
Weather experts have forecasted the likelihood of rain and snow making a comeback in the Western Himalayan region and nearby plains early next week, with overcast conditions and spells of precipitation anticipated in central India and parts of the northwest plains, including the national capital, Delhi. This forecast comes in light of a new western disturbance (WD) system expected to affect these regions, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Western disturbances, characterized by moisture-heavy winds originating from the Mediterranean and sweeping in from the West before reaching the Himalayan ranges, are known to induce snowfall and rainfall in the region. The last such phenomenon led to a temporary rise in temperatures followed by colder conditions as the winds shifted, bringing cold air from the mountains.
Senior scientist Naresh Kumar from the IMD explained, “When the previous WD approached on February 19, temperatures initially rose due to variable winds. However, with northwesterly winds prevailing over the plains now, temperatures have returned to near normal. The forthcoming WD is expected to bring rain and snow to higher elevations and light rain to the plains, primarily in Punjab.”
The dip in temperatures coincides with the drop in the minimum temperature in Delhi, recorded at 7.6°C, four degrees below normal. Although the maximum temperature on Friday stood at 24.4 degrees, a degree below normal, officials expect the minimum temperature to rise consistently over the weekend.
IMD officials highlighted that isolated light rainfall and snowfall are anticipated over the Western Himalayan Region from February 23 to 25, with further scattered to fairly widespread precipitation expected in Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on February 26 and 27.
The region has experienced a 38% rainfall deficiency since January 1, largely attributed to a lack of western disturbances earlier in the year. However, recent disturbances have brought snowfall to popular ski resorts like Gulmarg in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, northeast India is also expected to witness weather disturbances, with scattered to widespread rainfall and thunderstorms predicted in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from February 23 to 27.
Sources By Agencies