The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest forecast on Saturday (February 24) predicted that isolated to scattered light rainfall/snowfall over the Western Himalayan Region till March 1, with increased activity expected on February 26-27. Thunderstorms and lightning are also anticipated at isolated locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand during this period.
In Arunachal Pradesh, similar weather patterns are expected over the next 6-7 days. Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura may experience isolated light to moderate rainfall on February 25. Parts of East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana may also witness isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms & lightning on specific dates.
Hot and humid conditions are forecasted for Kerala on February 25. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain relatively stable over Northwest & Central India for the next 24 hours, followed by a rise of 2-3 °C thereafter. Similarly, no significant changes are anticipated in minimum temperatures across the rest of the country for the next 5 days.
Delhi weather
According to forecasts from the Meteorological (Met) office, Sunday is expected to bring generally cloudy skies. Temperatures are projected to range from a maximum of 26 degrees Celsius to a minimum of 9.0 degrees. Meanwhile, data from the Central Pollution Control Board indicates that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 186 at 6 pm, categorizing it as ‘moderate’.
Manali, Dalhousie receive fresh snow
The popular tourist spots of Manali and Dalhousie experienced a new round of snowfall yesterday. While Shimla initially had clear skies in the morning, the town and its surroundings later encountered icy winds and brief snow showers.
The regional MeT office has forecasted snowfall in numerous high-altitude areas from February 25 to March 1, along with rainfall expected in several mid-altitude regions on February 26, 27, and 29, extending to March 1. This weather pattern is anticipated due to the arrival of a new western disturbance likely to impact the Himalayan region starting February 26.
Additionally, a Yellow warning has been issued for thunderstorms and lightning at select locations on February 26, 27, and 29, as well as March 1, coinciding with the influence of the approaching western disturbance.
No relief from cold wave in Himachal
Continuing to endure harsh cold wave conditions, residents of Himachal Pradesh found little respite as minimum temperatures remained below average in most areas after light snowfall in tribal regions and higher elevations. Nichar experienced 10 cm of snow, with Kalpa receiving 7.8 cm, Sangla 2.8 cm, and Pooh 0.6 cm. Shimla and Kufri also saw light snowfall.
Kukumseri recorded the lowest temperature at minus 12.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Narkanda and Kalpa at minus 3.8 degrees each, Kufri at minus 2.2 degrees, Reckong Peo at minus 0.8 degrees, Shimla at zero degrees, and Solan and Manali at 1.4 and 1.6 degrees, respectively.
Daytime temperatures also dropped, with Kalpa reaching a high of 1.7 degrees Celsius, followed by Kukumseri at 2.6 degrees, Kufri at 2.9 degrees, Narkanda at 3.8 degrees, and Dalhousie at 4.1 degrees, which is ten degrees below the normal average.