The premature advent of the hot season began in the first week of March. The maximum temperature in the first week of March is supposed to be an average 26 degrees Celsius. For the first time in the past five years, the mercury touched a high of 34.8 degree Celsius on March 4, eight degrees above normal.

The abnormal highs in the first week of March continued into the second week. On March 17, the maximum temperature was 33 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. The maximum has stayed above the 30 degrees mark for most of the month.

Same time last year, the maximums had settled at a pleasant average of 23 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature on March 4 last year was 23 degrees Celsius and on March 17, it was 27 degrees. In fact, the maximum temperature peaked at 33 degrees Celsius on March 28 -- all in keeping with the averages.

In fact, March has been quite like April usually is. In April, the maximum temperature averages at 36 degrees Celsius. The general weather outlook for April indicates: ``Mainly clear skies....occasional strong surface winds in the afternoon.''

So if you thought last year was hot, the weatherman's charts indicate that this year will be worse.

Between all the highs this March, there have been periodic lows also. There have been days when the maximums have been unbearable and the minimums cool. There has been a substantial difference between the highs in the day and the lows at night. The temperatures on March 24: Maximum: 32.2 degrees Celsius, minimum: 14.4 degrees. On March 25, the maximum was 35 degrees Celsius and the minimum 16 degrees.

The fluctuating weather pattern is because of the frequent visits of the western disturbance. Blowing in from Afghanistan and over Pakistan, these disturbances constantly influence the weather in the Capital. Depending on the direction of the wind, the mercury goes up and falls down, making it very hot or very cold. Met Department officials say that during summer, the western disturbance usually brings in a couple of relief showers. This season, there have been no showers yet.

The normal forecast for summer indicates that a heat wave syndrome is expected only in the month of May. The general condition being that if the maximums increase by five to six degrees above normal, a heat wave situation is declared. Met Department officials have however not yet used the term ``heat wave''. S.C. Gupta, director Northern Region says: ``It has been unusually hot this month, but it cannot be described as heat wave conditions. The weather has been bearable. We usually use the term heat wave around May, if temperatures cross bearable limits''.