New Delhi, February 21: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted thunderstorms and hailstorms in northern parts of Maharashtra and western region of Madhya Pradesh on February 23 and 24. The change in climatic conditions can be attributed to the western disturbance. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a statement also predicted similar situation over Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra, Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on February 24.

The forecast has predicted heavy rain/snowfall at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on 24th February. According to the IMD release, the minimum temperature is likely to rise by 2-4°C over northwest India during next 4 days while the maximum temperatures are likely to continue to be above normal by 2-4°C over northwest India. However, a fall in maximum temperatures by 3-4°C likely on 24th February, associated with the expected rainfall activity over the region. IMD informed that there will be no significant change in maximum temperatures likely over the rest of the country during next 3-4 days.

“Thunderstorm accompanied with hailstorm, gusty winds and Lightning very likely at isolated places over the northern districts of Madhya Maharashtra and west Madhya Pradesh on 23rd & 24th February”. “Jammu Division, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Marathwada and Vidarbha on 24th February”, it added.

The IMD release informed that a western disturbance as a trough in westerlies lies close to northwest India at present and is likely to affect western Himalayan region and adjoining Punjab during next 48 hours.  It stated that another western disturbance is likely to affect Western Himalayan region and adjoining plains during 23rd-25th February.

“An induced cyclonic circulation is also very likely to develop over south Pakistan & neighbourhood on 23rd and move over to northwest India subsequently. The interaction between this western disturbance and a trough in lower level easterlies very likely to take place over central and adjoining peninsular India during 23rd - 25th February”, the IMD said in its release.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2018 06:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).