The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain warning for Karnataka’s capital, Bengaluru, for three days till March 21.
It has been raining for three consecutive days in Silicon Valley, India. According to a report by The Indian Express (IE), several parts of interior Karnataka and Bengaluru witnessed rain and hail on March 17 and 18. The report also said that rainfall accompanied by hail is a rare occurrence in Bengaluru during March.
What is behind this sudden shift in weather?
The current conditions are attributed to a specific atmospheric setup, the interaction between two anticyclonic systems over the state, combined with temperature fluctuations. This has led to lower freezing levels in the atmosphere, which increases the likelihood of hail formation along with rainfall, the IE report further states.
A rare March pattern
Rainfall is not uncommon in Bengaluru during March, but hailstorms are. The city reportedly recorded zero hailstorm days in March between 1991 and 2020.
Hail is usually recorded in April (average 0.1 days) and May (average 0.4 days).
What has been recorded so far?
– 18.-19. Bengaluru recorded 7 mm of rainfall in March.
– The northern edge, including the Bengaluru International Airport area, received a much higher 64.8 mm.
What awaits us in the next three days
As per the weekly forecast issued by the IMD, Bengaluru is likely to witness intermittent rainfall and cloudy skies till March 21. However, no official warning has been issued by the ministry so far.
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March 19
The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 31 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius respectively. The city will experience generally cloudy skies with one or two showers or thunderstorms.
March 20
The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle at 33 and 20 degrees Celsius respectively. Similar weather conditions are expected to continue.
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March 21
Temperatures should range between 33 and 20 degrees Celsius. The forecast shows generally cloudy skies with one to two showers or thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, a strong western disturbance brought significant rain and snowfall to the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, with the weather agency predicting more thunderstorms and hail.
According to the Shimla Meteorological Centre, Manali recorded the highest rainfall of 53 mm, followed by Sarahan (32.5 mm) and Seobagh (32.4 mm). At high altitudes, Gondhla received 13 cm of snow, Keylong 12 cm and Kukumseri 11.4 cm.
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Katiyar further said heavy rainfall is likely in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts on March 19 for which an orange warning has been issued, while heavy snowfall is expected in Lahaul and Spiti.
“Temperatures across the state are currently 6-7 degrees Celsius below normal, while minimum temperatures are 2-3 degrees lower. Temperatures are expected to remain in the same range during the next two days,” he added.
