DEHRADUN: With Uttarakhand experiencing temperature a few notches above normal and people are gearing up for an early summer, weathermen have predicted another spell of rain and snow between March 8 and 12, which is likely to bring winter chill back, though for some times.
After March 12, although there will be no rain or snow, the prevailing cold condition can play a spoilsport and dampen the Holi spirit on March 13, with mercury likely to fall five notches below normal.
According to the meteorological department, two western disturbances in succession will be affecting Uttarakhand’s weather for five days starting from Wednesday, causing rain across the state and snow at isolated places.
Meteorological centre director Bikram Singh said, “Garhwal region is going to be affected mostly for the first two days — Wednesday and Thursday — with light to moderate rain and snow, whereas moderate rain and snow will lash Kumaon region between March 10 and 12.”
Light to moderate rainfall/snowfall is likely to occur at places such as Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts, with snowfall likely at places situated above 3,000 metres or above, while heavy rain/snow is expected to lash isolated places in Kumaon region on March 10 and 11.
The Met department has, meanwhile, warned of hailstorm at places such as Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Pauri, Nainital, Almora, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar districts starting Thursday morning and likely to continue for the next 72 hours.
Notably, with the counting of votes for the assembly elections taking place on March 11, showers across the state will pose difficulty to officials on the duty.
Rain, snow and hailstorm will also lead to a dip in the mercury. “The maximum temperature will drop four to six notches below normal, bringing winter chill back for sometimes. The cold condition will prevail during Holi as well,” said Bikram Singh.