The pre-monsoon rainfall is likely to continue for the next few days throughout the country, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

The weather forecasting division has said that disturbance in weather will continue from Saturday to Monday, as the pre-monsoon has been active recently.

The division has forecast partly cloudy weather with chances of thunder shower across the country until Tuesday.

“Weatherly disturbance will stay for the next few days with high chances of rainfall in eastern, central and western parts of the country. However, possibilities of thundershower are forecast throughout the country,” said Min Kumar Aryal, a meteorologist with the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

The recent change in weather will be significant in the eastern and central parts on Sunday whereas other parts will witness partly cloudy weather.

Chances of rainfall with thunderstorm have been forecast in some districts of eastern Nepal. High mountain areas will also witness light to moderate snowfall at some places on Sunday, according to the weather forecasting division.

Rainfall with storm is predicted in a few places of hilly districts as well as southern plains on Monday.

The weather dpeartment told the Post that the sudden change in the weather, leading to overcast conditions and rainfall, was because of the westerly winds that combined with the local temperature.

“When the westerly wind combines with rising temperature and forms cumulative cloud, it results in overcast conditions and brief rainfall with thunderstorm,” Aryal told the Post. “Such phenomenon is normal during the pre-monsoon phase.”

Pre-monsoon begins in March and stays till May. The three-month period is crucial for agriculture.

The country receives an average of 13-15 percent of its total annual rainfall, which is second to the monsoon period, which contributes 80 per cent of annual precipitation.

“The month of March has almost ended so it is normal for pre-monsoon precipitation to take place at this time. It’s not super active currently but the amount of rainfall will increase from early-April till mid-May,” said Aryal.

According to the weather forecasting division, winter rainfall this year was also recorded higher than previous years. Some of the meteorological stations, mainly in central and western parts, had recorded 400 percent more rainfall than the average winter rainfall between mid-January to February.

“Last winter was dry. Pre-monsoon has been also active which is beneficial to farmers,” said Aryal, adding, however, good pre-monsoon doesn’t mean less rainfall in monsoon. “The source of rainfall during pre-monsoon and monsoon season is completely different. So enough rainfall in pre-monsoon will not decrease monsoon rain.”