Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh: Hailstorm Alert for 29-30 October

Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh can expect rain, hail and strong gusts on Thursday 29 October and Friday 30 October, according to a forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather office has forecast isolated hailstorms over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab on both days, with thunderstorm squalls of 50-60 kmph, and gusts up to 70 kmph in places. The cause is a western disturbance crossing north India while moisture from the weakening Cyclone Arnab system spreads north, as reported by The Week and Climate Fact Checks.

Hail and Gusts on Both Days

IMD said isolated to scattered rain is likely over Punjab from 28 to 31 October, and fairly widespread to widespread rain over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and eastern Uttar Pradesh on 29 and 30 October. Isolated hail is also forecast over east Rajasthan on 29 October.

Daytime temperatures will fall. For Delhi, IMD expects a maximum of 26-28°C on 29 October, which is 3.1 to 5 degrees below normal. Our Delhi-NCR alert has the city figures.

Also read Punjab, Haryana Rain on Oct 24-25 After 10-Day Dry Spell, Says IMD

Hills Get Rain and Snow on the Heights

For the hills, IMD has forecast thunderstorms with winds of 30-40 kmph over Uttarakhand and Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, and lightning over Himachal Pradesh. Climate Fact Checks, citing the IMD national bulletin, reported rain and thunderstorms over the Himalayan region with snowfall at higher elevations. Nepal has warned of heavy rain and snowstorms from Thursday to Saturday.

Skies Clear After Friday

For Delhi, the forecast shows a partly cloudy sky on 31 October with maximums of 28-30°C and no rain. IMD’s release did not give district-wise colour alerts for Punjab and Haryana. Daily outlooks are collected on our Weather Updates page.

Source: IMD forecast, as quoted in its press release and national bulletin; the direct IMD document page could not be opened by this desk. Also based on reporting by The Week, India.com and Climate Fact Checks.

Image: PTI (file photo).