A series of complex weather patterns are shaping this region, says the India Meteorological Department (IMD) where a multi-state alert is released. Between January 29 and January 31, South India is forecast to receive unseasonal heavy rain and thunderstorms; around the same time a strong new Western Disturbance will bring to North India a "wintry fury" from January 31.
South India: Heavy Rain and Squally Winds
A cyclonic circulation and a trough in the easterlies are bringing large volumes of moisture to southern part of India.
- Affected Areas: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Mahe are in due course to receive heavy to moderate rains.
- Wind Warning: The wind which blows across the coast can take as much 30 to 40 kilometers per hour, with some of the gusts up to 50 kilometers per hour.
- Fishermen Advisory: The IMD has already made a specific warning to fishermen about venturing into the Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area, and along the south Tamil Nadu coast through January 31 due to squally conditions and high waves.
- Urban Consequences: Low part of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu with low ground is likely to be short wet spells (waterlogging) to the right with localized heavy floods.
North India: The Restlessness of Western Disturbance
As the South gets soaked, the North is bracing itself for a new rain and snow season. From January 30 nights on a new Western Disturbance shall occur in North India.
- The Snowfall Peak: The heavy snow will most commonly drop over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on February 1.
- The Plains: Between January 31 and February 2, light to moderate showers are expected to lash the plains that make up Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi NCR.
- Temperature & Fog: minimum temperatures forecast to drop by 2-3 °C following the precipitation events. Dense to very dense fog will keep on disrupting flights and trains in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in the early morning hours.
| Region | Primary Threat | Period |
| South (KA, TN, KL) | Heavy Rain & Thunderstorms | Jan 29 – Jan 31 |
| Himalayas (J&K, HP) | Heavy Snowfall & Avalanches | Jan 31 – Feb 1 |
| North Plains (Delhi, PB) | Dense Fog & Cold Wave | Ongoing – Feb 2 |
| Coastal Belts | Winds (30-40 kmph) | Jan 29 – Jan 31 |
Safety Recommendations
The IMD urges hilly residents, in order to not visit the ground and be transported through landslides and road blockages due to snow. Residents in the South are encouraged to stay indoors when lightning strikes and fasten loose outdoor structures to withstand heavy winds. Those traveling on highways in North India are advised to be particularly wary as isolated areas in Punjab and Haryana are anticipated to face “zero visibility” conditions.
