Weather today: Rain, hailstorms and cold grip North, Central India; South stays mild

New Delhi: India’s weather continues to display sharp regional contrasts as the country moves through the final stretch of winter. A western disturbance and associated cyclonic circulation have triggered rain, thunderstorms, and hail across parts of North and Central India, while southern and coastal regions remain largely dry and warm.

In Central India, parts of Madhya Pradesh experienced sudden rain and hailstorms on Tuesday evening, adding to concerns for farmers and residents.

Districts such as Sehore, Agar Malwa, Shajapur, Gwalior, and Ujjain reported abrupt weather changes, with heavy rainfall recorded in pockets including Sehore, Ashta, Jawer, Mehatwada and Shyampur. Bhopal also witnessed thunderstorms accompanied by rain during evening hours.

In some rural areas, hailstones fell briefly but intensely, flattening standing wheat and gram crops that are currently at a sensitive stage of growth.

Strong winds and hail raised fears of grain shedding and potential yield loss, particularly in regions where wheat is in bloom. Power supply disruptions were also reported in a few localities due to storm activity.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued warnings for several districts of Madhya Pradesh, noting that active cyclonic circulation over Haryana and an associated trough line would influence weather conditions over Central India for the next couple of days.

Cloudy skies and light to moderate rainfall are expected to persist, with colder conditions likely to intensify due to fresh precipitation.

Across North India, Delhi-NCR began the day on a cold note, with temperatures hovering between 9°C and 11°C in the morning. Daytime highs are expected to remain below normal at around 20°C. Overcast skies and scattered rain showers during the afternoon may offer temporary relief from air pollution levels.

Uttar Pradesh is likely to remain cloudy through the day, with a chance of light rain in some areas. Morning temperatures are cool, ranging between 12°C and 20°C, accompanied by high humidity.

Rajasthan continues to experience unsettled conditions, with thunderstorms, gusty winds, and the possibility of hail in isolated pockets, keeping daytime temperatures subdued.

In the western Himalayan region, Jammu and Kashmir remains under the grip of intense winter conditions. Temperatures continue to stay well below freezing, especially at night, with forecasts indicating prolonged cold, dense fog in lower areas, and persistent chilly winds.

Meanwhile, western and southern India are seeing relatively stable weather. Mumbai is experiencing pleasant conditions with clear skies, moderate humidity, and temperatures ranging from 21°C to 28°C, aided by gentle coastal breezes. Ahmedabad enjoys dry weather with clear skies and daytime temperatures around 25°C.

In the south, Chennai remains hot and humid at around 30°C, with intermittent cloud cover but no significant rainfall expected. Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka have seen partly overcast skies, soft winds, and daytime temperatures averaging around 29°C.

Meteorologists say these late-season fluctuations highlight India’s climatic diversity in January, with weather systems continuing to influence northern and central regions even as winter gradually weakens elsewhere.