The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive weather warning for a large part of Northern and Central India. According to the department, several states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana are likely to experience rain and hailstorms in the coming days, while simultaneously, heavy snowfall has been predicted for the Western Himalayan regions. This shift in weather patterns is attributed to the simultaneous activation of multiple Western Disturbances. Meteorologists indicate that two disturbances will be active between February 1 and February 3, followed by a third one from February 5 to February 7.
Heavy Snowfall and Rain in the Himalayan Region
According to the IMD bulletin, the Western Himalayan region, comprising Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, will witness intense meteorological activity between February 1 and February 3. A high alert for heavy snowfall and rain has been issued for these areas. The snowfall in high-altitude regions is expected to cause a significant drop in temperatures, which will directly impact the wind patterns in the plains. The weather department has advised tourists and local residents to exercise caution as snowfall may disrupt road and air connectivity.
Rainfall Forecast for Delhi and North-West India
The plains of North-West India, specifically Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall during the February 1-3 period. Amidst the severe cold wave currently affecting Delhi, the predicted rain is likely to increase the chill factor. According to the IMD, these regions will witness cloudy skies with scattered rainfall. On top of that, the impact of the third Western Disturbance, starting February 5, will also be felt in these states, ensuring that weather instability persists through the first week of February.
Severe Weather Warning for 27 Districts in Uttar Pradesh
The IMD has issued an extensive alert for rain and hailstorms across Uttar Pradesh. Specifically, districts in Western and Central UP, including Kasganj, Mainpuri, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Muzaffarnagar, Aligarh, Saharanpur, Mathura, Shamli, Etawah, Jalaun, Amroha, Jhansi, Hathras, Firozabad, Bijnor, Agra, Auraiya, Etah, Budaun, Moradabad, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Rampur, and Sambhal, are under watch. There is a strong possibility of hailstorms accompanying the rain in these areas. During this period, wind speeds are expected to reach 40-50kmph, which could pose challenges for standing crops and temporary structures.
Meteorological Analysis of Central India
States in Central India, particularly Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, are already feeling the impact of the changing weather. Heavy hailstorms have recently been recorded in several parts of Madhya Pradesh, raising concerns regarding Rabi crops. According to meteorological analysis, the interaction between moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Western Disturbance is causing thunderstorms and showers in the plains. Experts suggest that intermittent rainfall will continue across North and Central India until February 7, potentially leading to a 2-3 degree Celsius drop in minimum temperatures.
To sum it all up, residents of North India are expected to face the dual impact of cold and rain for the next week. The combination of snowfall in the mountains and rain in the plains may re-trigger cold wave-like conditions. The IMD has clarified that weather stability is only expected to return after February 7.