An itinerant western disturbance located over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday is well and truly calling the shots in terms of associated weather.

The steaming front-end has lifted minimum temperatures from the freezing lows and caused heavy rain and snow in the higher reaches of northwest India.

It has also kept live the continued probability for hailstorms in the vulnerable rabi crop lands in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, north Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh.

Elsewhere, cold wave conditions filtered into most parts of north peninsula and adjoining central and east India during the last 24 hours ending Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued related weather warning for the region valid for the next two days.

Another cold snap could be in the bargain as this weather-maker western disturbance signs off and passes to the east later this week.

Its warm front-end marked by lower pressure and rising motion of air would also help bring fog or showers to the Northeastern States.

Extended influence

From its perch over north Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, the westerly system is expected to influence regional weather for the next three days, the IMD said.

An Insat picture showed the presence of convective (rain-bearing) clouds over parts of the western Himalayan region and Punjab.

Less-productive low to medium-high clouds were seen hanging over parts of Punjab, Haryana and north Rajasthan.

During the last 24 hours ending Sunday morning, minimum temperatures have risen by 4-5 degree Celsius over parts of Punjab, Haryana, West Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Minimum mercury

They were above normal by 4-8 degree Celsius over Punjab, Haryana and west Rajasthan and 2-3 degree Celsius over parts of west Uttar Pradesh and east Rajasthan.

The lowest minimum temperature of 3.8 degree Celsius was recorded at Sikar in Rajasthan in the plains.

Rain or snowfall was reported from most places over Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and at a few places over Uttarakhand.

A few places over Punjab and one or two places in Haryana and North Rajasthan have also received rain or thundershowers during this period.

> vinson@thehindu.co.in