Rain -Snow Lash Northern Mountains, White-Out Likely At Many Resorts

Moderate to heavy rain and snow is expected to lash the northern hilly states between 22^nd and 24^th Feb. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will have a bigger share, followed by Himachal Pradesh.  Least and light weather activity is likely over Uttarakhand. The spread of inclement weather activity will be large on 22^nd Feb and marginally reduce on 23^rd Feb. The next two days, it will shrink further to become light and scattered on 24^th Feb and mild and isolated on 25^th Feb.

Northern mountains have been strafed by record number of Western Disturbances in February.  So far, only two active systems trounced the region and rest were mostly sparing in terms of fury and ferocity. The latest one now will be an active system, dumping heavy snow at many places including Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Kupwara and Poonch.

Rohtang and Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh will also be battered by moderate snow , while the mid reaches like Manali, Shimla are expected to witness rain and thundershowers. Elevated mountains of Uttarakhand beyond 10,000’, are also likely to have similar weather activity.

Intermittent rain and snow, heavy at places may lead to disruption in connectivity.  Road links and airfield operations may get restricted for short durations. Limited weather activity is expected on 24^th and 25^th Feb and general clearance, the next day on 26^thFeb.  Close on heels, yet another weather system can be expected reaching the Western Himalayas between 28^th Feb and 02^nd Mar, albeit not as strong as the predecessor.