Brace for rain and thunderstorms as weather shift likely in city from March 19

Indore: The city is set to witness a change in weather conditions from March 19, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds across Indore and adjoining areas. The development comes after the city experienced above-normal temperature since the beginning of March.A gradual dip in temperature has already begun. Over the past 24 hours, the night temperature dropped by more than two degrees, settling at 16.8 degrees Celsius, which is one degree below normal. The day temperature also dropped on Monday to 34.9 degrees Celsius, a degree below normal and marginally lower than the previous day. This has widened the gap between day and night temperatures significantly.Weather experts indicate that both maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to decline further over the next few days. Winds remained westerly, with speeds reaching up to 38 km per hour, in the city The change in weather is attributed to multiple active systems, including a western disturbance and several upper air cyclonic circulations influencing north and central India. Their combined effect is leading to cloud formation and increasing atmospheric instability over Madhya Pradesh.Divya Surendra of Bhopal Met centre said that light clouding has already been observed over parts of the region, including areas near Chhattisgarh border. Rainfall activity is expected to begin from Wednesday in districts such as Neemuch, Mandsaur and south-eastern districts of MP, gradually extending to other parts of the state.On March 19 and 20, many regions, including all districts of Indore and Ujjain divisions, are likely to experience thunderstorms with wind speeds of 30 to 40 km per hour. There is also a possibility of isolated hailstorms in parts of northern and south-eastern Madhya Pradesh, for which a yellow alert has been issued.The maximum temperature is expected to fall by two to four degrees over the next four days, offering temporary relief from the heat. However, temperature is likely to rise again after March 20 as the system moves eastward.