As of 22:08 GMT, 23 MAR 2008

SOUTH INDIA

SUMMARY- Numerous showers and thunderstorms in central and southern areas the past few days, with locally heavy rainfall occurring in portions of the region, 0.25-4.00+ inches (6-102+ mm), some flooding noted. Temperatures 75 to 103F (24 to 39C).

FORECAST-

TODAY...Showers and thundershowers likely south and eastern areas, 0.10-1.50+ inches (3-38+ mm). Mostly dry northwest. Temperatures 74 to 104F (23 to 40C).

TONIGHT...Showers linger south/east, mostly dry elsewhere overnight. Areas of haze and smoke.

TOMORROW...Lighter showers/thundershowers south and east, mostly dry conditions elsewhere. Temperatures 80 to 105F (27 to 41C).

OUTLOOK...Widely scattered showers in southern areas, drier east. Mostly dry conditions expected elsewhere this period. Temperatures increasingly hot.

INDIA GROUNDNUTS (PEANUTS) - Gujarat, south-central and southeast India are the major growing areas.

Two crops...June to September and November to March. This crop needs adequate but not excessive rains during the growing season.

CROP IMPACT: Late Monsoon season rains favored the reproductive Rabi crop in south India. It had been drier since this late rain ended, however showers were in the area during the middle of February.

Increasing rains through southern India during the past week will favor any of the late filling Rabi groundnut crop but it will also delay the early harvest for this crop. Source: Meteorlogix, DTN's brand of commercial weather services.