The mercury continued to remain high in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, with temperatures two to six degrees above average. But rain and thundershowers are likely in the next 24 hours.

The temperature in most places ranged between 42 and 44 degrees, a Met official said here.

Haryana’s Hisar recorded a high of 43.3 degrees, while Ambala was sizzling at 41.6 degrees.

In Punjab, Patiala, the Sikh holy city of Amritsar and industrial hub ludhiana were the hottest at 42.6 degrees, 42.2 degrees and 42.5 degrees respectively. All were five degrees above average.

Chandigarh, at a high of 41.5 degrees, was three degrees above average.

“There are chances of rain in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Sunday, bringing some respite from the prevailing heat wave,” the Met official said.

Himachal Pradesh also continued to sizzle on Saturday and recorded a maximum temperature of 41.7 degrees Celsius. Its capital city Shimla recorded a high of 27.1 degrees Celsius, weather officials said.

“Most of the towns recorded a maximum temperature of three to five notches above the average, mainly due to the dry weather,” a meteorological department official added.

He said Shimla’s maximum temperature was four notches above the average.

Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded a high of 37.3 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature in Bhuntar in Kullu district was 32.2 degrees. Dharamsala in Kangra district was 33.2 degrees and Kalpa in Kinnaur district was 17.2 degrees Celsius.

The Met department said a fresh western disturbance would be active in the region between June 1 and 2 with chances of rain and thundershowers across the State.