Panaji: Goa signed off April 2026 under a spell of heat, with both day and night temperatures remaining above normal levels, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The last week of April recorded the highest maximum of 35.4°C on April 29, about 1.6°C above the normal of 33.8°C.
Panaji recorded 35.4°C on April 11 and again on April 29, which was 2.1°C above normal. Similar highs were recorded on April 28, 2021, and April 19, 2019.
The minimum temperature reached 28.6°C on April 29 and 30, about 2.2°C above normal, marking the highest April minimum temperature recorded in several decades. The lowest minimum during this period was 26.5°C on April 23, which was also above average.
An IMD official said that the sustained rise in night temperatures reduces the body’s ability to recover from daytime heat.
Parts of South Goa received pre-monsoon rainfall between April 23 and 29, recording 2.7 mm against a normal of 0.8 mm, while North Goa remained dry. Isolated rainfall on April 24 and 26 was linked to a trough or wind discontinuity extending from North Interior Karnataka to the Comorin region and an anti-cyclonic circulation over interior Maharashtra.
From March 1 to April 30, Goa recorded area-weighted rainfall of 4.4 mm against a normal of 9.2 mm, a deficit of 52.4%. North Goa recorded a deficit of 77.5%, while South Goa recorded a shortfall of 33.3%.
Station-wise, rainfall was lowest at Mapusa, Pernem, Panaji, Canacona and Margao, while Sanguem recorded 16.8 mm, followed by Dharbandora at 14.7 mm and Quepem at 10.8 mm.
The IMD has forecast dry and mainly sunny conditions for the first week of May. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 34°C and 35°C, while minimum temperatures may range between 26°C and 27°C.
