As the countdown to the launch of the North-East monsoon progresses, piloting rains are forecast to grow over the southern peninsular India during the next two days.

An India Meteorological Department (IMD) outlook suggested that the nuisance value of the weakened ‘low' over Myanmar and Bangladesh may have been eliminated for winds to settle into a pattern ideal for the North-East monsoon regime.

RAINS FORECAST

Rain or thundershowers are expected to break out at many places over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands and at one or two places over the remaining parts of the peninsular India.

The North-East monsoon is expected to set in over the south-eastern peninsular coast by Monday.

An extended outlook until Wednesday said that rain or thundershowers would occur at many places over extreme south peninsular India.

STORM BREWING?

Weather models, including the IMD, are predicting storm formation in the southwest Bay of Bengal shortly after.

Eastern Sri Lanka and southeast Tamil Nadu coast may take a direct hit.

Meanwhile on Friday afternoon, an upper air cyclonic circulation hung over south Tamil Nadu and neighbourhood.

Insat satellite imagery revealed convective clouds over parts of central and south east Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and South-East Arabian Sea.

RAIN, SNOW

Meanwhile over the northwest of the country, a western disturbance stayed parked over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir.

A weather warning valid for Saturday said that heavy rain or first major snow (3 cm and above) would occur at one or two places over Jammu and Kashmir.

Downstream to the east-southeast, an upper air cyclonic circulation was traced to over central Uttar Pradesh and neighbourhood.

A trough extends from this system to south Orissa.

CYCLONIC WHIRL

Rain or snow ahead of the winter season may occur at a few places over Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday and at many places thereafter.

Rain or snow has been forecast also over one or two places over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Rain or thundershowers is likely at a few places over east India on Saturday and at one or two places thereafter.