Downpours to soak Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, Chennai

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

January 25,2017, 9:12:29AM,EST

 

 

A powerful winter storm will bring rain, thunderstorms and snow to northern India on Thursday.
Anyone attending the Republic Day parade in New Delhi will need to be prepared for rainfall along with the threat of lightning.

Temperatures will range from 14-17 C (58-65 F) throughout the parade with occasional gusty winds.
The threat of rain and thunderstorms will continue on Friday and will be accompanied by cooler air. The high temperature on Friday will reach only 19 C (66 F), and plenty of clouds and a gusty breeze will make it feel even colder.
This same storm system will bring rainfall to much of northwestern India with snow falling in parts of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The snow could result in road closures.
“Heavy rain along the base of the Himalayan Mountains will threaten flooding across extreme northwestern India, including areas from southern Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab and southern Uttarakhand,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.

Indian school children perform a dance to show India's cultural heritage during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/ Manish Swarup)
Aside from any flooding, the rainfall will be largely beneficial and also help to alleviate the poor air quality across the region.
“The benefit to air quality may be brief as fog will return by the weekend in New Delhi,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Adam Douty.
In the south, a surge of tropical moisture will bring enhanced rainfall to the east coast with showers spreading into the interior.
Related:
India Weather Center
Detailed New Delhi Forecast
Detailed Chennai Forecast
The Republic Day parade in Chennai will be dampened by rainfall which will last through Friday.
The heaviest rain is expected to remain south of Chennai. Localized flooding is possible in Puducherry, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam into this weekend.
Showers will spread inland and could reach Bengaluru by Thursday afternoon. However, most Republic Day festivities will be rain-free. Additional showers are possible on Friday and Saturday.
Dry weather will prevail for Republic Day events in Mumbia and Kolkata.