ISLAMABAD – Significant rains and gusty winds with heavy snowfall over the hills are predicted in western and upper parts of Pakistan during first week of January 2025.
As per the Pakistan Meteorological department (PMD), a frontal weather system will likely enter western parts of Pakistan on January 01, 2025 (evening/night). It will likely persist in upper parts till January 06, 2025.
Under the influence of this weather system, rains and gusty winds with heavy snowfall are predicted in the country during the first week of January.
Gilgit-Baltistan/Kashmir: Rain-wind/thunderstorms with heavy snowfall are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from January 01 (night) to January 06, 2025 with occasional gaps.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rain-wind/thunderstorms with heavy snowfall over hills are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Bunner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak and Kohat from January 01 to January 05, 2025 with occasional gaps.
Punjab/Islamabad: Rain-wind/thunderstorms with heavy snowfall are expected in Murree and Galliyat from January 01 (night) to January 06, 2025 with occasional gaps.
Rain-wind/thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, Pothohar region, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jahng and Toba Tek Singh from January 02 (evening/night) to January 06 (morning) with occasional gaps.
Light rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Taunsa, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara and Bahawalnagar from January 02 (night) to January 05, 2025 with occasional gaps.
Balochistan: Rain-wind/thunderstorms with snowfall over hills are expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagi, Noushki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob and Musakhel with occasional gaps from January 01 to January 04, 2025.
Sindh: Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the province. However, light rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Dadu, Qamber Shehdad Kot, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur and Jacobabad on 03rd & 04th January, 2025.
Possible Impacts and advises:
Heavy Snowfall may cause road closure/slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah and Qilla Saifullah from January 02 to January 06, 2025.
There are possibilities of the landslides/avalanche in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree and Galliyat during the period.
Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling during the period. Rain may be beneficial for the standing crops in Barani areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Cold wave conditions will likely grip most parts of the country followed by the wet spell. Dense foggy conditions may develop in plains of the country after the wet spell.
