Chandigarh experienced a subdued weather day on Thursday, remaining largely dry despite a yellow alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. This comes a day after the southwest monsoon arrived in the city with the season's heaviest rainfall. Overcast skies, a cool breeze, and isolated traces of drizzle were the only weather activity, as the predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms did not materialize.
Rainfall Data and Monsoon Onset
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chandigarh recorded 10.7 mm of rainfall between 5:30 pm on Wednesday and 8:30 am on Thursday. No further rainfall was recorded thereafter until the filing of this report. This followed 22 mm recorded at the Chandigarh airport observatory and 10.2 mm at the city observatory between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Wednesday, when the southwest monsoon reached the city.
With a total of over 32 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, the first spell of July's first day nearly matched Chandigarh's entire June rainfall of 39.3 mm. June ended with a 75% rainfall deficit, making it the third driest June in the past 14 years.
Temperature Trends and Forecast
The city witnessed a marginal rise in the maximum temperature after Wednesday's sharp fall. Chandigarh recorded a maximum of 33.6°C, up 3.9°C from the previous day but still 1.9°C below normal. The minimum temperature dipped further to 24.5°C, down 2.9°C and 2.6°C below normal, indicating relatively cooler nights following the monsoon onset.
The IMD has retained the yellow alert for Friday and Saturday for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places. However, the forecast indicates only partly cloudy skies with thunderstorms and light rain, suggesting no widespread rainfall over the next two days.
Active Spell Expected from Sunday
A more active spell is expected from Sunday through Wednesday, when the weather office has again issued a yellow alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, with fairly widespread to widespread rainfall likely over Chandigarh. The five-day forecast indicates maximum temperatures between 33°C and 36°C, while minimum temperatures are expected to remain in the 24-25°C range.
A meteorologist said the city had entered the monsoon phase, but rainfall would occur in spells rather than continuously. "The southwest monsoon has reached Chandigarh and rainfall activity will now be intermittent. Isolated showers are likely over the next two days, while another active phase with widespread rain is expected from Sunday onwards. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal because of persistent cloud cover and periodic rainfall," he said.
