A strong westerly wind system is set to enter Pakistan from today, triggering widespread rain, snowfall, dense fog and extremely cold conditions across multiple regions, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
The Met Department said the westerly wind system will initially affect Balochistan from December 29 to 31. Rain and snowfall on mountainous areas are expected in several parts of the province during this period.
Rain is likely in Quetta, Ziarat, Kalat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Nushki, Harnai, Zhob, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Musakhel, Kech, Gwadar, Lasbela, Awaran, Chagai, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk, and Kharan.
Snowfall is expected in the northern districts of the province.
System to engulf upper, central regions
The weather system is forecast to spread to the upper and central parts of the country on December 31. Rain and snowfall are expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining plain areas from December 30 to January 1.
Light to moderate rain, along with snowfall in hilly regions, may also affect Punjab and Islamabad from December 30 to January 2, including Murree and the Galiyat region.
Authorities warned that traffic in upper areas may be affected due to snowfall. There is also a risk of avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, prompting advisories to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather.
GB intense cold and snowfall
In Gilgit, temperatures have dropped 4 to 5 degrees below freezing. The Met Department has forecast snowfall, rain and strong winds from tonight through tomorrow.
A weather advisory has been issued for December 30 to January 2, with the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority urging residents to exercise caution in dangerous weather conditions.
Cold winds in Karachi
In Karachi, cold winds have intensified the chill as the city awaits its first winter rain, likely tomorrow. The minimum temperature today is expected to remain around 12°C.
The current temperature stands at 15°C, humidity is 70%, winds are blowing at 6km/hour, and the weather is partly cloudy, the Meteorological Department said.
Cloudy, cool conditions in Lahore
Cool and cold weather continues in Lahore, where skies are expected to remain cloudy today. Westerly winds entering the city may also bring light rain.
The weather is forecast to remain extremely cold and dry in most parts of Pakistan today. Dense fog is expected to persist in the plains of Punjab and Upper Sindh.
The lowest temperature recorded yesterday was -9°C in Leh. Temperatures in Skardu dropped to -6°C, Gopis to -5°C, Gilgit to -4°C, while Kalat, Dir, and Astore recorded -3°C.
Temperatures in major cities were recorded as: Islamabad 4°C, Lahore 7°C, Karachi 12°C, Peshawar 3°C, and Quetta -2°C
NDMA, PDMA advisories
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather advisory for the next two to three days. According to the advisory, a westerly wind system will enter the country tonight, bringing rain to most regions and snowfall to mountainous areas. The intensity of rain and snowfall is expected to increase further on December 30.
Under the influence of this system, rain is likely to continue in the upper and central parts of the country on December 31, with its effects possibly lasting until the morning of January 2.
Due to heavy snowfall, there is a risk of road closures in mountainous areas, including Naran, Kaghan, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Murree, Galiyat, Skardu, Hunza, and surrounding regions.
The NDMA has warned that the risk of landslides and avalanches may rise in mountainous regions of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. However, rain is expected to help reduce fog in central and southern Punjab and upper Sindh.
The authority has advised the public, tourists, and travelers to avoid unnecessary travel and take appropriate precautionary measures.
PDMA Punjab alert
According to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Met Department has forecast rain and snowfall in most districts of Punjab.
Thunderstorms and snowfall are likely in hilly areas of Punjab from December 30 to January 2. Rain and snowfall are expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, and the Pothohar region.
Light rain is forecast for Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, and Hafizabad from December 31 to January 1. There is also a chance of rain in Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh.
PDMA Punjab DG Irfan Ali Kathia said that the smog situation is likely to improve after the rains.
