Steep rise in temperature expected by April's end: Met

The Met Office has forecast a steep rise in daytime temperature by April end across plains of the country, as hailstorms may have a negative impact on crops.

In a monthly weather outlook for April 2020, it said that snow melting is likely to delay from a normal pace because of a low daytime temperature, which is expected to shoot by April end. Crops may receive a hit from hailstorm in plains of the country during the month.

The outlook suggests that the changing temperature may unleash windstorm in central and southern parts of the country due to varying north-south temperature.

Western, central and upper parts of the country are likely to witness from a normal to below normal maximum temperatures. However, above normal temperatures are predicted in Sindh, south Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

About three to four western weather systems are likely to reach the country's atmospheres during April, which may cause a light to moderate rain-thunderstorms at a number of places in central and upper parts. A light rain is also expected in southern parts during the period.

Over the second half period April is forecast to be wetter than first one. Hailstorms coupled with windy spells are also likely to hit central and upper parts. However, a normal rainfall is expected in the most parts of the country during the month.

"The global SST forecast shows mainly neutral ENSO conditions during the forecast season. A slightly positive Indian Ocean Dipole is forecasted by Global Climate Models. However, the MJO is likely to become active over western Indian Ocean phase during 2nd and 3rd week of April," according to the outlook.