Updated on February 29, 2016 12:00 PM (IST): Rain and hailstorm in Maharashtra likely to be harmful for crops
Maharashtra generally experiences dry weather conditions in the month of February. However, during the last 2 days, rain and hailstorm have ended this dry spell.
On Saturday, few pockets of Vidarbha like Nagpur and Gondia witnessed some light rain. Wardha and Yeotmal received some hailstorm as well. On Sunday, Nagpur received 17 mm of rain which is good rainfall in winter standards.
The rain belt will extend from Vidarbha and spread up to Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada. A rainy week is in the offing for Maharashtra. Rain will reduce in Vidarbha after 24 hours and will gradually increase in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada. In fact even the coastal areas including Mumbai could receive some rainfall between March 1 and 4.
Hailstorm is likely in few parts of Maharashtra, barring the coastal stations. Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada will receive good showers during next few days. Aurangabad, Nashik and Pune will receive the heaviest showers. This spell of rain will reduce the temperatures significantly but it will be harmful for the crops which have reached the harvesting stage.
This prolonged and widespread spell of rain could be attributed to the confluence zone created by winds coming from the North and humid air coming from the Bay of Bengal. The trough can also be seen extending from West Madhya Pradesh to Madhya Maharashtra.
Updated on February 28, 2016 10:00 AM (IST): Rain and hailstorm end dry spell in Maharashtra, South Madhya Pradesh
Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and South Madhya Pradesh practically haven’t received any rain for last one month. This long dry spell has finally come to an end.
The weather system, which is lying over Southwest Madhya Pradesh, may now allow some widespread rainfall activity over Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha and South Madhya Pradesh.
Intensity of rain will be generally light. Nevertheless, few pockets may receive good rainfall with squally winds blowing at a speed of 60 to 80 kmph. Southwest Madhya Pradesh and North Vidarbha may witness isolated hailstorm.
In fact, on Saturday night few pockets of Vidarbha like Nagpur (trace) and Gondia (2 mm) witnessed some light rain. Jabalpur also received traces of rain. Wardha and Yeotmal have received some hailstorm as well.
The embedded cyclonic circulation over Southwest Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas will persist for another 48 hours. The trough can also be seen running from Southwest Madhya Pradesh to Karnataka, across the cyclonic circulation and Madhya Maharashtra. Rainfall will continue for next couple of days.
Temperatures were significantly above normal over these areas. The present spell of rain will bring down the temperatures to normal levels.
Isolated rain activity is likely in the coastal belt of North Madhya Maharashtra. Mumbai may receive light rain after 48 hours.
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