Weather Update: Northern India Braces for Heavy Rain and Snowfall This Weekend

According to the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a potent western disturbance is slated to affect weather patterns across North India beginning Saturday night. These disturbances, originating over the Mediterranean Sea and traveling eastwards, gather moisture along the way, which is then unleashed over North India.

The influence of this incoming weather system is expected to bring widespread rainfall and snowfall of varying intensities to the Western Himalayan Region from Saturday through to next Thursday. The peak of the precipitation activity is anticipated between Sunday and Tuesday, with heavy rainfall and snowfall forecasted for regions including Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, and Himachal Pradesh. Uttarakhand is also expected to experience similar conditions on Monday and Tuesday.

Certain areas may even witness very heavy downpours, with isolated locations across Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand potentially facing significant rainfall and snowfall on Monday.

In addition to precipitation, the IMD warns of possible hailstorm activity in Jammu on Sunday, Himachal on Sunday and Monday, and Uttarakhand from Sunday to Tuesday.

In light of these forecasts, the IMD has issued an orange alert for all the aforementioned states and territories, urging residents to prepare for adverse weather conditions. Major districts within these regions, including Jammu, Srinagar, Shimla, Kullu, Dehradun, Haridwar, and Nainital, are also under heavy rain, snow, and thunderstorm alerts during this period.

This bout of weather comes on the heels of repeated western disturbances throughout February, resulting in ample precipitation across the Western Himalayan Region over the past couple of weeks.

Between February 1 and 16, Ladakh recorded a 25% excess in precipitation at 5 mm, while Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand reported 'normal' figures at 60.8 mm and 35.4 mm, respectively. However, Jammu-Kashmir experienced a 37% deficit compared to its average for this time frame, with precipitation measured at 41.3 mm.

Residents and authorities are advised to stay updated on weather forecasts and take necessary precautions to minimize any potential impacts from the impending inclement weather.