Punjab, Chandigarh weather today: Check latest updates on orange alert, hail and thunderstorms

Punjab and Chandigarh are likely to witness unsettled weather on Thursday, October 15, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and possible hailstorms. An orange alert has been issued for Thursday, followed by a yellow alert on Friday, as an active western disturbance over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu is expected to trigger rain across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Conditions are forecast to improve thereafter, with dry weather expected to return.

Despite the weather warning issued earlier, Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula remained dry on Wednesday, with bright sunshine throughout the day. The anticipated spell of rain and hail could pose a challenge for farmers, as harvested paddy is lying in the open at grain markets and some farmers are still harvesting their rice crop. The IMD has warned that rain and hail could damage harvested produce as well as standing crops, while also affecting transport and municipal services.

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Punjab weather today: Rain likely across many places

The western disturbance is expected to bring light to moderate rainfall to many parts of Punjab on Thursday and Friday. Isolated places in the state could also experience hailstorms, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds.

The IMD has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts reaching 60 kmph, at isolated places in Punjab. Hailstorm activity is also very likely at isolated locations.

Rainfall activity is expected to become more limited on Saturday, when isolated places in Punjab may receive showers. The broader state forecast indicates dry conditions from Saturday onwards.

Chandigarh weather today: Orange alert for thunderstorms, hail

Chandigarh is under an orange alert for Thursday, with the possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, strong gusty winds and hail at isolated places. Light to moderate rainfall is likely in many parts of the Union Territory and neighbouring Haryana.

The IMD has forecast gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, reaching up to 60 kmph, at isolated places across Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi. Isolated hailstorms are also very likely.

A yellow alert is in place for Friday as the weather system continues to affect the region. The Tricity outlook points to mainly clear conditions after the rain activity subsides.

Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula temperatures

Day temperatures across the Tricity continued to recover on Wednesday after falling sharply following Sunday's showers.

Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 32.9°C, an increase of 0.1°C from Tuesday and 1.2°C above normal. Mohali registered a maximum of 32.4°C, down 0.3°C from the previous day, while Panchkula recorded 30.8°C, up 0.1°C.

Night temperatures also remained above normal. Chandigarh's minimum temperature was 19.6°C, rising 0.6°C from the previous night and standing 1.7°C above normal. Mohali recorded a minimum of 21.1°C, an increase of 1.1°C.

Panchkula remained the coolest among the three cities, with a minimum of 18.5°C despite a rise of 0.4°C from the previous night. It was also the lowest minimum temperature reported in Haryana.

The Chandigarh weather observatory recorded maximum relative humidity of 94% and minimum relative humidity of 47%. No rainfall was recorded in Chandigarh during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday or between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. Punjab and Haryana also remained dry during the preceding 24 hours.

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Chandigarh Tricity weather forecast for the next five days

The five-day forecast indicates maximum temperatures of 32°C on Thursday, 31°C on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 32°C on Monday. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain between 19°C and 21°C.

While rain and thunderstorms are expected to affect the region over the next two days, conditions are forecast to become mainly clear thereafter.