DW BUREAU / chandigarh The southwest monsoon on Wednesday advanced to northern parts of Punjab, bringing rains and causing temperatures to drop by a few notches, a Meteorological Department official said here. Rains also lashed parts of neighbouring Haryana.Normally, monsoon arrives in Punjab and Haryana in the first week of July. "The monsoon has advanced into northern parts of Punjab, and Chandigarh. Conditions are favourable for its further advancement into most parts of Punjab and Haryana on Thursday," a Meteorological Department official said here. In Punjab, Patiala and Amritsar recorded maximum temperatures of 34.7 degrees Celsius and 35.2 degrees Celsius, respectively, both three notches below normal. Ludhiana recorded a high of 34.8 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal. Heavy rains also lashed Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, in the afternoon. The maximum temperature in the city settled at 33.3 degree Celsius, four notches below normal. In Haryana, Narnaul recorded a high of 31.4 degrees Celsius, 10 notches below normal, after the rains. In Ambala, the mercury settled at 33.5 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal, after light rains. Karnal recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal. Hisar's recorded a high of 38.4 degree Celsius, two notches below normal.During the next two days, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely in many parts of Punjab and Haryana, including Chandigarh, according to the weather department.It has forecast heavy showers at isolated parts in north Haryana and Punjab. (editor@dailyworld.in)