Satellite images reveal dramatic weather change over India within days

Two satellite images show a dramatic shift in India's weather, with a Western Disturbance spreading across northern India as the southwest monsoon retreats from the country.

India's monsoon season is approaching its final curtain call, with satellite images showing how a Western Disturbance sweept across northern India on Friday and Saturday, while rain-bearing clouds associated with the southwest monsoon began to disappear.

The two satellite images captured by India's INSAT-3DS satellite on September 23 and September 27 show the changing cloud patterns across the Indian subcontinent and the gradual transition towards the post-monsoon season.

WESTERN DISTURBANCE CHANGES CLOUD PATTERNS

The September 23 image shows widespread cloud cover stretching across northern and northeastern India, while the September 27 image reveals a marked change in the distribution of clouds, with much of northwestern and central India appearing relatively clear.

A Western Disturbance is an eastward-moving weather system originating in the Mediterranean region. It can bring cloudiness, rain and thunderstorms to parts of northern India, particularly when it interacts with moisture from other weather systems.

The interaction of the Western Disturbance with a depression over central India has helped trigger rain across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi-NCR, even as the monsoon withdrawal continues.

WHEN WILL THE MONSOON DISAPPEAR?

The southwest monsoon has already begun withdrawing from parts of northwest India, with the process progressing towards central and eastern regions.

Rainfall activity is expected to ease in several parts of the country towards the end of September, with September 29 emerging as a potential turning point for the transition to drier weather.

However, the complete withdrawal of the monsoon from India is not determined by a fixed date.

The India Meteorological Department considers rainfall cessation, declining atmospheric moisture and changes in wind circulation before declaring further withdrawal.

Even after the monsoon withdraws, local weather systems can continue to trigger rainfall, particularly over southern and eastern India.

The satellite images reveal the seasonal transition, as India moves from its four-month monsoon season towards the cooler months ahead.