Rain in North, snow in Kashmir. Delhi to get as cold as 15°C on Thursday

The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) weather forecast points to a spell of unsettled weather across parts of north India on Thursday, November 12, with rain and snowfall likely in the western Himalayas.The weather agency has also flagged an emerging system over the Bay of Bengal that could develop into a depression over the weekend, bringing yet another spell of rain to parts of southern India. People amid rain in Shimla. (Photo: PTI) RAIN AND SNOWFALL LIKELY IN THE MOUNTAINSJammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and adjoining areas are expected to see fairly widespread to widespread rainfall or snowfall on November 12 and 13.Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely in the region on Thursday, along with the possibility of hailstorms, thunderstorms and lightning. Himachal Pradesh is likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall, with thunderstorms and lightning at some places. Uttarakhand could also see isolated to scattered rain between November 12 and 14. A child plays with snow in Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: PTI) The weather system is expected to extend its influence to the plains, with isolated rainfall likely over Punjab on November 12 and 13. These conditions are linked to a western disturbance currently affecting the region.Such systems are weather disturbances that originate around the Mediterranean region and travel eastwards, often bringing rain and snowfall to northwestern India during the winter months. A satellite image shows the weather systems over the Indian subcontinent. (Photo: IMD) BAY SYSTEM TO STRENGTHEN INTO DEPRESSIONThe most significant developing weather system is over the south Andaman Sea.The IMD said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 13, and is expected to move northwestwards, strengthen into a well-marked low-pressure area around November 14 and become a depression around November 15.This system could influence rainfall across the southern peninsula in the coming days.On Thursday, isolated to scattered rain is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, as well as Kerala and Mahe. Lakshadweep may also receive rain. A satellite image shows the weather system forecast to form in the Bay on November 16. (Photo: Windy) The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to see fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy spells.The developing system is particularly important as it could bring another spell of rain to parts of the southern peninsula during the ongoing northeast monsoon season.Unlike the southwest monsoon, which brings most of India's annual rainfall between June and September, the northeast monsoon is an important source of rain for Tamil Nadu and parts of southeastern India, especially from October to December.For Delhi, IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies on November 12, with mist or shallow fog likely at most places during the morning. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 27-29°C, while the minimum may range from 15-17°C.- Ends