The maximum day temperature today was eight degrees above normal. When the maximum temperature is five degrees above normal, it is called a heat wave.

Met Department officials, however, are not terming the hot morning a heat wave yet. ``A heat wave condition is declared only from April onwards,'' explains S.C. Gupta, Met director for the Delhi Region. ``The above five degrees theory is used only then. A heat wave is not expected in March.''

Yet, the weatherman agrees that the day temperatures today were scorching. Winds blowing in from Rajasthan, where the temperatures have already crossed the 30 degree mark made things really hot. ``The weather has been warming up over the last few days and it peaked today,'' says a Met department official. ``The hot winds blowing in from Rajasthan resulted in this peaking.''

According to the weatherman, the weather today might be an indication of a hot, hot summer ahead. The average maximum temperatures in March are around 26 degrees Celsius.

The only hope through the summer is going to be the western disturbance. Every time the disturbance makes a friendly appearance over Jammu and Kashmir, there is likelihood of a few showers over the Capital and some respite from what promises to be a bad summer. Today's squall was also because of a western disturbance that is travelling from Pakistan towards Jammu and Kashmir. ``G`oing by the cloud formation over the North, it looks like the skies will be overcast tomorrow also,'' says Gupta.