Why is May cool? Varied weather systems have been active over India or the surrounding seas this month

A low pressure area formed over the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Sri Lanka on May 11, a western disturbance started impacting northwest India on May 10, heat waves affected isolated parts of Jammu and Kashmir on May 9 and wind speed in excess of 135 km/hr was recorded around Patna in Bihar on May 8, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Apart from these specific events, various parts of India have also experienced heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, strong surface winds, heat waves, severe heat waves, warm nights and severe warm nights in the last few days. Surface winds in excess of 90 km/hr, which is the same as a ‘severe cyclone’ over the sea, have been regularly recorded in many regions of India since March.

Every part of the country experienced at least one of these diverse weather events because of varied weather systems active over the country, some of which seem reminiscent of the monsoon season.