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IMD warns of heavy rain, snow, and wind in western Himalayas

Several parts of north and northeast India are experiencing rain, snow and hail due to the influence of two western disturbances

By Ground Report Desk 19 Feb 2024

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IMD warns of heavy rain, snow, and wind in western Himalayas

Several parts of north and northeast India are experiencing rain, snow and hail due to the influence of two western disturbances, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. A western disturbance is a low-pressure system that originates in the Mediterranean region and brings moisture-laden winds to the Indian subcontinent.

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Western disturbances bring precipitation

According to the IMD, the first western disturbance is continuing as a trough in the westerly winds at mid levels, while the second one is lying at low levels over north Pakistan and adjoining areas in the form of a cyclonic circulation. These meteorological systems are likely to cause light to moderate rain and snowfall along with lightning, stormy winds and hail in most areas of the western Himalayan region during February 19 to 21.

The IMD has issued an orange alert, indicating heavy to very heavy rain and snow, for Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Friday. The rainfall in these states is expected to range from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm. Isolated heavy rains and snowfall in higher reaches may also occur over these regions on February 19 and 21.

The plains of north India are also likely to receive light to moderate rain in most areas of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh during February 19 to 21. They predict similar weather activity over eastern Uttar Pradesh from February 20 to 22, over north Rajasthan from February 19 to 21, and over parts of northwest Madhya Pradesh from February 20 to 22. The rainfall in these regions can range from 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm.

Rain, wind in north India

The IMD has also warned of rain and thundershowers along with strong winds in some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh during February 19 to 21. North Rajasthan may witness similar weather on February 19 and 20, while eastern Uttar Pradesh may experience it during February 20 to 22.

Hailstorm is another possibility in different areas of Jammu and Himachal Pradesh and in Uttarakhand on February 19 and 20. Hail may also fall in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and north Rajasthan on February 19 and 20 and in western Uttar Pradesh on February 20.

The weather in northeast India is also likely to change due to the western disturbances. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain and snowfall in most areas of northeast India during February 20 to 23. Heavy rain and snowfall may occur in parts of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh on February 21 and 22. Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland may also receive rain on February 22.

Temperatures rising in eastern, northwest

The IMD has also said that the minimum temperature in eastern India may gradually increase by two to four degrees Celsius during the next two days and then remain stable. The minimum temperature in northwest India may also increase by three to four degrees Celsius during the next 24 hours. However, there is no possibility of any major change in the minimum temperature in central India during the next five days.

On Thursday, the lowest minimum temperature recorded in the plains of the country was 7.8 degrees Celsius at Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh. The highest maximum temperature recorded was 38.0 degrees Celsius at Erode in Tamil Nadu.

The IMD has also predicted dense fog in the morning in parts of Odisha for the next few days. On Thursday, moderate fog was observed in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, while light fog was seen in parts of Bihar, Tripura and coastal Andhra Pradesh.