With an active westerly disturbance making its way to the east, the country, which has remained dry and warm so far this winter, is likely to witness some rainfall.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the disturbance, which entered the country’s western parts on Thursday, has made its presence felt throughout the country leading to overcast conditions and light drizzle in many parts.

“The weather is generally cloudy throughout the country. The disturbance which came from Sudurpaschim and Karnali Province reached Bagmati Province on Friday afternoon,” said Nirajan Sapkota, a senior meteorologist with the weather office. “The weather can be attributed to a westerly low-pressure system supported by moisture coming in from the southwest of India.”

Rainfall has been scarce in the country so far this winter. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had forecasted that the country would witness a hotter-than-usual and dry winter in its Winter Climate Outlook.

“This is only the second spell of rainfall in the country [this winter] after a brief spell of rain was recorded in the first week of January,” Indira Kadel, a senior meteorologist with the department, told the Post. “The prevailing weather system has already reached Province 1 and will contribute some rainfall across the country.”

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the country has so far received only 8.1 percent of the average annual winter rainfall so far, excluding the latest spell.

“Winter rainfall has been significantly low this year,” said Kandel.

On Friday morning, the weather office forecasted partly to generally cloudy weather throughout the country with the possibility of light to moderate rain at many places of Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces and at some places of Province 1 and Bagmati Province. The weather forecasting division also said light to moderate snowfall may occur at many places in the high mountain districts.

Several places in the high-mountains received snowfall on Friday. In Mugu, where farmers had been worried about their winter crops, snowfall from Thursday night has brought much-needed relief.

“Except in Province 1, the mountain region has experienced snowfall and the mid-hills have received drizzle,” said Sapkota. “While the disturbance will slowly spread across Province 1 and Province 2 on Saturday, the weather will start to clear from the western part of the country. But before that, there will be rain and snow.”

According to Sapkota, many places in the hills, including Kathmandu Valley, will receive rainfall Friday night and this will continue even on Saturday.

“Chances of rainfall in Kathmandu Valley are high until Saturday. Rainfall can also be expected in the evening on Saturday,” Sapkota told the Post early on Friday.

However, the rainfall will not be heavy in the hills. Isolated spells of rainfall could be recorded in the Tarai, said Sapkota.

According to the daily forecast, light rain is likely to occur at a few places of Province 1 and many places in the hilly areas of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Province.

The meteorological forecasting division’s three-day weather forecast said many places of Province 1 and few places of Province 2, Bagmati and Gandaki Province will see rainfall on Saturday afternoon.

By Saturday night, partly to generally cloudy conditions will persist in Province 1, Province 2 and Bagmati Province with light rainfall in one or two places and snowfall in few places of high hills and mountains of Province 1, Bagmati and Gandaki Province.

The weather will improve on Sunday, when except for overcast conditions in the hills, the rest of the country will get clear weather.

“We will not see heavy rainfall or persistent rainfall across the country. But this rainfall spell will surely come as a relief as we have had only one spell of rain this winter,” said Sapkota, the senior meteorologist. “Winter rainfall has been delayed, but will help watering winter crops and restoring snow in the mountains.”