Chandigarh, Feb. 23 -- As February enters its final week, winter appears to be steadily loosening its grip on the city, with temperatures maintaining an upward trend. The warming pattern continued through the past week due to warm easterly winds, as the mercury climbed to 29.2degC on Tuesday, the highest since 29.5degC on February 21 and 22 in 2023. Since then, the maximum temperature has fluctuated between 25degC and 28degC amid clear weather. On Sunday, the day temperature stood at 27.2degC, three degrees above normal and slightly higher than 26.4degC recorded on Saturday. The night temperature has also followed a similar trajectory. The minimum temperature climbed to 15.1degC on Wednesday over the past week, three degrees above normal and the highest of the season. Thereafter, it hovered between 11degC and 13degC, settling at 11.2degC on Sunday, marginally below normal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), clear skies and dry weather are likely to persist as the month concludes, with no rainfall forecast. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 26degC and 27degC in the coming days leading to bright afternoons, while the minimum temperature is likely to rise again to around 14degC, making for warmer mornings and nights. February has witnessed a gradual but steady rise in temperatures. In the first week, the maximum temperature touched 24degC (February 7). In the second week, it rose to 26.4degC (February 15), before peaking at 29.2degC in the third week (February 17). Since February 9, both the maximum and minimum temperatures have remained relatively higher than usual for this time of year in line with the long-range forecast for the month issued by IMD....