Weather update: Western disturbance brings rain, snow and hail to several states

New Delhi: A western disturbance, a low-pressure system that originates in the Mediterranean region and brings winter rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the country, has become active and is affecting the weather in several states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for rainfall, snowfall, thunderstorms and hailstorms in various regions till February 28.

Western disturbance brings rain, snow

According to the IMD, the western disturbance has formed as a trough in the westerly winds at mid-levels and is moving eastwards. Due to this, there is a possibility of light rain in different parts of the western Himalayan region, including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and snowfall in higher altitude areas on February 24 and 25.

The rainfall intensity and distribution is likely to increase from February 26, when a fresh western disturbance will become active and bring thunderstorms, light to moderate rain and snowfall in these states. The rainfall amount may range from 0.1 mm to 64.4 mm in different locations.

The IMD has also predicted rainfall, snowfall and thunderstorms in the northeastern states, due to the influence of jet stream winds, which are blowing at a speed of up to 145 knots at 12.6 km above sea level. The jet stream winds are carrying moisture from the Bay of Bengal and causing instability in the atmosphere.

Light to moderate rain and snowfall are likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam and parts of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on February 24 and 25. The rainfall amount may range from 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm in these states.

Cyclones bring rain to India

The IMD has also warned of cyclonic circulation and trough formation over southern India, which may affect the weather in the peninsular region. A cyclonic circulation is persisting over south Telangana and a trough from this cyclonic circulation is extending up to south Tamil Nadu.

Another cyclonic circulation continues at lower levels over south Chhattisgarh. The cyclone is expected to strengthen further over the lower levels of the Bay of Bengal during the next few days. Given these weather systems, the IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall in West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand during February 24 to 27. These states may receive rainfall ranging from 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm.

The IMD has also forecast stormy winds, and light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning strikes in different parts of Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh from February 26 to 28. There is also a possibility of hailstorms in different parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand on February 26. The IMD has advised people to take precautions and avoid outdoor activities during these weather events.

The IMD has said that there is no possibility of any major change in the minimum temperature over northwest and central India during the next 24 hours, however, after that the minimum temperature is expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius. At the same time, there is no possibility of any significant change in the minimum temperature in the rest of the country during the next five days.

Today, i.e. on February 24, hot and humid weather is expected to persist in Kerala. Yesterday, Karnal in Haryana, in the plains of the country, recorded a minimum temperature of 5.0 degrees Celsius. Yesterday, the maximum temperature recorded across the country was 39.4 degrees Celsius in Erode, Tamil Nadu.

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