LUCKNOW, March 8 -- Uttar Pradesh is in for a scorching stretch, with temperatures set to rise by 2 to 3degC over the next five days and stay well above normal across most of the state, the meteorological department said on Saturday. With no active weather system expected for at least a week and an anticyclone sitting over West Central India in the middle troposphere, dry conditions will prevail statewide. "Maximum temperatures in the southern part of Western UP are expected to be 5 to 8degC above normal, while in other parts, they are expected to be 3 to 6degC above normal. Minimum temperatures are also likely to remain 4 to 7degC above normal in most parts," said Atul Kumar Singh, a senior scientist at the Lucknow meteorological office. Jhansi recorded the highest maximum at 36.6degC, followed by Agra at 36.4degC, which was 7.5degC above normal. Banda logged 35.2degC and Aligarh 35degC, while Prayagraj stood at 34.4degC and Hamirpur at 34.2degC. Night temperatures have also crossed the 20degC mark, with Banda recording 21degC and Varanasi BHU and Hamirpur at 20.2degC each. Average daytime temperatures until March 12 are likely to exceed normal by over 4degC across most of West UP and by 2 to 4degC elsewhere. From March 13 to 19, above-normal temperatures of 2 to 4degC are forecast for northern parts, with the rest of the state likely to exceed normal by over 4degC. In Lucknow, the day and night temperatures stood at 33.1degC and 19.2degC respectively. Clear skies are forecast for the state capital, with a maximum of around 34degC and a minimum of 19degC expected....