Maharashtra weather conditions are expected to turn stormy on October 17, with thunderstorms and rain forecast in six districts across western and southern parts of the state. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for Sindhudurg, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur and Dharashiv, while several other districts may experience isolated lightning activity.
The alert covers areas where rain accompanied by strong winds and lightning is likely. The forecast applies to Sindhudurg in the Konkan region, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur in western Maharashtra, and Solapur and Dharashiv in the southern Marathwada belt. The weather department has also forecast isolated rain with lightning in Ratnagiri, Pune, Latur and Nanded.
The warning comes as Maharashtra continues to experience fluctuations in maximum temperatures. The Sakal report said temperatures remained above 35 degrees Celsius at several locations, creating hot and humid conditions even as the atmosphere becomes favourable for rain. Thane, Mumbai and Raigad are expected to see increased heat and humidity rather than the storm conditions forecast in the six yellow-alert districts.
Yavatmal recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 38.6 degrees Celsius during the 24 hours ending on Friday morning, according to the report. Ratnagiri recorded a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, while Santacruz recorded more than 37 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above 36 degrees Celsius were reported in Solapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Amravati and Chandrapur.
The contrast between high daytime temperatures and the rain forecast is linked to several atmospheric systems over and around peninsular India. A circulation was present along the Tamil Nadu coast at an altitude of 3.1 to 4.5 kilometres, while another circulation was located along the Andhra Pradesh coast at about 1.5 kilometres. A low-pressure trough extended from that system towards southern Tamil Nadu.
Another circulation was reported over the southeastern Arabian Sea near the Lakshadweep Islands at an altitude of 5.8 kilometres above sea level. The weather systems are contributing to conditions favourable for thunderstorms over parts of Maharashtra, according to the forecast cited by Sakal.
The yellow alert indicates that residents and local authorities in the affected districts should monitor weather developments as conditions can change during the day. Thunderstorms and strong winds can disrupt outdoor activity and affect local movement, particularly in exposed areas. Lightning-related risks are also relevant in districts where isolated thunderstorms have been forecast, including Pune, Ratnagiri, Latur and Nanded.
The forecast also highlights the uneven nature of the current weather pattern across the state. Coastal districts such as Mumbai, Thane and Raigad are expected to remain hot and humid, while parts of western Maharashtra, southern Konkan and southern Marathwada face the possibility of thunderstorms and rain. The weather department’s district-level alerts remain the immediate guide for conditions on October 17.
