Mumbai recorded one of the highest-ever maximum temperatures in March at 41° C on Sunday. It was 8.2° C above the climatological normal maximum temperature for March, 32.8° C.

The presence of an anti-cyclone, or a high pressure area which pushes hot air downward towards the ground and lets it diverge on to surrounding areas, over Gujarat and Rajasthan heated up certain areas more than expected. “Temperatures were appreciably above normal today. This is a severe heat wave-like condition, and it would prevail for the next 24 hours,” K S Hosalikar, deputy ...