Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Monsoon Makes Final Stand Over North India Before Southward Shift
The monsoon is the rainy season in India.
It is still very strong over northern, central, and eastern parts of the country.
Satellite pictures show many thick clouds and lots of moisture.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue for about another week.
The India Meteorological Department has issued weather alerts through September 8.
Some southern coastal areas will instead remain hot and humid.
Later in September, the rainy weather is expected to move south.
Northern and northwestern India may become much drier around September 20.
Satellite observations show the monsoon remains highly active over North India despite the seasonal transition period.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected across northern, central, and eastern India through around mid-September.
The India Meteorological Department issued severe-weather alerts through September 8 for several states, including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
Thunderstorms and lightning are forecast in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu through tomorrow.
Forecast models indicate the rain-bearing circulation will shift toward South India, with drier conditions expected across North and Northwest India around September 20.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department and weather forecasters are tracking the monsoon.
- What
- The monsoon is expected to bring continued heavy rain and thunderstorms before its circulation shifts southward.
- When
- Severe-weather alerts extend through September 8; unsettled weather may continue until around mid-September, with a broader shift expected around September 20.
- Where
- Northern, central, and eastern India are expected to receive rain, while the monsoon circulation is forecast to move toward South India.
- Why
- Seasonal atmospheric changes are expected to reorganize the monsoon system and reduce rainfall in North and Northwest India.
- Alerts
- The India Meteorological Department issued severe-weather alerts through September 8.
- Rainfall areas
- Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and isolated parts of Northeast India are expected to receive widespread rainfall.
- Thunderstorm risk
- Thunderstorms and lightning are forecast across Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu through tomorrow.
- Additional severe weather
- Violent weather may continue in Puducherry, Karaikal, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands over the next two days.
- Southern conditions
- Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Mahe are expected to remain hot and humid through tomorrow.
- Expected transition
- The rain-bearing circulation is projected to shift toward South India during the second half of September.
- Drier period
- North and Northwest India may see a sharp reduction in precipitation around September 20.