The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a spell of light rainfall for several regions of Gujarat around the New Year, offering respite from the prevailing above-normal temperatures. The showers are expected to affect Kutch, Saurashtra, and parts of North Gujarat over December 30, 31, and the morning of January 1.
Detailed Rainfall Forecast and Affected Districts
According to the IMD's regional forecast, light rain is predicted for Kutch specifically on December 30. The wet weather will then extend to more areas as the year ends. On December 31 and the morning of January 1, districts in the North Gujarat region such as Banaskantha and Patan, along with Saurashtra districts including Jamnagar, Morbi, and Dwarka, are expected to receive light rain. Kutch will also see continued showers during this period.
IMD Regional Director A K Das explained the meteorological reason behind this forecast. He stated that a Western Disturbance (WD), visible as a trough in the middle tropospheric westerlies, is influencing the weather pattern. This system is responsible for the anticipated rainfall on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Temperature Trends and Wind Influence
This forecast comes as a relief after days of elevated temperatures across Gujarat. Data from the IMD revealed that both maximum and minimum temperatures have been recording above-normal readings at various centers in the state. On Tuesday, December 30, maximum temperatures were 1-2 degrees Celsius above normal. However, the more significant deviation was observed in nighttime minimum temperatures, which were 0.5 to 4.6 degrees Celsius higher than usual.
Das attributed this unusual warmth to the prevailing wind patterns. "The northerly winds bring the temperature down while the south westerly and easterly winds, which are prevailing at present, result in higher temperatures," he said. The incoming rainfall is expected to disrupt this pattern temporarily.
Expected Temperature Fluctuations
The IMD anticipates that the rain will lead to a drop in temperature by about 2-3 degrees Celsius over the next two days. However, this relief may be short-lived. Weather officials predict that temperatures are likely to climb again by a similar margin of 2-3 degrees by the end of the week. "There will be a fall in the coming two days followed by a gradual rise in the temperature by 2-3 degrees," confirmed the IMD regional director.
To illustrate the recent warm spell, here are some maximum temperatures recorded on Tuesday across Gujarat:
- Surat: 30.7°C (no departure from normal)
- Vadodara: 30.6°C (1 degree above normal)
- Rajkot: 30.3°C (2 degrees above normal)
- Ahmedabad: 29.6°C (1.7 degrees above normal)
The minimum temperatures also showed significant anomalies:
- Naliya: 12.6°C (3.1 degrees above normal)
- Deesa: 13.6°C (3.3 degrees above normal)
- Ahmedabad: 14.8°C (2.6 degrees above normal)
- Bhuj: 15.7°C (4.6 degrees above normal)
Residents of the mentioned regions can thus expect a slightly wet and cooler start to the New Year, with a return to warmer conditions likely shortly after.
