The IMD (India Meteorological Department) on January 5 had predicted a wet spell for the northwest parts of the country including Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, and central India till January 9 because of the two western disturbances which are active. It also reported that there might not be cold-wave conditions over the northern part in the next five days.
Western disturbances are the low-pressure systems that form over the Mediterranean Sea which are then pushed towards the Indian subcontinent by the high-altitude westerly winds. The western disturbances also collect moisture from sources along the way. The sources that are responsible for providing the moisture include the Mediterranean, the Caspian, and the Arabian Sea. The moisture is then dumped over the Northern parts of the country.
During the past 24 hours, the minimum temperatures over most northwest India (excluding UP), west Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat were above normal by 2 to 5 degrees celsius. The weather conditions over the rest of the northern part and adjoining central India were near normal. No significant changes in minimum temperatures will be expected over most parts of the northwestern parts during the next four to five days, as reported by the IMD.
The IMD also reported that a gradual rise in minimum temperatures by two to four is most likely over central parts of India in the next 2 days and no significant change is expected for the three days afterward. The possibility of cold wave conditions has been ruled out for the region in the next five days.
The active western disturbance which will affect the northwestern region will induce a cyclonic circulation, under its influence, over the southwest parts of Rajasthan and the neighborhood. Under this influence of the western disturbance, isolated heavy rainfall and snowfall over J&K, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad is most likely due on Friday-Saturday. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will receive the rainfall and snowfall on Saturday. The IMD has advised the residents of these places to be aware of the local weather and take precautions accordingly.
The Met Department has also predicted isolated heavy rainfall over the areas in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday. Some isolated thunderstorm activity along with hailstorms has been predicted for Madhya Pradesh on Saturday and Sunday.
The widespread rain, isolated hailstorms, and low daytime temperatures will engulf northwest India for the upcoming seven days. The weather will change pace and people are informed well in advance to take precautionary steps and avoid falling ill as the nation is already dealing with COVID-19.
