Western Disturbance Arriving Soon, Fresh Snowfall Likely Over Mountains
Mar 24, 2025, 1:00 PM | Skymet Weather Team
Fresh Round of Snowfall Expected in Sonamarg and Manali | Image Credit: Canva
A western disturbance is arriving tonight over the northern mountains as an upper air system. The weather system will affect the region between 24th and 27th March. The remnant effect will be observed for another 24 hours. The weather activity will be more intense and spread out for the state of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, followed by scattered activity for Himachal Pradesh and the least impact on Uttarakhand.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir will have snowfall in the mountain ranges with an elevation of about 10,000 feet or more. The state will observe the wet spell for nearly four days, with a peak around 26th Mar. While places like Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam may witness rain and thundershowers, locations like Sonamarg will have fresh rounds of snowfall. In Himachal Pradesh, while Dalhousie, Dharamsala and Shimla may have rain and thundershowers, the popular resort of Manali could witness light snowfall. The state of Uttarakhand will have very light activity and mostly confined to the higher reaches, and that too, for a day or two. The other two states will have winter snow and rainfall between 24th and 27th March, with a spillover effect on 28th March. There is a likelihood of a hailstorm as well, at some places.
In the month of March, the western disturbance starts receding their track more to the north. However, the frequency of weather systems increases. March is also the rainiest month for the hills. The states of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have received below-normal rain and snow so far in the month, with a monthly shortfall of 32% and 16%, respectively. Uttarakhand is a shade better with a surplus of about 33% rainfall between 01st and 23rd March 2023.
The plains of North India will remain beyond reach of the weather system. However, during the passage of the system between 24th and 27th March, the temperatures will rise and drop later after the system starts clearing on 28th March. No major disruption in the communication and connectivity is anticipated over the hilly states. However, a caution needs to be exercised between 26th & 27th Mar for a possible spike in the intensity and spread of weather activity.
