Cloudy Skies Set to Return to Chandigarh This Weekend
Chandigarh is experiencing a steady recovery in temperatures following a sharp dip caused by a western disturbance last week. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts mainly clear skies and gradually rising mercury over the next five days, with cloudy conditions likely to reappear by the weekend.
Temperature Trends and Current Conditions
On Monday, Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 29.7°C, which is up 1.6°C from the previous day and aligns perfectly with the seasonal normal. The minimum temperature settled at 15.0°C, marking a rise of 1.9°C overnight, though it remains 1.3°C below the typical level for this time of year. Relative humidity fluctuated between 84% and 49% throughout the day, with no rainfall reported in the city.
IMD's Five-Day Outlook for Tricity
The IMD's forecast for Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula indicates largely benign weather ahead:
- Tuesday and Wednesday: Clear skies will dominate, with maximum temperatures holding at 29-30°C and minimums at 15-16°C.
- Thursday: A partly cloudy spell is expected, with night temperatures jumping noticeably to 19°C, making it the warmest night of the forecast period.
- Friday: Skies will return to clear conditions.
- Saturday: Clouds are anticipated to build again, signaling a shift in weather patterns.
Extended Forecast and Regional Weather Patterns
The extended seven-day forecast highlights the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph on March 26 and March 29 for both Punjab and Haryana. This indicates that the pre-monsoon season is beginning to assert itself across the region.
In Punjab, the weather remained dry over the past 24 hours. The average maximum temperature rose by 1.3°C and is near normal, with Bhakra Dam in Ropar recording the highest maximum at 30.1°C. Ballowal Saunkhri in Nawanshahr district was the coldest spot at 12.8°C, though the state's average minimum is now 1.7°C above normal after a 2.6°C overnight increase.
In Haryana, isolated areas received light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. The state's average maximum temperature slipped marginally by 0.8°C and remains 2°C below normal. Bhiwani was the hottest station at 30.7°C, while the same district also recorded the lowest minimum at 12°C.
Seasonal Rainfall and Western Disturbance Impact
The seasonal rainfall tally for the region from March 1 to date stands at 21.4mm, which is 46.6% above normal. This reflects the active western disturbance activity that swept through the area in the past fortnight, contributing to the recent temperature fluctuations and weather variability.
