In a surprising turn for what is usually one of India’s hottest months, May 2026 has brought unusually mild weather across several parts of the country, offering relief from the sweltering heat that typically defines the season.Large parts of north, east and central India have recorded daytime temperatures significantly below normal, with some regions witnessing a drop of as much as 8 to 13 degrees Celsius compared to seasonal averages.One of the most remarkable readings came from Uttar Pradesh, where the Hardoi observatory logged a maximum temperature of just 26 degrees Celsius on May 7, reportedly the lowest May daytime temperature ever recorded there.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cooler-than-normal conditions are likely to persist across many regions through the month.“During May 2026, maximum temperatures are expected to be normal to below normal across many parts of the country,” the weather agency had said in its monthly outlook.What is causing the cooler weather?Meteorologists attribute the unusual cooling primarily to persistent easterly winds and repeated western disturbances that have triggered intermittent rainfall across many states.These weather systems have prevented temperatures from rising sharply, especially during mornings and evenings. Rainfall activity during March and April also disrupted the build-up of intense summer heat that had initially raised fears of a severe heatwave season.Earlier this year, several forecasts had warned of above-normal heatwave days between March and May after temperatures in parts of western and central India touched nearly 45 degrees Celsius even before May began.However, periodic showers and cloud cover altered the pattern significantly.The IMD now predicts above-normal rainfall over most parts of the country during May, although some areas in east, northeast and east-central India could still receive below-normal rain.Heatwave risk not over yetDespite the cooler spell, the IMD has cautioned that parts of southern of southern, northeastern and northwestern India could still witness above-normal temperatures and increased heatwave days later this month.Weather experts say the current cool spell is largely linked to temporary systems such as easterly winds and repeated western disturbances, which have triggered cloud cover and rainfall across multiple regions. However, these short-term patterns do not necessarily indicate a weaker summer overall.Another growing concern is the rise in nighttime temperatures across many states. Even in areas where daytime weather has remained pleasant, nights have stayed warmer than normal, limiting natural cooling after sunset and increasing heat stress, especially in urban centres.Scientists are also closely monitoring the possibility of El Niño conditions developing later in the year. Such a pattern can weaken monsoon activity, delay rainfall progression and prolong summer-like conditions across the subcontinent.Climate experts stress that although temporary weather systems may bring intermittent relief, long-term warming trends continue to point towards hotter and more intense summers in India in the years ahead.