The severe heatwave that has tormented Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana since Monday finally took a break on Thursday morning as the Tricity woke up to overcast skies, a mild southeasterly breeze at 20 kmph, and early drizzle — precisely in line with the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast and orange alert issued the previous evening.By 9 am, light drizzle had arrived over Chandigarh and the temperature had already eased to a relatively bearable 32°C, a striking contrast to Wednesday’s punishing 43.1°C. Current weather conditions point to approximately a 50 per cent chance of rainfall through the day.Warmer nights signal what is comingWhile the days are offering the first signs of relief, the nights turned considerably warmer — a classic signal of humid, storm-laden conditions building up. Chandigarh recorded a minimum temperature of 25.6°C on Thursday, a jump of 3.1°C over Wednesday night’s 22.5°C. Average minimum temperatures rose by 2.1°C across Punjab and 1.2°C across Haryana compared to the previous night.Hoshiarpur was the coolest station overnight in Punjab at 21.7°C, while Sonepat logged the lowest minimum in Haryana at 22.3°C. At the other extreme, Charkhi Dadri sweated through the night at 30.6°C — the warmest night in Haryana — while Bathinda recorded 28.3°C, the highest overnight temperature in Punjab.Wednesday’s inferno: What came beforeWednesday had been the most intense day of the ongoing heat spell before Thursday’s break. Faridkot sizzled at 46.1°C — the highest in Punjab — while Rohtak blazed at 46.6°C, the peak in Haryana. Punjab’s average maximum was a painful 4.1°C above normal; Haryana’s was 4.2°C above normal. Chandigarh hit 43.1°C — 3°C above normal and 1.5°C higher than Tuesday.The real storm is still comingThursday’s drizzle is merely the opening act. IMD’s special bulletin, issued on Wednesday at 4:30 pm, warned of thunderstorm, squall of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph, hailstorm, and heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday — with Friday shaping up as the most ferocious day.Thursday will see scattered rain alongside a squall of 70-80 kmph gusting 90 kmph, lightning, and hailstorm at isolated places under an orange alert. A simultaneous warning for residual heat wave at isolated places remains in force even as the storm system moves in.Friday is expected to be the peak of the storm activity: fairly widespread rain with thunderstorm, lightning, a violent squall of 70-80 kmph gusting 90 kmph, hailstorm at isolated places, and moderate to heavy rain. District-wise maps carry a red “Take Action” alert — the most severe warning level — for parts of Gurdaspur and Pathankot in Punjab, and Ambala and Yamunanagar in Haryana.Saturday will continue with fairly widespread rain, thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds of 50-60 kmph, with heavy rain at isolated places, under an orange alert.Jattvibeday brings only isolated showers with no active warning, before dry weather returns from Monday and temperatures begin climbing again, bringing the heatwave threat back with it.Next 5-day forecast for tricityThursday: Partly cloudy with thunderstorm and rain possible, max 41°C, min 23°C.Friday: Partly cloudy with thunderstorm and rain, max 40°C, min 25°C.Saturday: Partly cloudy with thunderstorm and rain, max 39°C, min 24°C.Jattvibeday: Partly cloudy, max 36°C, min 20°C — the coolest night of the window.Monday: Mainly clear sky, max 36°C, min 23°C.Chandigarh stays high & dryThe maximum temperature at Chandigarh Weather Observatory was 43.1°C (3°C above normal) and minimum was 22.5°C (3.2°C below normal). The maximum relative humidity was 46 per cent and minimum was 13 per cent. No rainfall was recorded. Seasonal rainfall from March 1 stood at 105 mm, which is 99.6 per cent of normal. Jattvibeset on Thursday is at 7:17 pm and sunrise on Friday will be at 5:23 am.