Chandigarh:
Temperatures soared across Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday with Hisar being the hottest with a maximum of 41.8 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal.
Patiala in Punjab was the next hottest place in the region, recording a maximum of 40.6 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal, the Met office said in Chandigarh.
At most other places in the two states, the maximum temperatures, which were the season's highest so far, hovered around the 40 degree C mark.
While Chandigarh braved a hot day at 39.6 degrees Celsius, hot conditions prevailed in Ludhiana and Amritsar too where the maximum climbed to 39.9 and 38 degrees Celsius respectively.
Bhiwani in Haryana recorded a high of 39.4 degrees C, while Karnal rose to 39.6 degrees C, three notches above normal.
Ambala had a hot day at 38.9 degrees C, up two degrees. Though Shimla had a relatively pleasant day at 24.9 C, it was still five degrees above normal.
The Met office has forecast gradual rise in day temperatures in Punjab and Haryana over the next two days.