Kathmandu, October 24

The Meteorological Forecasting Division has attributed the plummeting mercury in Kathmandu Valley to strong north-westerly wind blowing since last night. Kathmandu Valley recorded a minimum temperature of 11.4 degrees Celsius today against yesterday’s 15.5 degrees Celsius.

Meteorologist at the division Barun Paudel said, “Strong north-westerly wind scattered clouds in the sky. This triggered a sudden drop in temperature. Mercury will continue to plummet in the days ahead.”

He said the sun’s position and cloud cover were responsible for sudden rise or drop in temperature. “Clouds work as a blanket in the sky. They trap greenhouse gases and make the places underneath warm. The winter sets in when the distance between the earth and the sun grows,” Paudel further added.

MFD said there was no possibility of rain for the next few days in Kathmandu, but it would continue to grow cold in the evenings and mornings. The months of October and November are considered post-monsoon season.

Extreme cold starts in Nepal from December when the days become shorter and minimum temperature hits as low as zero degree Celsius.

Climatic conditions vary in Nepal from one place to another according to geographical features. In the north, the summers are cool and winters are severe; while in the south, summers are tropical and winters mild.