Bengaluru Weather Turns Favourable for Rain; IMD Warns of Thunderstorms Tonight

Bengaluru is likely to witness isolated thunderstorm rains on Thursday evening as monsoon conditions continue building up across Karnataka, with weather observers predicting scattered showers in several south interior, coastal and Malnad districts after widespread rainfall was recorded across the State till Thursday morning.

Weather experts said atmospheric conditions over Karnataka are gradually becoming favourable for stronger pre-monsoon and early monsoon rainfall activity, especially across Bengaluru and adjoining districts.

Bengaluru Conditions Improve for Rainfall Activity

According to weather observers, Bengaluru currently has a mixed but increasingly favourable setup for rain development. Humidity levels remain elevated across the city, while daytime sunshine is expected to improve atmospheric instability needed for thunderstorm formation later in the evening.

Meteorologists monitoring the city's weather said the CAPE index - a major parameter linked to thunderstorm intensity - looked stronger on Thursday compared to recent days.

At lower atmospheric levels, winds continue flowing from the west at around 12-13 kmph, while a broad convergence zone remains active over Karnataka, interiors of Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala.

Because of these conditions, isolated light thunderstorm rains are likely in and around Bengaluru during evening and night hours.

Residents and weather enthusiasts from eastern parts of Bengaluru also reported increasing cloud activity and thunder build-up by afternoon, raising expectations of better rain coverage later in the day.

Monsoon Conditions Strengthen Across Karnataka

Weather observers said an upper air cyclonic circulation persisting over the southeast Arabian Sea continues to influence rainfall activity across Karnataka and neighbouring regions.

Another weather system over the east-central Bay of Bengal has shifted towards Myanmar, while convergence at the 700 hPa atmospheric level remains spread across the southern peninsula.

At the 800 hPa level, convergence is also visible along the Karnataka coast and adjoining ghat regions, supporting rainfall activity across coastal and interior districts.

Because of these conditions, scattered light to moderate thunderstorm rains ranging between 5 mm and 60 mm are likely across Bengaluru Urban, Hassan, Mysuru, Mandya, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagara, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Tumakuru, Kolar, Chitradurga and Ballari later on Thursday.

Isolated thunderstorm activity is also possible across remaining districts of Karnataka.

Proper Monsoon-Like Weather Expected From Next Week

Weather experts noted that Karnataka is slowly nearing the end of the pre-monsoon thunderstorm phase, with proper southwest monsoon conditions expected to strengthen from next week.

According to observers, westerly winds are likely to intensify across atmospheric levels by mid next week, bringing more widespread and consistent rainfall activity across the State.

Districts That Recorded Rainfall Till Thursday Morning

According to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) rainfall data till 6.30 am on Thursday, several districts recorded notable rainfall.

Kolthige in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district recorded the highest rainfall at 66.5 mm, while Yagapur in Kalaburagi district received 60.5 mm rainfall.

Other major rainfall recordings included Belekeri in Uttara Kannada with 39.5 mm rainfall, Kannangala in Kodagu with 34.5 mm, Nadpalu in Udupi with 34 mm and Chandakapur in Bidar with 33 mm rainfall.

Rainfall was also recorded in districts including Mandya, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Gadag, Bagalkote, Raichur, Vijayapura and Koppala.