Pan-India Weather Forecast: Rain to Lash Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan as March Ends, Temperatures to Drop
Key Takeaways:
- March to end with widespread rain across multiple regions of India
- Strong Western Disturbance to trigger rain and snowfall between March 29–31
- Rainfall to expand into Central, Western, and Southern India by March 30
- Temperatures to drop, easing earlier warm and heatwave-like conditions
March is set to conclude with a notable increase in rain and thunderstorm activity across several parts of India, particularly during the latter half of the month.
From March 1 to 25, the country has recorded an overall rainfall surplus of around 10%. However, the distribution has remained uneven. East and Northeast India have witnessed a significant excess of nearly 88%, followed by the South Peninsula with a surplus of about 18%. In contrast, Central India continues to face a rainfall deficit of nearly 10%, while Northwest India has recorded a substantial shortfall of approximately 32%.
Rainfall activity has largely been concentrated after mid-March. Until around March 12, most parts of Northwest and Central India remained dry and unusually warm, raising concerns about an early onset of heatwave conditions. This trend changed with the arrival of successive Western Disturbances and associated weather systems.
Over the next couple of days, until March 28, scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected over the Western Himalayan region, including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, along with parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and East and Northeast India.
A stronger Western Disturbance is likely to impact the Western Himalayas between March 29 and 31, bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms along with snowfall in higher reaches. In addition, an induced cyclonic circulation over Central Pakistan and adjoining Northwest India will intensify weather activity across the northern plains.
As a result, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and West Uttar Pradesh are expected to witness enhanced rain and thunderstorm activity during this period.
By around March 30, rainfall is likely to expand further into Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Scattered rain and thunderstorms are also expected across Telangana, West Bengal, and parts of East India, while Northeast India may continue to receive fairly widespread rainfall.
Across the South Peninsula, weather activity will see a gradual uptick. Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala are expected to receive scattered rain and thunderstorms. However, Tamil Nadu will largely remain dry, with only isolated light rainfall in a few pockets.
Overall, the increased weather activity towards the end of March is expected to bring a gradual drop in temperatures across many regions, offering relief from the earlier warm conditions.
