Several districts of Sudurpaschim, Karnali, Lumbini, and Gandaki provinces witnessed light to moderate rainfall on Friday, thanks to western disturbances that offered some respite to farmers preparing their fields for the next planting season.

The rainfall, which occurred on the last day of the winter season (December 1 to February 28), also helped reduce pollution levels.

The Meteorological Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that hilly and mountainous regions of other provinces—Bagmati and Koshi, including the Kathmandu Valley—also witnessed light rain and drizzles on Friday.

“Today’s rainfall is the highest we have seen this winter,” said Hari Prasad Dahal, a meteorologist at the division. “Rainfall with thunder will continue in many places in Sudurpaschim, Karnali, and the hilly areas of Lumbini and Gandaki provinces until Friday evening.”

Met officials say that moisture-laden westerly winds from the Mediterranean Sea, known as western disturbances, are responsible for the rainfall. These are low-pressure systems that form in the Mediterranean and move eastward, and affect the weather patterns of the Indian subcontinent, including Nepal.

According to the officials, Dadeldhura of Sudurpaschim province recorded 43.3 mm of rainfall, Dipayal 33.8 mm, Jumla of Karnali Province recorded 38 mm, Birendranagar 9.4 mm and Dhangadhi 3.7 mm.

Baitadi district in Sudurpaschim received 39 mm. The rain volume could increase further, as it has continued until the evening. Heavy snowfall has occurred in several mountainous areas, met officials say.

The rain is expected to bring some relief from rising air pollution in Kathmandu Valley. For the past several weeks, people in the Valley have been experiencing deteriorating air quality due to increasing pollution levels.

The country witnessed a prolonged drought this winter, as only 11 mm of rainfall—18.3 percent of total average rainfall of winter (60mm)—occurred until the final day of the season. Although Friday, February 28, is the last day of winter, rainfall measurements come only on Saturday, officials say.

Most of the districts that witnessed rainfall this winter were in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. The prolonged dry spell across the country led to a spike in forest fires, and worsened air pollution in many districts. According to the Ministry of Forest and Environment, at least 295 forest fires have been recorded since the start of 2025. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) data shows that 716 incidents of fire (including house fires and wildfires) have been recorded during this period, in which 26 people were killed, and 135 others sustained injuries affecting a total of 813 families. Property worth millions of rupees has been destroyed.

Met officials said that Friday’s rainfall will not make a big difference for winter crops but will help farmers of hilly areas waiting to plant maize.

The weather is expected to improve from Saturday.