off the south Kerala coast, extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level and tilting southwestward with height.

Another upper-air cyclonic circulation over south Kerala and adjoining Tamil Nadu, extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level, has merged with the larger circulation system.

The southwest monsoon typically reaches the Goa coast four to five days after its onset over Kerala, raising expectations of its arrival in the state later this week.