Widespread rain is expected in Pakistan from January 20 onward. Snowfall is also likely over the hilly areas during the wet spell.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a westerly wave prevails over the northwestern parts of Pakistan. It will strengthen on January 20 and grip most parts of the country on January 21.
Forecast:
Under these conditions, widespread rain is expected in Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, Galyat, Islamabad, Potohar region, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions from January 20 to January 23 with occasional gaps.
Rain is also expected in Peshawar, Hazara, Malakand, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan divisions during the period. Heavy snowfall is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, and Rawalakot during the period.
Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Balochistan (Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Musakhel, Turbat, Gawadar, Jiwani, Lasbella, Kech, Awaran, Chaghi, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk and Kharan) on January 21 and January 22, and Sindh (Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Naushero Feroz, Kashmore, Larkana, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas and Ghotki) on January and January 23 with occasional gaps.
Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, and Zhob during the period.
Impacts:
Heavy snowfall may cause road closures/slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai and Zhob from January 21 to January 23.
There is a possibility of landslides/avalanches in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the period. Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.
Fog will likely diminish in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh during the wet spell. Daytime temperatures are likely to drop significantly during the period.
Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Weather: Wet spell to begin tomorrow
