Onset of monsoon over Mumbai likely by this weekend

MUMBAI/PUNE: After a prolonged delay, the onset of the south-west monsoon over the city is expected by the weekend. Weathermen said scattered rain in Mumbai was only “convective activity”.
While the normal date for the onset is June 10, it has been delayed this year. Last week, due to Cyclone Vayu in the Arabian Sea, the city received significant showers. But with the weakening of the system, conditions are now becoming favourable for further advance of the south-west monsoon into more parts of the country. In the city, rainfall recorded since June 1 by IMD Colaba observatory was 101mm, while at Santa Cruz, it was 140mm. The rain departure in case of Colaba and Santa Cruz was -126.9 and -60.9 respectively.
“While surface winds are favourable (southwesterly), the wind pattern needs support till mid-level, which is currently lagging. Conditions are becoming favourable for the further onset of monsoons in 4-5 days,” said Shubhangi Bhute, scientist, IMD Mumbai. On when the onset was expected over Mumbai, she said it may take 2-3 days to reach southern parts of Konkan, and thereafter to Mumbai around June 20-21.
Rainfall was reported from many parts of the city on Monday, but the showers were short-lived. “Lower level winds are incurring the moisture, hence we are witnessing convective activity, but it has to sustain the monsoon pattern, which is lagging. We are waiting for sufficient moisture in the atmosphere,” she added. Convection in the atmosphere is the way air floats up on account of being warmer than surrounding air.
Maximum temperatures in the city continued to remain on the higher side on Monday hovering around 34 degrees Celsius.
Private forecasting agency Skymet on Monday said a spell of rain is likely over coastal parts of Maharashtra between June 23-26. Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is also likely. IMD (Pune) said the monsoon is expected to reach Maharashtra in four to five days, with chances of heavy rainfall at isolated places in Konkan and Goa on Wednesday. Anupam Kashyapi, head of weather, IMD (Pune) said the monsoon was set to enter parts of south Konkan and south Maharashtra by June 20-21, and may cover the entire state by June 24-25. said its entry into Mumbai will be known in few days.
(With inputs from Neha Madaan)