Light to moderate rain or snow is likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh between January 19 and 21, followed by more widespread precipitation from January 22 to 24, the IMD said in its weather bulletin.
Isolated heavy snowfall is forecast over Kashmir, Ladakh and higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh on January 23. Uttarakhand is also likely to see scattered rain and snowfall on January 21 and 22, becoming more widespread on January 23 and 24, it added.
Cyclonic circulation near Pakistan influencing weather
Explaining the evolving weather pattern, the IMD said a western disturbance currently lies over Pakistan and adjoining areas as a cyclonic circulation in the lower troposphere, with a trough extending into the middle and upper atmospheric levels.
An induced cyclonic circulation has also formed over central Rajasthan, which is expected to impact weather conditions over northwest India in the coming days.
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Additionally, the IMD reported that a subtropical westerly jet stream with wind speeds of around 135 knots at about 12.6 km above sea level is prevailing over northeast India, aiding the movement of weather systems.
Rain likely over northwest plains
Under the influence of these systems, light to moderate rain is likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan between January 22 and 24, the IMD said.
Thunderstorm activity is expected over Uttarakhand on January 23 and 24, and over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Rajasthan on January 22 and 23.
Dense fog to persist over north India
Dense to very dense fog conditions are expected to continue over parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and Delhi over the next few days.
Very low visibility was reported at several locations over the past 24 hours, including zero visibility at Amritsar and Delhi’s Safdarjung airport, as per IMD.
Cold wave conditions were observed in isolated parts of east Uttar Pradesh and interior Odisha.
Temperature outlook and Delhi forecast
The IMD said minimum temperatures over northwest India are likely to remain largely unchanged for the next four days before rising by 3-5 degrees Celsius thereafter.
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For Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), the IMD forecast partly cloudy skies with fog during morning hours from January 19 onwards.
Maximum temperatures are expected to remain above normal, while minimum temperatures may dip below normal by January 21, as per IMD.
