Chandigarh, April 25 -- The city recorded its highest temperature of the season on Friday at 41degC, 5.1 degrees above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The rising temperatures may meet heatwave criteria, though officials said conditions will be monitored on Saturday before it is officially declared. IMD officials said temperatures will remain around similar levels over the next few days, with a fresh Western Disturbance likely to bring rain to the city around April 29. A heatwave in the region is declared when the maximum temperature crosses 40degC and is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees above normal. A severe heatwave is also declared if the departure exceeds 6.5 degrees. However, officials noted that such conditions typically need to persist for about two consecutive days before a heatwave is formally declared. The maximum temperature rose from 40degC on Thursday to 41degC on Friday. Typically, Chandigarh sees temperatures touching 40degC in the last week of April. In comparison, in 2025, the temperature first crossed 40degC on April 25 (40.5degC), while in 2024 it did so on April 26 (40.2degC). Similar to this year, 2023 saw an earlier spike, with temperatures reaching 40degC on April 18. Despite the current rise, this season's peak is still slightly lower than last year's high of 41.5degC recorded on April 28....