DELHI: A fresh Western Disturbance is on its way to the Himalayan region of India, expected to arrive on Monday. This system is anticipated to bring clouds and isolated rainfall to mountain areas while prompting a rise in temperatures across the northern plains, signaling an early departure of winter chill.

Devendra Tripathi, founder of Mausam Tak and a notable weather vlogger, noted that clouds will start forming in the mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Ladakh on Monday. He also mentioned that western Himachal Pradesh could experience cloud cover in regions like Mandi and Chamba, although popular areas such as Kullu, Manali, Shimla, and Uttarakhand are likely to remain clear for the time being.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that while the mountains will be cloud-covered, the plains are expected to remain dry. However, they predict that isolated rainfall or even snowfall is likely in the western Himalayan region between February 17 to 19. This weather phenomenon is expected to invoke a significant transformation in wind patterns across the northern plains.

According to Tripathi, the wind direction will shift southward toward regions like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This will lead to a noticeable reduction in cold air across states from Punjab to Bihar and even in Gujarat and Maharashtra. As temperatures currently hover between seven and 12 degrees Celsius in north India, Skymet has reported a similar warming trend.

On the weather front for Monday, Delhi is forecasted to see maximum temperatures between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius. Tripathi cautioned that even though morning chills might persist in Punjab and Delhi, daytime temperatures are set to inflate due to the sun’s intensity.