An active western disturbance accompanied with energetic induced cyclonic circulation is arriving soon over North India. Hefty weather activity will start with the mountains and roll over to the plains later. Simultaneous bash across the region is expected between 23rd and 28th Jan 2023. Plains of North India starved of winter rains so far in this season will finally break the jinx, to observe decent showers, possibly accompanied with hailstones at few places.
A weak western disturbance is already stationed over Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Plumes of clouds have reached Himachal Pradesh as well and stray clouds even over Uttrakhand. Mid reaches of Kashmir Valley had snowfall and the lower ones and foothills witnessed light rainfall. Similar weather activity will continue for the next 3 days between 19th and 21st Jan. Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg will observe sporadic snow and freezing rains. Few foothill stations like Jammu, Kathua, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Ropar, Mohali and Chandigarh are likely to have light rains tonight or early morning tomorrow. Light sprinkle may even reach Ludhiana, Patiala, Karnal, Ambala, Panipat, Sonipat and Delhi, as well.
Plains of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan will see better weather conditions, including sunshine between 20th and 22nd Jan 2023. Inclement weather conditions are likely to clamp down, over the mountains and plains together, commencing 23rd Jan and last till 28th Jan or even stretch further to the fag end of the month.
Moderate to heavy snowfall is likely over Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Light to moderate activity is expected over Uttarakhand during this period. Popular destinations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Manali, Shimla, Kufri and higher reaches of Uttrakhand like Kedarnath, Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib will witness good spread of snow between 24th and 26th Jan. Even Nainital and Mussoorie stand a chance to observe light snowfall. One thing sure, it is going to turn out 'white on white' for the entire range of mountains, a delight for the tourists.
Flip side of weather activity will be likelihood of hailstorm at some places. While the rains are welcome by the farmers, strong winds and the hailstorm may become 'spoiler' for the crops. Damage to the grains of cereal crops and likely lodging due to gusty winds accompanied with thundershowers may prove detrimental for overall health of Rabi crops, at this stage.
