Number Theory: Rising mercury sets the stage for Holi in the heat

According to IMD's gridded temperature dataset, the average maximum temperature across India in the March 1 to March 15 period this year is 31 degrees Celsius. This is 0.7 degrees, or 2.3%, above normal, which is the average of temperature in 1981-2010.

The week to Holi is 5th hottest since 1951

The pre-Holi week in 2022 in comparison to the pre-Holi week in previous years is the 5th hottest since 1951 by maximum temperature.(HT Photo/Sanchit Khanna)

Average daily maximum temperature in India.

Average maximum temperature in India in five hottest pre-Holi weeks.

Average maximum temperature in week ending March 15 in major states.

Years of hotter pre-Holi weeks and years of cooler pre-Holi weeks when Holi came on March 18 or later.

Average daily maximum temperature for Delhi (degrees Celsius).