IMD Weather Update: Heavy Rain Forecast Across 10 States In Next 72 Hours

The weather is shifting rapidly across India, with many states experiencing unseasonably warm conditions for February, reminiscent of early March. Temperatures are steadily climbing, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of incoming rainfall across several regions.

A new western disturbance has begun affecting the western Himalayan regions and highlands, bringing light to moderate rainfall and snowfall on February 17 and 18, 2026. Light rain and thundershowers are also occurring over the plains of north-west India, signalling a brief but notable shift in the country’s weather pattern.

Dense fog is likely in parts of Odisha during the morning hours on February 18. Rain warnings have been issued for several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Tamil Nadu.

In Uttar Pradesh, the western ridge is affecting mainly the western districts. Light rain or drizzle is being reported in Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Baghpat, Shamli, Ghaziabad, and Noida today, February 18, while no heavy rain warnings have been issued for the state.

In Uttarakhand, rain is occurring in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Almora, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar, with higher-altitude areas likely to experience rain and snowfall today and tomorrow, February 18-19. Snowfall is already affecting the hill regions.

Delhi-NCR recorded warmer afternoon on February 17, with temperatures rising by 2-3°C. However, conditions are expected to change over the next 24 hours, with light rain and winds gusting up to 40 km/h.

In Himachal Pradesh, rain is being reported in Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Sirmaur, Solan, Una, Hamirpur, and Kullu on February 18, with snowfall likely in higher areas through February 18-19.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu, Kulgam, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Anantnag received rain on February 17, while parts of Ladakh are also expected to see changing weather today.

Rajasthan is forecast to have cloudy weather with scattered rain this afternoon. Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, Bikaner, and Churu are expected to see light rain and strong winds today, February 18. Thunderstorms are predicted in Madhya Pradesh on February 18-19, with Seoni, Katni, Chhindwara, Balaghat, and Hoshangabad districts receiving rainfall, although conditions were normal on February 17.

No rainfall is currently expected in Bihar; however, moderate fog and mild cold may persist in the Mithila and Seemanchal regions. Overall, despite rising temperatures this February, the western disturbance is causing notable weather changes across several states. The Meteorological Department has advised the public to remain vigilant and follow the latest updates.