A powerful western disturbance is set to sweep across northern India on Thursday, March 19, bringing a dramatic shift from the unseasonable warmth that had gripped the region in early March. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several states, predicting a significant wet spell lasting until March 20.
The system is expected to trigger widespread light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour.
Weather expert Devendra Tripathi, founder of Mausam Tak and a prominent voice on Kisan Tak, describes the incoming conditions as a January-like rain situation in the middle of March.
WILL TEMPERATURES REALLY DROP IN MARCH?
Yes, and sharply. Residents across the northern plains should brace for a sudden drop in temperatures to a range of 18 to 24 degrees Celsius.
The brief but significant dip will effectively bring back sweater-wearing weather, offering a temporary reprieve from the climbing heat of early summer.
The mercury is expected to fall by four to six degrees Celsius from current levels, which Devendra Tripathi calls a reminder of the shifting climate patterns affecting the public and farmers alike.
Independent weather expert Navdeep Dahiya has corroborated this forecast, warning that dust-raising winds and squally conditions could disrupt normal life across the Delhi-NCR region, particularly during evening hours.
WHICH STATES WILL BE MOST AFFECTED BY RAIN AND STORMS?
According to the latest IMD bulletins, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh will witness fairly widespread weather activity. Thunderstorms and gusty winds will be the defining feature of this spell across the northern plains, with isolated pockets likely to experience significant disruption.
The interaction between the western disturbance and moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal is creating what Tripathi describes as a volatile atmospheric setup, with conditions ripening for intense local weather events across multiple states simultaneously.
WILL THERE BE HAILSTORMS AND SNOWFALL IN THE HILLS?
The hilly states are in for a rough spell. Isolated hailstorms are likely in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where the elevated terrain will intensify the storm system.
Heavy snowfall accumulation is expected across higher reaches, and Devendra Tripathi has strongly advised those planning to travel to the hills to exercise extreme caution.
For the plains below, hailstorms remain an added risk in vulnerable agricultural zones, a concern that is particularly significant for farmers heading into the crucial pre-harvest period.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR NORTHEAST INDIA?
While the north braces for the western disturbance, northeast India will continue to experience persistent pre-monsoon activity independent of this system. Heavy rain is likely to lash Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, where moisture levels remain elevated.
Skymet reports indicate that the northeast’s wet phase is being driven by its own distinct set of atmospheric conditions, making this a nationwide weather event of considerable scale.
HOW LONG WILL THIS COLD SPELL LAST?
The wet spell is forecast to persist until March 20, 2026, after which conditions are expected to gradually stabilise. This makes it a short but impactful weather window of roughly 48 hours.
While the relief from heat will be welcome, authorities are urging residents, farmers, and travellers to stay updated with IMD alerts and avoid unnecessary exposure during peak storm hours.
