Patna, April 11: Brace for respite from hot and dry conditions as weathermen have sounded a Nor'wester alert for Monday and Tuesday.

Patna and the entire state are expected to witness Nor'wester - sudden thunderstorm activities during summer season - over the first two days of the next week. Patna meteorological centre has also issued a warning for hailstorm in north Bihar, while rest of the state is mostly expected to witness thundershowers.

This would be the second Nor'wester in this month, following the last on April 3. Weathermen claimed that formation of dense clouds would start over most parts of the state by Monday morning, followed by thunder and squalls amid light to moderate rain on Monday and Tuesday.

The temperature, on the other hand, is expected to drop a few notches during peak Nor'wester activities, which normally don't last for more than two hours.

"Moist winds coming the China Sea are expected to enter the region by Sunday, which would change the wind direction from dry westerly to easterly. When the moisture brought by the winds would come in contact with prevailing high temperature conditions in the state, it would lead to thunderstorms activities," said Ashish Sen, director, Patna meteorological centre.

Weather scientists claimed that wind speed would be comparatively higher if thunderstorm formation occurs either in the afternoon or evening. "The wind speed would be comparatively higher at places facing hailstorm. On an average, the wind speed during peak Nor'wester activities is expected to be around 40-60kmph," said Sen.

Though residents seem annoyed with the sweltering heat, weathermen claimed that the meteorological criteria for official onset of summer conditions have started getting fulfilled from the past three days only.

"In case of Patna, the maximum temperature has remained 37°C or above for the past three days. If it is recorded above 37°C as well, it would mean that summer has officially set in," said Sen.

Doc caution

Experts have advised residents to remain cautious. "One should not go outdoors on an empty stomach these days and should increase the intake of liquids like fruit juices. Also, children should be given vaccination for flu and diarrhoea. People should wear light clothes and use caps and sunglasses when outside in the afternoon. Air-conditioners should be switched off in the early morning," said Dr Diwakar Tejaswi, a physician.