Shillong, Apr 2: Meghalaya is likely to experience a warmer-than-usual summer with reduced rainfall, according to the latest seasonal outlook issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The forecast for the April–June (AMJ) 2026 hot weather season indicates that maximum temperatures will be normal to above normal across most parts of the state, while minimum temperatures are also expected to remain above normal, pointing to warmer days as well as nights.
For April specifically, IMD projects above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures across much of Meghalaya, suggesting an early onset of warmer conditions.
However, in a relief for residents, the IMD has clarified that no heatwave days are likely over Meghalaya during the entire April–June period.
The outlook also flags a potential concern for the region’s water and agriculture sectors. Below-normal rainfall is expected over many parts of Northeast India, including Meghalaya, raising the possibility of emerging dry conditions during the pre-monsoon months.
Long-term climate data further underscores a warming trend in the state. According to IMD analysis, Meghalaya’s annual mean temperature has increased by +0.73°C per 100 years between 1901 and 2025, with maximum temperatures rising faster (+0.85°C/100 years) than minimum temperatures (+0.62°C/100 years.
Recent years have also been among the warmest on record, with 2025 emerging as the hottest year, followed by 2023, 2024, 2021 and 2022.
The findings suggest that while extreme heat events may remain unlikely, a steady warming pattern combined with reduced rainfall could shape Meghalaya’s weather in the coming months, with implications for farming, water availability, and daily life.
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