Kathmandu, January 1

Denizens of Kathmandu Valley witnessed freezing cold weather today and yesterday.

According to Meteorological Forecasting Division, the western disturbance started affecting the weather of Kathmandu Valley from yesterday resulting in cloudy weather. Meteorologist at the Division Shanti Kandel said that from yesterday onwards, the westerly wind-based system has been affecting Nepal’s weather triggering extreme cold in Kathmandu, among other areas.

“Though rainfall was not recorded anywhere, the westerly system-produced clouds have covered the

Valley sky and that has increased the cold in Valley.” She told The Himalayan Times, “Eastern and central regions are likely to be affected by the westerly system tomorrow.”

She said due to less moisture and weak structure of the westerly system there won’t be rainfall. It is said that the westerly system is likely to continuously enter Nepal for the next few days. Though severe cold was felt due to disturbance in weather, the minimum temperature of Kathmandu was recorded at 6.3 Degree Celsius today.

MFD said though the temperature appeared to be extremely cold because the sky was covered with clouds and the sun could not be seen in the day time, minimum temperature remained higher than on sunny days.

MFD has predicted that fog in central and western Tarai will continue for some days. It has also predicted partly cloudy weather in the eastern and central hilly regions and mostly fair weather in the rest of the country for tomorrow. It is said the cold will increase as minimum temperature falls as is the nature of winter cold

According to Consensus Statement on the Forecast Outlook for the Winter Season (December 2017 – February 2018) precipitation and temperatures over South Asia will be below normal. Precipitation is likely during winter season over some areas of northeastern part of south Asia, including Nepal.

Above normal precipitation is likely over some southeastern parts of the

region. Normal precipitation is likely over the remaining parts of the region. During the season, normal to slightly above normal temperatures are likely over most parts of the region.