Patna: Respite from the scorching summer is in sight for residents in most parts of the state as the Patna Met office issued a thunderstorm and squall warning on Sunday.

The weathermen said while places in east Bihar are likely to face thunderstorm and squall till Monday, other parts can also experience thunderstorm and dusty winds.

"We have issued the warning as a cyclonic circulation is hovering over Bihar and there are other favourable conditions like moisture incursion which are likely to cause thunderstorm and also a little amount of rainfall," said an official at the Patna Met office.

Patna was also hit by a thunderstorm, accompanied by little rainfall, in the early hours of Sunday.

The Met official said though a warning has only been issued till Monday, the weather is likely to remain unstable across the state for the entire week.

"Easterly is the dominant surface wind which is leading to moisture incursion. During the summer season, when surface heating takes place, this moist wind moves upwards when the sky is clear. It leads to formation of clouds and if other synoptic features support, thunderstorm is caused," explained the Met official while speaking on the likely weather conditions this coming week.

The unstable weather conditions would keep the mercury level within tolerable limits, protecting residents in most parts of the state from the wrath of scorching summer when temperature go beyond the 40°C mark.

"But for the southern parts of the state like Gaya and surrounding areas, where temperatures may go up to 40°C, temperature in most parts of the state will remain below 40°C during the week," the Met official said, adding that day temperature in Patna and surrounding areas is likely to hover between 36 and 39°C.

Temperature in northern and eastern Bihar is also likely to be around 35°C.

The Met official, however, maintained there will be high moisture level in the atmosphere, so the residents would have to brave sultry conditions.