State of Odisha is infamous for hailstorm activity at the commencement of pre-monsoon season. While parts of North and Central India covering states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have experienced hailstorm during last one week, Odisha is yet to catch up. Weather activity is though detrimental for the crops, but the eastern parts including state of Odisha can not escape for long from this unwelcome and unpleasant round.
Odisha figures amongst the hottest pockets along with interiors of Tamil Nadu , Rayalaseema and Karnataka. The day temperature has breached 37degree mark over interiors of Odisha like Titlagarh, Bhawanipatna, Bolangir, Sambalpur and the coastal town of Chandbali. Such high temperatures act as catalyst to enhance thunder cloud activity.
Drier winds from the central parts and Indo Gangetic plains are sweeping interiors of the state of Odisha. Presence of anticyclone over north Bay of Bengal will be fuelling moist winds along the coastal parts of Odisha and neighbourhood. Convergence of two streams with different characteristics find favour for triggering pre monsoon thunderstorms.
Under favourable conditions, such thunderstorm grow tall to produce hailstones in the upper portion of the storms. State of Odisha is ideally placed to host such weather activity, more so between March and April.
Light showers and isolated thunderstorm activity is expected from 27th to 29th March. Intensity and spread will increase between 30th March and 01st April. Hailstorm accompanied with lightning and thunderstorm is likely to be strong on 31st March and 01st April. Caution need to be exercised by the field workers and the farmers exposed in the open, more so during evening and late hours.
