PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, April 25: The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Meteorological Centre at Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, has forecast thundershowers, lightning and hail across Jharkhand starting April 25, bringing a likely change from the ongoing hot and dry conditions.
Heatwave Conditions Prevail Across State
At present, Jharkhand is witnessing above-normal temperatures in several regions. Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6°C on Friday, 2.6°C above normal, while Jamshedpur registered 41.1°C.
Daltonganj emerged as the hottest among key observatories at 43.6°C, followed by Bokaro at 43.5°C and Chaibasa at 42.4°C. Minimum temperatures also remained high, with Jamshedpur recording 27.2°C.
No rainfall was recorded across the state in the past 24 hours, reflecting prevailing dry weather conditions. Daltonganj reported the highest maximum temperature, while Gumla recorded the lowest minimum at 19.7°C. Visibility in Jamshedpur stood at 1500 metres.
Automated Weather Station data showed Bokaro at 41.5°C, Deoghar at 40.9°C, and Koderma at 40.3°C, highlighting widespread heat across districts.
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Weather System to Trigger Change
Meteorological analysis indicates a trough extending from east Uttar Pradesh to south Bangladesh, passing through Bihar, Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal at around 0.9 km above mean sea level. This system is expected to influence upcoming weather conditions in the state.
Thunderstorms, Hail and Gusty Winds Forecast
The IMD has predicted a significant change from April 25, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph likely at isolated places over north-eastern, southern and central Jharkhand.
On April 26, conditions may intensify, with hailstorms accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and stronger winds of 50–60 kmph expected at isolated locations over north-eastern and adjoining central regions. Other parts of the state may experience thunderstorms with winds of 40–50 kmph.
Similar conditions are likely on April 27 and April 28, with repeated chances of thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching up to 60 kmph in parts of the north-east and central belt, and slightly lower wind speeds in other areas.
By April 29, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are expected at isolated places across Jharkhand.
Overall, while dry heat has dominated recent weather, the approaching system is set to bring instability, increasing the chances of thunderstorms, strong winds and occasional hail. This may provide some relief from high temperatures but could also lead to localised weather disturbances.