Ahmedabad Witnesses Sudden Evening Hailstorm and Temperature Plunge
Evening showers swept through Ahmedabad on Friday, bringing a welcome respite from the heat and capping off a relatively mild day. While most parts of the city experienced moderate rainfall, several eastern neighborhoods were hit by strong winds accompanied by hail, creating dramatic weather conditions.
Local Reports of Hail and Strong Winds
Harshad Patel, a social worker residing in Hatkeshwar, provided firsthand accounts of the weather event. He reported that areas including Bakrol, Kathwada, Singarva, and certain sections of Ramol saw intense rain combined with powerful gusts and hail. "The day began with lower temperatures and high humidity levels, but by 6 PM, the weather transformed abruptly," Patel explained. "Fortunately, there were no reports of major damage resulting from the hailstorm." By nighttime, the clouds had cleared, and temperatures returned to stable levels.
Western Disturbance Drives Rainfall Across Gujarat
The rainfall was attributed to a Western Disturbance, a weather system that also delivered showers to multiple regions across the state. Precipitation measurements recorded until 6 PM highlighted significant totals: Kalyanpur in Devbhumi Dwarka received 26mm, Patan-Veraval in Gir Somnath district recorded 25mm, and Bhavnagar saw 17mm of rainfall.
Temperature Variations and Meteorological Insights
Maximum temperatures in cities across Gujarat dropped noticeably. Ahmedabad recorded a high of 34.2 degrees Celsius, which was 4.2 degrees below the normal average for this time of year. The city's minimum temperature stood at 24.1 degrees, marking a 1.6-degree increase above normal. Throughout the state, minimum temperatures generally ranged between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that an upper air cyclonic circulation persisted over Gujarat on Friday. Looking ahead, the IMD forecasts that temperatures in Ahmedabad are likely to remain within a similar range on Saturday, with partly cloudy skies expected. The influence of the Western Disturbance is anticipated to diminish starting Saturday, with minimal chances of substantial rainfall. However, meteorologists predict a fresh round of Western Disturbance activity could commence from April 7, potentially bringing more weather changes to the region.
