Pune: Pre-monsoon weather systems are set to trigger thundershowers across parts of Maharashtra over the coming days, but the city is likely to remain dry.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast issued on Monday, south Madhya Maharashtra and parts of Marathwada, including Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Beed, Latur and Dharashiv, are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, moderate rainfall and gusty winds (40–50 kmph) at isolated places around May 7–8.
The IMD has issued yellow alerts for these areas. Ghat regions of Kolhapur, Satara and Pune are also expected to receive light to moderate rain or thundershowers during this period. Coastal belts like Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg may get light rain or thunderstorms towards the end of the forecast window. Meanwhile, coastal districts such as Palghar, Thane, Mumbai and Raigad are expected to see hot and humid conditions.
Pune city is expected to remain dry as of now. The IMD forecast on Monday showed no rainfall activity for the city over the next few days despite increasing pre-monsoon activity in surrounding regions. Similar patterns of scattered thunderstorms affecting parts of the state while Pune remains dry have been observed earlier as well.
IMD scientist S D Sanap explained that the change in weather is due to evolving synoptic conditions. "Model guidance indicates a possibility of moisture incursion from both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. At the same time, a trough in the westerlies is extending from parts of Madhya Pradesh towards south Madhya Maharashtra. Because of this, some models are suggesting rainfall activity, especially around May 7-8," he said.
Sanap clarified that the rainfall would be scattered and not uniform across the state. "We have not forecast rainfall for Pune as of now. South Madhya Maharashtra and parts of Marathwada may experience isolated rainfall," he added.
He noted that the pattern is consistent with typical pre-monsoon conditions, when moisture inflow and upper-air troughs trigger localised thunderstorms rather than widespread rain.
