‘March outlook’: Met Office announces forecast

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has released its March 2026 outlook, forecasting near- to slightly below-normal rainfall alongside above-normal temperatures nationwide.

Northern regions—including Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Punjab, and western Balochistan—are likely to receive below-normal rainfall, indicating suppressed spring precipitation.

Near-normal rainfall is anticipated over southern Punjab, southern KP, northeastern Balochistan, and most of Sindh, though climatological norms for these areas remain low. The forecast, based on nine global prediction models, shows the strongest consensus for near-normal conditions over southern Sindh and southern Balochistan.

Mean temperatures will remain above normal across the country, with the highest departures expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and northwestern KP. Warmer-than-normal conditions are also likely in northeastern Sindh.

For agriculture, Rabi crops including wheat and barley face accelerated maturity due to rising temperatures, potentially compressing the harvest window. Meanwhile, drier conditions favour post-harvest drying and storage of rice, minimizing moisture-related losses.

In public health, major cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore should prepare for earlier pollen season onset in early March, which may trigger respiratory issues in children and elderly. Vector-borne disease risk remains low as conditions remain unfavourable for mosquito activity across Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026