More Rain And Snow Over Mountains, Fresh Western Disturbance Arrive Shortly

Western disturbance, marked as a trough/ cyclonic circulation is persisting over Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh region. Overcast sky conditions prevail over the entire region, including the tourist resorts of Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Plumes of clouds have spilt over to Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand, as well. However, the weather activity is largely expected to cover Jammu & Kashmir, partly for the state of Himachal Pradesh and least over Uttrakhand. Snowfall will remain confined to elevated areas with an altitude of more than 12,000 feet. Rain and thundershowers will lash the foothills and lower peaks like Srinagar, Patnitop, Gulmarg, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Manali and Shimla.

The weather system will have only a remnant effect tomorrow. Close on heels and nearly overlapping, another western disturbance will arrive late tomorrow. Weather activity will be on the increase, a day later on 13^th March. Though the intensity and spread will substantially increase, popular resorts like Srinagar, Manali, Dalhousie and Shimla may only witness rain and thundershowers. Snowline could still remain at or above 9000 feet. Chance of sleet, for a brief period, remains a possibility.

All the hilly states have received a fair amount of snow and rain in the month of March. The complete region has large excess, more so, for Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand. The ongoing spell and the next one, in waiting, will further increase these margins. As per the normals, all the hilly states rain more in March,  than Jan and Feb. Western disturbances become more frequent, albeit with curtailed duration.  Their track also shifts more to the north, as one proceeds towards April. 

The rainfall activity will spill over to the foothills and northern parts of Punjab, Haryana, North Rajasthan and West Uttar Pradesh on 13^th March. The weather stint will be short and sweet, just for one day, on 13^th March. The mountains will have the remnant effect on 14^th March but the plains will clear straightaway. Broad clearance for the entire region is expected on 15^th March. Plains may observe some dip in the temperature and nip in the air, post-passage of the western disturbance.