The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday that the rain spell will continue over northwest India, with rainfall activity expected to intensify and reach its peak on March 29-30.
The forecasts come amid continued activity of thunderstorms, stormy winds, and scattered rain that fell on several areas of the country during the past 24 hours.
According to the International Meteorological Institute, the developing weather pattern is driven by multiple systems, including westerly disturbances and cyclonic circulations, which will likely bring widespread rainfall, snowfall in higher elevations, and strong winds across northern regions.
Stormy weather in several areas
The current weather system is not limited to the Northwest.
Thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds have already been reported across multiple states in the last 24 hours, including Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka.
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Hailstorm activity was also observed in isolated areas like Uttarakhand, Gangetic, West Bengal, Odisha and coastal Maharashtra, indicating unstable weather conditions.
Northwest India
Rainfall activity is expected to intensify over northwest India in the coming days.
Light to moderate rain or snowfall is likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh on March 27, becoming more widespread between March 28 and 30 with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. Uttarakhand is likely to witness increased activity between March 29 and 31.
In the plains, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and parts of Uttar Pradesh, light to moderate rains with thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected during the same period. Heavy rain or snowfall is likely in Kashmir Valley on March 30.
Northeast India
Northeast India is set to witness widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds until March 31.
Arunachal Pradesh is likely to witness rainfall between March 27 and 29, while Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura will witness continuous activity during this period.
Strong winds and isolated hailstorms are likely in parts of Assam and Meghalaya on March 27.
Heavy rains are expected in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on March 29, in Arunachal Pradesh on March 28-29 and April 1-2, and in Assam and Meghalaya on March 28-30 and April 1-2.
East India
Eastern parts of the country will continue to experience brisk weather conditions, with fairly widespread rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds over the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal and Sikkim from March 27 to 31.
Bihar is expected to receive rainfall on March 28 and 29, while Jharkhand may see rain on March 28, March 31 and April 1.
Odisha is likely to witness rainfall between March 30 and April 2. Hailstorms and strong winds are expected in isolated areas of West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar from March 27 to 28, and in Jharkhand and Odisha on March 27. Heavy rains are likely in the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal and Sikkim on March 27-28.
Central India
Central India is likely to witness intermittent rains over the next few days. Madhya Pradesh may receive light to moderate rains with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds on March 27 and again between March 29 and 31.
Similar weather conditions are expected in Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh over the next week. Isolated hailstorm activity is also likely over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh on March 29.
West India
Parts of western India, especially Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada, are likely to witness rains accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds on March 30 and 31. Lightning activity is also expected in these areas on March 27 and 29.
Gujarat is likely to receive rainfall on March 29 and 30, while coastal Maharashtra may receive rainfall on March 30. There is also a possibility of snow storm activity in some areas during this period.
Southern peninsular India
The southern states are expected to witness scattered rains, thunderstorms and active winds during the coming days. Kerala and Mahe are likely to see rainfall between March 27 and 31, while interior Karnataka may see activity between March 27 and April 2.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana are also expected to receive rainfall during this period. Tamil Nadu may see activity on March 29, while coastal Karnataka is likely to see continued rainfall until early April.
Hot and humid conditions
Hot and humid weather is likely to prevail in isolated pockets of coastal Maharashtra and Kerala on March 27. Similar conditions are expected over coastal Karnataka between March 27 and 29.
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The IMD said maximum temperatures in northwest India are likely to fall by 2-4 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours, rise slightly during March 29-30, and then fall again towards the end of the month. No significant change is expected in most other regions in the near term.
