New Delhi, Feb. 28 -- Day temperatures across large parts of northwest India are likely to remain 3-5degC above normal over the coming week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned on Friday, adding that night temperatures in several states are already significantly higher than usual. According to the IMD, minimum temperatures are currently 3-5degC above normal in parts of the region, especially Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Punjab, and are expected to remain elevated next week. Maximum temperatures were markedly above normal (over 6.5degC) in Jammu and Kashmir; appreciably above normal by 3-5degC in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gangetic West Bengal; and by 2-3degC in Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Assam. Temperatures were near normal in the rest of the country. Minimum temperatures were appreciably above normal by 3-5degC in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Assam; and above normal (1.6degC to 3.1degC) in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, South Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mahe. They remained near normal in other regions. "Ahead of Holi (on March 4), day and night temperatures may be high. Day temperatures are especially likely to be about 4degC above normal. This is mainly because of clear skies and absence of any weather activity," said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorology, Skymet Weather. On Friday, Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 30.2degC, which was 4.1degC above normal. Meanwhile, the IMD also said that an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over Kutch and neighbouring areas in lower tropospheric levels. Another such circulation is over south interior Karnataka. A trough extends from north Tamil Nadu to south West Madhya Pradesh in the lower tropospheric levels. An upper air cyclonic circulation is also present over West Rajasthan and adjoining Pakistan. A cyclonic circulation lies over Kerala and adjoining areas, and another over northeast Assam. A trough is running from southeast Bay of Bengal to south Tamil Nadu. A feeble western disturbance is currently affecting the western Himalayan region, while a fresh western disturbance is likely to impact the region from the night of March 2. IMD said maximum temperatures are likely to rise gradually by 2-4degC over the plains of northwest India during the next seven days and remain 3-5degC above normal in many parts of the region this week. No major change in maximum temperatures is expected over central India in the next 24 hours....