KATHMANDU, MAY 19 Hot weather conditions are likely to persist across several Tarai districts today, while moderate rainfall and thunderstorms have been forecast for the hilly and mountainous regions of the country. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the weather will remain generally cloudy over the hilly and Himalayan regions, including Koshi Province. Madhesh Province and the Tarai areas of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces are expected to remain partly cloudy, while the remaining Tarai regions will witness mainly fair weather. The Department has forecast moderate rain and snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning at a few places in the hilly and Himalayan regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, and at isolated places in other hilly and mountainous areas. Light rain and thunderstorms are also likely at one or two places in the Tarai districts of Madhesh as well as Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. Tonight, generally cloudy conditions are likely over Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, while the remaining Tarai region is expected to remain mainly fair. The Department stated that the country is currently under the influence of westerly and local winds. Among major cities, Dhangadi is expected to record temperatures between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius, while Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa may witness temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius. Kathmandu Valley is likely to witness moderate rain with thundershowers today, with temperatures ranging between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius.