Bengaluru Weather Update: A Sudden Shift to Rainy Conditions
Bengaluru residents woke up to a sunny day on Wednesday, April 16, with maximum temperatures reaching 34.3°C during the day. The day featured clear skies with moderate humidity recorded at 41%, and gentle winds reaching a speed of 16.9 km/h. However, the ideal outdoor conditions were short-lived as a fresh spell of rain accompanied by thunderstorms lashed different parts of the city around 4 PM.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Bengaluru city observatory recorded 2.8 mm of rain and HAL airport 3.1 mm until 11:30 PM. The Automated Weather Station (AWS) for Bengaluru Urban recorded 4 mm of rainfall during the same period. This marked a significant change after five days of dry weather, as residents welcomed the rain, calling it a much-needed relief from the heat.
The IMD's weekly forecast indicates a warming trend with daily high temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius. The weather forecast for Bengaluru on April 17, 18, and 19 predicts cloudy skies with light showers. On April 20 and 21, residents may wake up to a partly cloudy sky with minimum temperatures reaching 21 degrees Celsius, particularly during the nighttime.
In a subdivision-wise report, the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) warned of thunderstorms, lightning, and gale-force winds with gusts reaching 30-40 km/h across the state for the next five days. The report noted that scattered moderate rainfall is expected in the North Interior and South Interior districts. Residents are advised to stay vigilant as there is a warning for thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls on April 17 in Coastal Karnataka, North Interior Karnataka, and South Interior Karnataka. The IMD has also issued alerts against thunderstorms and squalls in North Interior Karnataka on April 19 and similar conditions in South Interior Karnataka on April 18.
As the weather continues to shift, residents can expect cloudy skies along with scattered showers and moderate rainfall in the upcoming days. On April 17, the city is expected to witness cloudy skies and scattered rainfall, with minimum and maximum temperatures around 23 and 32 degrees Celsius. On April 18, widespread rainfall is predicted, with temperatures ranging from 23 degrees Celsius to 33 degrees Celsius. April 19 will see cloudy skies and pleasant weather with similar temperature ranges.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for 15 districts in Karnataka due to the risk of thunderstorms, lightning, and moderate rainfall. These districts include Shimoga, Davangere, Chitradurga, Chikmagalur, Bellary, Tumkur, Mandya, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Ramnagar, Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, and Kolar. The IMD warns of gusty winds ranging from 30 to 50 km/h, lightning, and scattered light to moderate rainfall across the state. Residents, especially in the affected districts, are advised to stay indoors during storm activity and be cautious in the late afternoon and evening hours when weather disturbances are expected to intensify.
Vijay, a well-known weather blogger who runs the X (formerly Twitter) handle Namma Karnataka Weather, pointed out that wind convergence typical of the May season has arrived nearly two weeks early this year, leading to intermittent spells of rain rather than continuous showers. He also mentioned chances of isolated rain in Bengaluru and surrounding areas on the evening of April 16.
The changing weather is attributed to multiple weather systems, including cyclonic circulations over southwest Rajasthan, East Madhya Pradesh, and east Assam, along with troughs extending across several regions, which are expected to bring rain and instability. As per the IMD forecast, Bengaluru is likely to see partly cloudy skies with light rain or thundershowers over the next few days, accompanied by winds reaching 30-40 km/h. From April 16 to 19, Bengaluru residents can expect partly cloudy skies through the day, with light rain or thunderstorms likely during the evening or night. The showers may be accompanied by gusty winds, so it's best to keep those umbrellas handy if you're stepping out late.
The weather in Bengaluru has become a topic of conversation among residents, many of whom took to social media to share their experiences and visuals of the rain. Some areas experienced brief traffic snarls due to the sudden downpour, but overall, the showers brought a noticeable drop in temperatures by evening. As the city braces for more rain in the coming days, residents are reminded to stay updated with weather forecasts and take necessary precautions.
As Bengaluru continues to experience fluctuations in weather patterns, the IMD's alerts and forecasts will be crucial for residents to navigate the changing conditions safely. With the possibility of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, staying informed is key to ensuring safety and preparedness in the face of nature's unpredictability.
