April-May period: Heatwave likely to batter Sindh, Punjab

Heat wave spell is expected to batter cities of Sindh and Punjab but below normal temperature is likely in higher elevations of the country during April-May period, the Met Office has forecast.

In a weather outlook for April-June 2020, it said that temperature is expected to stay below normal in areas of high altitudes, which may also slow down snowmelt process in Northern Areas. Resultantly, the slowdown melting of snow is likely to scale back chances of an increased overflow in Upper Indus basin.

It said that varying north-south temperature may cause dust raising winds in central and southern parts, therefore, farmers should remain alert about irrigating cotton crops. It asked farmers to follow weather forecasts.

Normal rainfall, it said, is expected all over the country with slightly above normal over central and southern parts and slightly below normal over northern and north-western regions of the country during April-June 2020. Frequent westerly weather systems are likely to penetrate in central and upper parts of the country during the season, it added.

The Met said that normal to slightly above normal rainfall is predicted for central and southern parts. However, it forecast below normal rainfall for upper parts of the country. Extreme windstorms and hailstorms may strike central and upper parts during April and May especially, it said.

Daytime temperature, it predicted as below normal for western and upper parts of the country, while above normal for lower half of the country especially in eastern and coastal regions. Varied north to south temperature may cause sandstorm in central and southern parts of the country, according to the Met the average maximum temperature may remain above normal in the country over the period. The expected rise in temperature during April and May is between 2 degrees Celsius and 3 degrees Celsius in lower parts of the country, the forecaster said.