RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Met Office has said that the frequent rain spells are likely to prolong the present spring season in the country, with falling snow in the northern parts in March 2020.

Above the normal rainfall is likely to increase overflow in the western rivers and different nullas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Snowfall accumulation is expected to continue across the northern area during March 2020.

Air pollution and fuel combustion induced smog intensity is likely to scale back during March in upper Sindh and central parts of Punjab. The north-south varying temperature may trigger dust-raising winds in the central and southern parts. Pollen count is likely to enhance in Islamabad during the mid of March.

Above normal rainfall is expected in the most parts of the country, whereas upper parts will have a significant above normal falls. Four to five westerly waves are likely to reach the country during March, which may unleash a scattered light to moderate occasionally heavy rainfall in places of western, central and upper parts.

Third and fourth weeks are expected to be wetter than the first fortnight. Wind and hailstorm may take place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, North Balochistan and Kashmir. Snowfall is also likely to occur over the high mountains in Gilgit-Baltistan during the month. Below normal maximum temperature is expected in the western, central and eastern parts of the country, while above normal in south-eastern Sindh, coastal regions and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Nearly above normal rainfall is predicted for the most parts of Punjab with an isolated rain-thunderstorm during 4th week of March, besides hailstorms and gusty winds in plains areas. Above normal rainfall is expected in the most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the westerly weather system frequency may remain more than normal during this month. The westerly associated weather systems may cause cold after mid of the month, decreasing a daily average temperature after weather system.

In Balochistan, an above isolated normal rainfall is expected with hail-thunderstorm in northern parts of the province. Daytime temperature may remain near to a below normal. Sindh may witness an above normal rainfall. Temperature is likely to remain near normal in upper Sindh, while above normal in the lower parts. Dust-raising winds are likely to prevail due to the north-south temperature gradients.

Slightly normal rainfall with an isolated to moderate snowfall is expected over Gilgit-Baltistan, while normal to above normal rainfall in Kashmir and surrounding areas.