Pakistan’s Meteorological Department has predicted that the Ramadan moon is expected to be sighted on March 1, with the first day of fasting expected to be on March 2.
According to the department, the moon will be born on February 28 at 5:45 PM, officially marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan.
The sighting of the new moon on March 1 is expected to confirm the start of the holy month.
Meanwhile, global reports suggest that countries like the UAE and other Gulf nations may see the moon on February 28, leading to the commencement of Ramadan in those regions on March 1.
In Pakistan, the first day of fasting will depend on the visibility of the moon in different areas, with expectations pointing to March 2 as the likely first day of Ramadan.
The announcement has brought much anticipation among millions of Muslims across the country as they prepare for the sacred month.
Last week, reports indicated that Karachi is likely to experience a rise in temperatures during the last ten days of Ramadan.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz stated that the heat intensity is expected to increase from March 20 onwards.
However, he added that the weather during the early days of Ramadan would be relatively mild. “Days will be comparatively hot, but nights will be more comfortable due to sea breezes,” he said.
Regarding current weather conditions, the PMD predicts a slight increase in the cold wave over the next two days, with nighttime temperatures expected to drop to around 10-12°C on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Monday, the temperature was recorded at 13.5°C, with winds blowing at a speed of 7 kilometers per hour from the north and humidity levels at 32%.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours suggests that most parts of the country will experience cold and dry conditions.
However, certain areas, including Kashmir, northeast Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, may witness rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, with snowfall expected over the higher mountains.
Additionally, patches of light to moderate fog are likely to appear in parts of northeastern Punjab during the morning hours.
The PMD also mentioned that continental air is currently dominant across much of the country. A westerly wave is expected to reach the western and upper regions later tonight.
