Dry Weather to Persist Over Northern Plains Including Delhi–NCR
Key Takeaways:
- Dry weather has persisted across the northern plains since February 1.
- The February 9 Western Disturbance will have minimal rainfall impact on plains.
- Very light, isolated rain may occur around February 17–18 in limited areas.
- Mild temperatures and stable conditions will dominate Delhi–NCR and North India this week.
Dry weather conditions have prevailed across the northern plains for the past one week. The last notable weather activity was observed on February 1, when isolated light rain occurred over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Since then, conditions have remained consistently dry, accompanied by a gradual rise in temperatures, giving North India a distinctly milder winter feel. It can now be said that the peak winter phase is effectively over for the region.
Although a Western Disturbance is approaching the Western Himalayan region on February 9, its impact on the northern plains will be negligible in terms of rainfall. However, due to the weakening of surface winds, maximum temperatures may rise slightly, while minimum temperatures may also increase marginally, leading to less cold nights.
Another Western Disturbance is expected around February 16, which may cause cloudy skies over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. There is a possibility of isolated light rain over pockets of Punjab, West Uttar Pradesh, and North Haryana on February 17 and 18. This rainfall is expected to remain very limited and insignificant, with no meaningful agricultural impact.
At present, the fertile plains of North India require scattered, gentle rainfall rather than heavy precipitation. Most winter crops are in the maturing stage, and heavy rain accompanied by strong winds or hailstorms could cause serious damage instead of providing benefit.
This vulnerability was evident during the two intense Western Disturbances in January (January 23 and 27), which triggered hailstorms and strong winds, leading to widespread damage across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and West Madhya Pradesh.
In summary, no significant weather activity is expected over northern India during the coming week. Dry conditions, mild temperatures, and stable weather patterns are likely to dominate the region, including Delhi–NCR, in the days ahead.
