Western disturbance, cyclonic circulation and rainfall alert; check IMD’s forecast for Indian states

A western disturbance lies as a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan and adjoining Punjab in lower levels with trough aloft in middle tropospheric westerlies informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday.

In addition, there is high moisture feeding from the Arabian Sea over northwest India. Under its influence, widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is very likely over the Western Himalayan Region on February 20 and 21, and isolated/scattered light to moderate rainfall/snowfall on February 22 and February 23, 2024.

As per the IMD, isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall is very likely accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh during February 20th -22nd.

Similarly, isolated light/moderate rainfall over northwest Madhya Pradesh is expected from February 20 to February 22. Under the influence of a fresh trough/cyclonic circulation over East India in lower tropospheric levels and likely eastwards movement of western disturbance, widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall/snowfall with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 60 kmph) is very likely over Northeast India during 20th to 23rd and isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall/snowfall during 24th- 26th February 2024.

Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on February 22,2024. Hailstorm activity is also very likely at isolated places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar on February 21, 2024, said IMD.