Weather update: Rain, snow across Nepal through Saturday

Most parts of Nepal are currently experiencing cloudy to rainy conditions as the effects of Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal begin spreading toward the eastern region. The weather is also being influenced by a western disturbance and a low‑pressure system over the Arabian Sea, noted the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

The three-day forecast bulletin, released Thursday at 8 AM, predicts rain across eastern and central Nepal and snowfall in the high hills and mountains through Saturday. 

Currently, light to moderate rain is being reported in Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati provinces, a few areas of Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali, and one or two places in Sudurpashchim. Here’s what the weather forecast looks like:

Thursday night (October 30)

Overcast skies are expected across most hilly regions, and mostly cloudy conditions in the plains. Moderate rain is likely across Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces and in several areas of Gandaki and Lumbini, with heavy rain possible in isolated spots of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Lumbini. Moderate to heavy snowfall is forecast in high-altitude areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki.

Friday (October 31)

Cloudy skies will persist across Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini, as well as the hilly belt, with generally cloudy conditions in the Terai. Moderate rain is likely in most parts of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati, and in many hilly and mountainous areas of Gandaki and Lumbini, while light rain may occur in parts of Karnali and isolated hilly areas of Sudurpashchim. 

Moderate snowfall is expected in the high hills and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki, and in a few areas of Karnali. Heavy snowfall could occur in one or two high mountain areas of Koshi and Bagmati, alongside heavy rain in some areas of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati.

Cloudy conditions will continue into the night across the hills of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati, with mostly cloudy skies in Gandaki and Lumbini and generally cloudy weather in the Terai. Moderate rain is likely in many areas of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati, and in a few parts of Gandaki and Lumbini, with light rain possible in isolated hilly regions. 

Moderate snowfall is expected in many high hills and mountainous areas of Koshi and Bagmati, in some parts of Gandaki and Karnali, and in a few isolated spots elsewhere. Heavy snowfall remains possible in one or two high mountain regions of Koshi and Bagmati, with heavy rain in some areas of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati.

Saturday (November 1)

Generally cloudy conditions will prevail across Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini during the day, with partly cloudy skies elsewhere. Moderate rain is possible in some parts of Koshi and a few hilly areas of Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki, while light snowfall is likely in some high-altitude areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki.

By night, Koshi and other hilly areas will remain generally cloudy and other regions partly cloudy, with chances of light rain or snow in a few areas of Koshi and in one or two high hilly or mountainous areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki.

Experts suggest halting travel plans for the time, especially in the hills and mountains.