The Hindu Business Line : Rain and snow in the North

THE southwest monsoon may have withdrawn from almost half of the Indian landmass, but the skies in the north have become active again, leading to rain and snow at various places in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

This sudden surge in rain/snow activity comes in the wake of a western disturbance system that moved in from north Pakistan. After crossing into India, it has traversed a north-northeastern trajectory.

The `cross-border movement' of the weather system is a welcome change for most of northwest India, largely failed by the just-concluded southwest monsoon.

This is the first of the season and is on time, keeping with the established pattern of seasonal weather disturbances, according to Dr M. Rajeevan, Director - Forecasting, India Meteorological Department (IMD). At times, they have beaten forecasts by moving in even early.

The official IMD weather bulletin said the rain was caused by western disturbances moving in from north Pakistan and an induced upper air cyclonic circulation over north Rajasthan and neighbouring areas.

Moderate rain or thundershowers are still likely to be under the influence of the western disturbance and the deep westerly trough.

Though normally associated with the advent of the winter in the North, one cannot say when the colder climes will exactly manifest themselves. "But, these are good signs of winter approaching," Dr Rajeevan said.

Temperature lows: Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains lashed the northern parts of the country leading to a sharp drop in temperatures. Chandigarh and the adjoining towns witnessed continuous downpour since Sunday evening. Night temperatures fell to a record low of 18.4 degree Celsius at Chandigarh, and 17.2 degree Celsius at Ambala.

Jammu received 2.3 cm of rain and Srinagar 4.1 cm. The mercury sank to 17.6 degree Celsis and 7.4 degree Celsius respectively. Himachal Pradesh also received widespread rain.

Lower temperatures and raised moisture levels are expected to benefit the winter crop.

Western disturbances are difficult to predict but bring about widespread rainfall. About two to three such systems are known to pass northwest India during a winter month. Their number varies from year to year. These systems also modulate winter climate over north India.

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