Western disturbance to bring rain, cold wave on New Year’s Eve: IMD

A western disturbance is expected to bring rain and snow to northwest India, including the Western Himalayan Region, on December 27 and 28, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, snowfall, thunderstorms, and lightning are likely over the region.

Dense fog and cold wave conditions are also forecasted in some areas of Punjab till December 31. A western disturbance, as a cyclonic circulation, lies over north Pakistan and its neighbourhood in lower and middle tropospheric levels. An induced cyclonic circulation prevails over southwest Rajasthan, with a trough running from north Pakistan to the east-central Arabian Sea.

Under the influence of these systems, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, is likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi on December 27. Isolated to scattered rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds with speeds of 30 to 40 kmph, is likely over the same region on December 28.

A fresh western disturbance is expected to affect the Western Himalayan Region from January 1, 2025, onwards, bringing light rainfall and snowfall to the region on January 1 and 2.

Over the past 24 hours, light rainfall with thunderstorms occurred at isolated places in Punjab, with areas around Nangal, Barnala, Moga, Faridkot, Jalandhar, and Patiala receiving up to 4 mm of rain. Rainfall in the state during this month has been deficient by 52 per cent so far.

The maximum temperatures recorded in the state ranged from 20.4 degrees Celsius at Moga to 23.9 degrees Celsius at Thein Dam. The minimum temperatures ranged from 5 degrees Celsius at Gurdaspur to 11.9 degrees Celsius at Abohar, which were above normal at a few places by up to 3.8 degrees.

Dense fog was also experienced in some areas. No significant change in minimum temperatures is forecasted by IMD during the next 48 hours over north-west India. However, temperatures will fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the subsequent three days.