The Northeast Monsoon has withdrawn from the South Peninsula. Seasonal features have receded from the southern tip of India and are now prevalent over Sri Lanka as the ‘Maha’ Monsoon. Seasonal equatorial disturbances will continue to move from east to west in the equatorial region affecting Sri Lanka, Comorin, and Maldives region. Kerala and Tamil Nadu will remain far from the reach of these systems. Extension of some stray trough or wave may crash over these parts, albeit mildly, and spray sprinkle for a brief period, not amounting to any measurable rainfall.
Active northeast monsoon season as such lasts till December end. Somehow, it got extended this season and the southern parts had decent rains in the first 10 days of January. Courtesy, of these showers, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, South Interior Karnataka, Coastal Karnataka, and Lakshadweep have recorded large excess rainfall. The upcoming dry spell will partially consume this surplus but remain on the plus side by the month's end.
No storms or depressions form during the second half of January, till February end. Though, there are no official bounds as such, storms and depressions remain far and few, even in March. So, this is a lean weather period for South India. Rise in temperature and the pre-monsoon activity largely occur in 2nd half of March. However, a chain of Bay Islands in the Andaman Sea and Lakshadweep Islands remain susceptible to frequent showers.
Image Credit: The News Indian Express
