Weather Karachi — the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast rain and thunderstorms in Karachi and other parts of Sindh from March 18 to 19. In an advisory issued today, PMD said a westerly wave was likely to enter the western parts of the country from Tuesday.
Under its influence, the metropolis will have partly cloudy weather with the chance of thunderstorm and rain on March 18 and 19.
The Karachi weather rain alert comes as the same westerly wave is forecast to grip most parts of Pakistan — with Quetta weather, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir all set to receive significant rainfall during the same period.
Background: What Is a Westerly Wave
The change in weather is linked to a westerly wave — a naturally occurring seasonal weather system that often brings rain, wind, and cooler temperatures. According to the Met Office, the weather system will move into the western parts of the country on the evening or night of March 17, gradually spreading across most regions by March 18 before weakening by March 20.
March rainfall is relatively rare in Karachi. On average, there are zero rainy days in Karachi during March — making this forecast an unusual weather event for the city.
Details: District-Wise Weather Karachi and Sindh Forecast
Karachi Division
Karachi will have partly cloudy weather with the chance of thunderstorm and rain on March 18 and 19. PMD warned that lightning strikes may occur at isolated places during the period.
Lower and Central Sindh
Rain and thunderstorms with strong winds and isolated hailstorms are likely in Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Umerkot, Tharparker, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Nosheroferoz, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Dadu on Wednesday and Thursday.
Upper Sindh
Larkana, Qamber Shahdad Kot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Ghotki, and Sukkur districts are set to receive heavy rainfall on March 18 and 19 with occasional gaps.
Quetta Weather and Balochistan
Rain-wind and thunderstorm with few heavy falls and isolated hailstorm is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chaghi, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Khuzdar, Kech, Gawadar, Panjgur, and Awaran from March 17 to 20 with occasional gaps.
Punjab and Islamabad
Rain-wind and thunderstorm with isolated hailstorm is expected in Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara, and Kasur from March 17 to 20.
Rain-wind and thunderstorms are also expected in Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan on March 18 and 19.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Rain-wind and thunderstorm with few heavy falls and snowfall over the hills is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Bunner, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan from March 17 evening to March 20.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir
In Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rain and snowfall are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur.
Quotes
The PMD weather alert stated: “Partly cloudy to cloudy weather is expected in the upper parts of the country, while rain, wind, and thunderstorms are likely in Balochistan and adjoining areas during Eid days.”
The Met Office also advised farmers to take necessary precautions and manage their crops in accordance with the prevailing weather conditions to mitigate any potential damage from strong winds or hail.
Impact: Warnings and Precautionary Measures
The Sindh Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), in a separate advisory, directed concerned authorities to take all necessary mitigation measures.
The Met Office warned that people living in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir should remain cautious due to the risk of landslides on slopes and mountain roads. Residents are also advised to stay indoors during periods of heavy rain. Lightning may occur at isolated places during thundery spells.
The Karachi weather rain forecast carries particular significance this year as it coincides with the Eid holidays — with millions of families expected to be travelling across the country during the period of the weather system.
Conclusion
Weather Karachi is set for a rare March wet spell as the PMD’s westerly wave advisory puts Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad, and much of Pakistan on alert from March 17 to 20. Residents across Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are advised to take precautions, stay indoors during thunderstorms, and monitor updates from the Pakistan Meteorological Department as the system develops.
FAQs
What type of weather is it in Karachi?
Karachi has a hot semi-arid climate with very hot summers, mild winters, and extremely limited annual rainfall. The average temperature in Karachi in March is between 23°C and 32°C, and on average there are zero rainy days during the month — making the current PMD forecast for Karachi weather rain on March 18 and 19 an unusual and significant weather event for the city.
How to predict rain is coming?
Meteorologists predict rain using atmospheric data including pressure systems, humidity levels, temperature gradients, and satellite imagery. In Pakistan’s case, the PMD tracks westerly waves — seasonal low-pressure systems that move in from the west — as the primary trigger for winter and early spring rainfall. The current system was identified as a westerly wave expected to enter western Pakistan on the evening of March 17 and grip most of the country by March 18 before weakening by March 20. Falling barometric pressure, increasing cloud cover, and shifting wind direction are also reliable natural indicators that rain is approaching.
Is 30% rain heavy rain?
A 30 percent chance of rain does not mean heavy rain — it means there is a 30 percent probability that measurable rainfall will occur at a given location during the forecast period. It is considered a low to moderate chance of rain. Heavy rain is typically defined as rainfall exceeding 7.6mm per hour or 50mm over 24 hours. The current PMD advisory for Karachi weather uses the term thunderstorm and rain — while upper Sindh districts such as Larkana, Jacobabad, and Sukkur are specifically forecast to receive heavy rainfall with occasional gaps on March 18 and 19.
