LUCKNOW, March 31 -- The maximum temperatures in at least two Uttar Pradesh cities crossed the 40-degree Celsius mark on Monday, even as April is yet to step in through the door. In Banda, the maximum temperature rose to 41.4deg C and at Prayagraj it was 40.5deg C. Last year, the hottest day in the Sangam city was 42deg C on March 27 and in 2024 it was 40.7deg C on March 30. Lucknow recorded the hottest day of the season on Monday, with the mercury soaring to 37.4deg C, which was 2.2 degrees above normal. In 2025, the state capital recorded 39.7deg C on March 27. The forecast for Lucknow is a partly cloudy sky, becoming generally cloudy with development of thunder accompanied by light rain. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 34 and 23deg C, respectively. Rain lashed parts of the National Capital Region on Monday, even as the India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for some West UP districts bordering the national capital and its surrounding areas. The rain on Monday took place due to a fresh Western Disturbance influencing northwest India on Sunday. Another Western Disturbance is also likely on April 2, with chances of very light rain on April 3 and 4 in some parts of the state. Rain/thundershowers are very likely at isolated places over East UP and at a few places over West UP. The Met Department issued a warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning/gusty winds (speed 30-40 Kmph) are very likely at isolated places over East UP. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning/gusty winds (speed 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph) are very likely at isolated places over West UP. Day temperatures in the state are expected to drop by 2 to 4deg C by March 31, followed by a gradual rise of 2 to 4deg C during the subsequent 48 hours. htc...