New Delhi, April 13
Call it sheer coincidence if not providence, but the April of 1983 - the year India lifted the Cricket World Cup for the first time - was weather-wise as comfortable as 2011, which is witnessing what is being termed a season of delayed summer.

Maximum temperature is hovering way below the average of 36.4°C, very comfortable for people and also the rabi crops till now. However if the weather conditions persists and rain and thunderstorms come, the situation may not remain so, warns agriculture economist SS Johl.

During the past 20 years, the only period that saw temperature hovering somewhere below the normal was in the early 1990s. Over the past 10 years, temperatures remained more or less near normal, even higher average at times.

The last year (2010) saw a particularly early start to summer with April temperatures averaging around 40.4°C. April 12, 2010, in fact saw the maximum temperature (41.6°C).

The reason behind the below average temperatures this year is the persistent activity of western disturbances (WD), two so far this month and a couple of more expected in the coming 10 days.

A spell of strong western disturbances is expected between April 15 and 17, which is going to delay the temperature rise across North India, says IMD Director SC Bhan.

The western disturbances may lead to persistent cloudiness, rainfall and dust storms in the wheat-bearing areas of North India. Another western disturbance, though a feeble one, is likely around April 19 and 20. According to Johl, crops at this time require temperature between 38 and 40°C.