Western Disturbance:
A strong Western Disturbance triggered heavy rainfall and storms across Delhi, North and South India, causing floods, hail, and airport disruption.
- Recent studies show climate change is altering the frequency, intensity, and seasonality of Western Disturbances, impacting India’s weather unpredictably.
- Western Disturbances (WDs) are eastward-moving extra-tropical cyclones that bring rain and snow to northern India, particularly in winter.
- They originate over the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Black Seas, picking up moisture before reaching the Indian subcontinent.
- WDs form due to interactions between polar and tropical air masses and travel along the subtropical westerly jet stream over the Himalayas.
- These systems are embedded in high-altitude winds and often accompanied by low-pressure areas.
