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An unusual weather phenomenon is currently unfolding across parts of India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, bringing intense rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and even hailstorms, at a time when summer heat typically begins to set in.
According to reports, this event is notable not only for its timing but also for its unique structure, as it features a perfectly linear, low-pressure western disturbance stretching a 1,000-kilometre rain band from Afghanistan through Pakistan and deep into India. This rare formation highlights increasingly unpredictable weather patterns in the region.
Rain accompanied by gusty winds swept across New Delhi, pulling down temperatures sharply and making this month the wettest March in three years, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Unusual Western Disturbance Triggers Widespread Impact
As per reports, the active western disturbance, marked by an upper-air cyclonic circulation over northern Pakistan, is driving widespread thunderstorms, gusty winds ranging from 40 to 80 kmph, isolated hailstorms, and light-to-moderate rainfall or snowfall across northwest India.
The system has already brought heavy to very heavy rain to sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, while states such as south Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have received significant showers. Hailstorms have also been reported in several regions.
Unlike typical systems that curve northeast, this disturbance appears as a straight trough in the middle and upper westerlies. It is interacting with multiple lower-tropospheric cyclonic circulations over north Madhya Pradesh, east Uttar Pradesh, west Rajasthan, Haryana, northeast Assam, coastal Andhra, and interior Tamil Nadu-Kerala, intensifying its impact across a wide area.
Moisture Source and System Dynamics
The core moisture feeding this system originates from evaporation over the Mediterranean, Caspian, Black, and Persian Gulf seas. As the system travels eastward across the Middle East, the Arabian Sea further enhances its moisture content, especially due to orographic lift over the Himalayas.
Additional troughs over the Gujarat-Mannar region and associated cyclonic features are strengthening low-level convergence, leading to intense weather activity.
The current western disturbance is expected to remain active over the Western Himalayas and adjoining plains through today, with activity likely to reduce thereafter. However, another weak western disturbance is expected to approach from March 22.
Delhi-NCR Forecast and Changing Climate Trends
Delhi woke up to light rain and gusty winds on Friday morning, with a considerable drop in temperature. Climatologically, India typically experiences four to six intense western disturbances per month between December and February, with activity sharply declining by late March as the jet stream weakens and shifts northward. Large systems during this period are historically rare.
However, recent trends suggest a lengthening of the western disturbance season, with increasing activity extending into April. This shift is being linked to stronger subtropical jet streams and broader climate variability, making such late-season events more frequent and unpredictable.
A rare weather system has brought unseasonal rain and a winter-like chill to Delhi-NCR, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow and an orange alert. The sudden shift in weather has surprised residents, with temperatures dropping and conditions resembling January rather than late March. What began as scattered rainfall has now developed into a broader spell of thunderstorms, gusty winds, and overcast skies across the region.
“An unusual Western Disturbance has reached North India. Its structure is quite different. A trough is situated in a straight line spanning thousands of kilometers, which is generally very rare. It has the capacity to create very strong thunderstorms and thunderclouds, so be cautious and follow IMD,” said Dr Pradeep, who describes himself as a climate scientist, on X.
Yellow Alert Issued, Peak Intensity on Friday
The IMD earlier issued a yellow alert for Thursday and Friday, forecasting multiple spells of light rain accompanied by gusty winds of up to 50 kmph. The sudden cooling is already evident across Delhi-NCR, with several areas recording light to moderate rainfall and a noticeable dip in temperatures.
Weather experts say the system is likely to peak on Friday, March 20, bringing thunderstorms, overcast skies, and further cooling. The maximum temperature, which stood at 33.6°C on Wednesday, two degrees above normal is expected to drop to 28–30°C on Thursday and further to 26–28°C by Friday.
https://x.com/allindiaweather/status/2034468754416165377?s=46
‘Sweater Weather’ Returns in March
The unusual timing of the system has led to comparisons with peak winter conditions.
“Get ready for January kind of rains on 19th and 20th March, Sweater weather alert! Moderate to heavy rains, thundershowers and sudden drop in temperatures to a range of 18-24°c maxtemp expected in #Delhi NCR #Chandigarh #Haryana #Punjab #Rajasthan & #UttarPradesh on 20th March. Heavy snowfall accumulation predicted for #Himalayas. Dont pack your jackets yet, might need it for a day or two,” a user called Weatherman Navdeep Dahiya said in a post on X.
https://x.com/navdeepdahiya55/status/2034144799524327580?s=46
Another advisory reinforced the intensity and rarity of the system, stating, “Get ready for January kind of rains on 19th and 20th March, Sweater weather alert! Moderate to heavy rains, thundershowers and sudden drop in temperatures to a range of 18-24°c maxtemp expected in #Delhi NCR #Chandigarh #Haryana #Punjab #Rajasthan & #UttarPradesh on 20th March. Heavy snowfall accumulation predicted for #Himalayas. Dont pack your jackets yet, might need it for a day or two :)”
With a yellow alert in place and more rain expected, residents have been advised to stay prepared for sudden weather changes. The ongoing spell of unseasonal rain has not only cooled the city significantly but also briefly brought back a winter-like feel. What started as an evening storm has now evolved into a widespread weather event, underlining the unusual nature of this western disturbance.
