Ahmedabad has already received 5.5 mm more pre-monsoon rain than its usual pattern so far.
The first spells of pre-monsoon thunderstorms that generally begin in the state by June 15 have advanced to June 3 this year. And the premonsoon rains are a good sign, notes the state’s weather office as they may increase the heat which in turn may fetch good rain as well as result in advancing the onset of monsoon in the state. Generally, after the first spell on June 15-16, the monsoon keeps the weather office on tenterhooks because it sometimes does the disappearing act! With the recent synoptic features, however, Met department officials have predicted early onset of monsoon in the state. The forecasted date for monsoon for Gujarat has remained June 15 for long. However, the actual onset of monsoon has happened only during June 24 to 29 for the last five years. June 26 was the date of onset for Gujarat in 2005, in 2006 it was June 29, in 2007 June 24. In 2008 the date was June 26, in 2009 it broke on June 24 and in 2010 the onset date was June 16. “This year if the strong system that fetches good rains continues which at present prevails over the state, the monsoon onset is likely to get advanced,” said Dr.Kamaljit Ray, director, India Meteorological Department, Ahmedabad. In accordance with the latest synoptic situation, IMD forecasts squally weather on the south Guajrat coast. There is upper air cyclonic circulation over east central Arabian Sea adjoining south Gujarat coast which extends up to mid-tropospheric level. With this, off shore trough extending from south Gujarat coast to Kerala persists. With this, IMD has predicted light to moderate rain over north, south Gujarat as well as in Saurashtra, while heat wave conditions which prevailed over Kutch and some parts of north Gujarat region on Monday, are forecasted for next 24 hours. IMD forecast for Ahmedabad which touched a maximum temperature of 42.5 on Monday which was 4 degree C above normal, notes chances of development of thunderclouds towards evening. The 14.6 mm rainfall so far in the city is 5.5 mm more than usual. However, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Sabarkantha, Bhavnagar, Baroda and Panchmahal districts have got scanty rain in this period, while Porbander and Junagadh have got excess rains against their normal pattern. From June 3 to 6, rainfall occurred at many places over south Gujarat region, isolated rainfall occurred over north Gujarat region and Saurashtra.
