Delhi-NCR and large swathes of North India are bracing for another spell of unsettled weather as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts light rain and thunderstorms for Friday, October 16. This shift in weather follows a previous round of precipitation that arrived on Thursday, successfully driving down temperatures across the national capital and its surrounding districts.
According to the latest IMD bulletin, Delhi is expected to remain under a generally cloudy sky throughout the day on Friday. Meteorologists anticipate that very light to light rain, coupled with isolated incidents of thunderstorms and lightning, will occur at many locations during the period from early morning until noon. Temperature readings are likely to reflect these conditions; the maximum temperature is projected to stay within the range of 29°C to 31°C, while minimum temperatures will likely fluctuate between 18°C and 20°C. While minimum temperatures are expected to hover near seasonal norms, the maximum daytime temperatures are predicted to remain below normal across most parts of the capital.
Wind patterns are also expected to shift significantly throughout the day. Initially, winds will blow from the south-east at speeds reaching up to 15 kmph in the morning. By the afternoon, the direction is likely to transition to an easterly flow with increased speeds of up to 18 kmph, before tapering off to approximately 15 kmph as the night progresses. In the broader North Indian region, isolated to scattered rainfall is expected across Haryana, Chandigarh, and the national capital. This weather system may be accompanied by gusty winds, with speeds ranging between 30 and 40 kmph and occasional localized gusts hitting 50 kmph.
Further west and east, weather conditions remain dynamic. Parts of Punjab and East Uttar Pradesh are set to receive scattered showers, while West Uttar Pradesh continues to feel the effects of the rain spell that began on October 15. In Rajasthan, East Rajasthan is forecasted to experience isolated to scattered rainfall through October 16, following similar patterns seen in western parts of the state earlier this week.
High-altitude regions in Himachal Pradesh have already witnessed the onset of winter-like conditions, with fresh snowfall reported on Thursday. Districts including Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Kinnaur received a fresh dusting of snow, with areas such as Keylong and Koksar recording between 2 and 5 cm. Lower-altitude areas such as Mandi and Bilaspur were impacted by heavy rain and thunderstorms, leading to a marked decrease in daytime temperatures. The IMD expects this wet weather to persist in Himachal Pradesh through October 17.
Across other northern regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and surrounding areas like Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, rain is anticipated on October 16. Uttarakhand is also expected to continue experiencing precipitation, with the weather department warning of potential lightning and gusty winds as the current spell continues through October 18.
While North India deals with milder rainfall, the IMD has issued more severe warnings for the southern peninsula. The department has flagged the risk of isolated very heavy rainfall for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on October 16. Additionally, isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Kerala and Mahe, while South Interior Karnataka is also under an alert for heavy rain. The IMD has advised residents in these regions to stay updated with local weather reports as the combination of rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds continues to affect various states across the country.
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