Monsoon 2018 forecast: Skymet predicts normal rainfall, relief for farmers

In last three seasons, actual rainfall was below Skymet's April forecast in 2015 and 2016, while it got forecast correct in 2017

Private weather forecasting agency Skymet on Wednesday predicted the southwest monsoon would be normal this year. 

The projection came a day ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy, which is widely expected to hold interest rates. But the forecast of a normal monsoon, which might propel farm growth and lower food inflation, will stoke expectations of a rate cut. 

Skymet said the monsoon this year could be 100 per cent of the long period average (LPA) with a model error of plus and minus 5 per cent. A normal monsoon is in the range of 96-104 per cent