Weather Update, Feb 27: While most of the country endured an uncharacteristically early plunge into summer-like dry conditions this February, rains continued sprinkling over the northeastern states throughout the month.
And as the month ends, met teams have predicted similar wet conditions to prevail over the next few days as well.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a western disturbance is likely to pass its rainy baton onto another system on Tuesday (February 28), and the combination of the two will drench pockets of Northeast India till the weekend. As a result, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh could see light amounts of isolated to scattered rainfall or snowfall over the next five days.
Initial forecasts indicate most Arunachal districts will see rain this week and start petering out from Tuesday onwards. Much of the rainfall during this time will remain concentrated in the western areas of the state. Therefore, if you reside near Tawang, make sure you keep an umbrella handy.
The same is true for Sikkim, with rains likely to concede from most districts only after Thursday (March 2). IMD forecasts a few thundershowers spells over Gangtok till Friday (March 3).
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While most of southern West Bengal should remain dry, IMD predicts generally cloudy skies with some light drizzles over northern districts like Darjeeling from Monday to Tuesday and some fog in the morning on Wednesday (March 1).
During this time, nighttime temperatures in the area will hang at a frigid 7°C and climb only a single digit to 8°C for the next two to four days. Daytime temperatures will remain at a pleasant 15-17°C till the end of the week.
So far this month, Arunachal Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim have recorded average to slightly above-average rainfall. Between February 1 and 26, Arunachal accumulated 82 mm of showers, 6% higher than its usual 78 mm.
Meanwhile, the combined subdivision of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim only recorded 25 mm, mainly similar to its average during this time.
