Rain relief likely in capital, snow in J-K due to western disturbance

After a spell of warm weather followed by cloudy skies, the Delhi-NCR region may finally get some respite this week thanks to western disturbance, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

After a spell of warm weather followed by cloudy skies, the Delhi-NCR region may finally get some respite this week thanks to western disturbance, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

After a spell of warm weather followed by cloudy skies, Delhi-NCR may finally get some respite thanks to western disturbance. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

Some places in the National Capital Region may experience dust storms on Wednesday evening.

A spell of hot weather usually attracts rain but the prevalent dry conditions can give rise to a dust storm instead. Rain and thunderstorms are anticipated to follow on Thursday and Friday evening.

Snowfall is expected in Jammu and Kashmir starting Tuesday evening and a warning has been issued for the northern state for heavy rainfall and snow for Wednesday and Thursday.

Western disturbance refers to a change brought about by weather systems moving from west to east. It usually brings rainfall because of the formation of a low-pressure area near the land surface that impacts wind pattern and temperatures.

The maximum temperature in Delhi will dip by 2 degrees Celsius from 29 degrees C on Wednesday, to 27 degrees C on Thursday and the minimum will fall by 1 degree C to14 degrees C. The maximum temperature in the capital will drop to 24 degrees C by Saturday.

March 1 usually marks the beginning of the pre-monsoon season in India which lasts until May. Western disturbance usually brings rain to northwestern India during the winter and pre-monsoon months. These rains are important for rabi crops like wheat.

The northwest region, including Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh and Delhi NCR can expect bouts of rain from Wednesday evening (March 8) to Friday (March 10). Uttar Pradesh and northern Rajasthan will see light showers or thundershowers during the same period.

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may see spurts of heavy rainfall and snowfall on Thursday and hail and squall may also hit the two states on Thursday and Friday.

The western disturbance is likely to bring temporary relief for India’s northwest region as the long-term forecast from IMD shows that temperatures over the next three months from March to May will be at least 1 degree C above normal.