Uttarakhand's monsoon, which had slowed down over the past few days, is set to pick up pace again. The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Dehradun centre has issued a major weather update for the entire state for July 17, 2026, warning that several parts of Uttarakhand could see heavy to very heavy rain today. Monsoon activity had been relatively muted over the previous 24 hours, with only light to moderate showers recorded in a handful of places, but the weather is expected to change dramatically from today. Cloud cover is forecast to build up across both the hills and the plains, bringing thunder and spells of heavy rainfall.
According to the latest forecast, most parts of Uttarakhand are likely to receive heavy rainfall today. The weather is expected to turn particularly aggressive across all districts of the Kumaon division, as well as in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri and Haridwar in the Garhwal region. Most places in these areas are expected to see light to moderate rain along with thunder and showers. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain at isolated places across 10 major districts of the state for today, and has also declared an orange alert for these districts in view of the rising risk of lightning strikes. In addition, isolated spells of lightning accompanied by heavy downpours are expected across the state. Plains regions such as Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar cannot be ruled out from experiencing thunder and lightning either.
What do yellow and orange alerts actually mean
Weather alerts in India generally follow a four colour code. A green alert means there is no significant weather concern, a yellow alert means the situation needs to be watched closely, an orange alert means people should stay prepared for possible disruption, and a red alert is reserved for the most severe conditions that call for immediate action. With both a yellow alert for heavy rain and an orange alert for lightning in force across 10 districts today, residents and travellers in Uttarakhand are being urged to keep a close eye on official updates through the day and avoid stepping into the open during intense thunderstorms.
What the weather looks like in Dehradun and Mussoorie today
The capital, Dehradun, and the nearby hill town of Mussoorie are set to see a marked shift in weather today. The Dehradun weather centre says there is a strong likelihood of heavy rain at isolated spots in Dehradun district, along with the possibility of lightning and sudden bursts of heavy rain. On the previous day, Dehradun, Mussoorie and Chakrata recorded light rain at some places along with thunder, which has already pushed up moisture levels in the air. Tourists visiting Dehradun and Mussoorie today have been advised to stay away from rivers and streams, since water levels can rise suddenly during intense spells of rain, a common trigger for flash floods in hill towns during the monsoon.
Haridwar and Rishikesh set for rain after a spell of humidity
The pilgrim towns of Haridwar and Rishikesh saw people struggling with humid heat over the past 24 hours. Being in the plains, Haridwar recorded a maximum temperature well above normal. However, the IMD says Haridwar could get some relief in the form of rain today, July 17. Several places in the district are expected to see light to moderate rain showers accompanied by thunder. A lightning warning has also been issued for some sensitive areas, which should bring a slight dip in temperature and some relief from the humidity that has built up over the past day.
Heavy rain alert for Nainital, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh
Nature could show its fiercer side today in the scenic hill districts of Nainital, Bageshwar and the border district of Pithoragarh, all part of the Kumaon division. The IMD says all three districts could see heavy rain at isolated places. The alert is especially important for anyone travelling along hill slopes and sensitive stretches of road, where sudden downpours can quickly make conditions treacherous. Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar in Kumaon are also likely to see light to moderate rain with thunder and showers at most places. An intense spell of rain in parts of Bageshwar and Nainital could cause rivers and streams to swell, adding to the risk for anyone near low lying areas.
Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag urged to stay alert
Anyone travelling to Kedarnath, Badrinath or the Gangotri-Yamunotri route needs to pay close attention to today's weather update. The IMD has issued a heavy rain alert at isolated places for Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts. These mountain districts could see intense spells of rain along with incidents of lightning strikes. Heavy rain in the hills always carries the risk of landslides and blocked national highways, so travellers have been asked to check accurate weather information before continuing their journey rather than pushing ahead without an update.
How the temperature moved over the past 24 hours
Looking at the weather and temperature over the past 24 hours, the plains of Uttarakhand recorded a maximum temperature well above normal because of intense sunshine, while hill areas also saw daytime temperatures slightly above normal. The highest maximum temperature in the state was recorded at Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar at 35.1°C, making for fairly hot conditions there. On the other end, the lowest minimum temperature, as is usually the case, was recorded at Mukteshwar in Nainital at 15.6°C, where nights remained fairly cold. Wind speeds near Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun reached up to 39 kilometres per hour.
What the forecast says for the coming days
The weather department has issued a bulletin not just for today but for the entire coming week, making it clear that Uttarakhand is unlikely to get any relief from rain for now. On July 18, weather could turn particularly bad in Dehradun and Bageshwar districts, with heavy to very heavy rain expected at isolated places, along with an alert for extremely intense spells of rain and lightning. Rudraprayag, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Pithoragarh are also expected to see heavy rain that day. On July 19, the spell of heavy to very heavy rain is expected to continue in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital and Bageshwar districts, suggesting the wet spell now gripping the state will stretch on for several more days.
