The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said rainfall in northern India is expected to be 121% above the long-term average (LPA) in February. Based on data from 1961-2010, the region’s LPA in February was about 65.3 mm. Rainfall in January was over 129%, with more than 133% in northwest India.

Temperatures are likely to be below normal in most of the country. In parts of northeastern India, southern peninsula and central India, February minimum temperatures are likely to be normal or above normal.

An active western disturbance is likely to affect northwestern India from February 2, while a cyclone circulation is expected over Rajasthan a day later. In addition, moisture intrusion in the lower and mid-troposphere from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal to northwestern India is also likely on February 2 and 3. High humidity breeding in the lower troposphere to the east and the Bay of Bengal bordering northeastern India is also likely on February 3 and 4.

Another western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayas from February 6. Under the influence of the active western disturbance and its induced cyclonic circulation, widespread light to moderate rain or snow is likely to occur in the region from February 2 to 4. Isolated hailstorm May 2-3 in Jammu district of Himachal Pradesh and light rain in Uttarakhand on 3-4 February. Isolated light rain may occur in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on February 2. Haryana, Punjab may have widespread light to moderate rains, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on February 3rd and 4th with peak intensity on February 3rd.

Widespread light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Odisha on February 3-4. Isolated hailstorms are likely in Jharkhand and Odisha on February 4.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times