The Met Office has predicted a weather system that will bring rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall to different parts of Pakistan. A shallow westerly wave is expected to enter the northern areas on March 9 (evening/night). It will strengthen from March 12 and continue until March 16.
Expected Weather Conditions
Northern Areas (March 9-16)
Rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall over the hills are expected in:
- Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Bunner
- Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai
- Murree, Galliyat
- Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar)
- Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur)
The rain will continue with occasional gaps.
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Islamabad and KP (March 10)
Rain, wind, and thunderstorms are expected in:
- Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Haripur
- Kurram, Bannu, Waziristan
- Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi
- Karak, Hangu, Kohat, Khyber
Punjab and KP (March 12-16)
Moderate rain with a few heavy falls is expected in:
- Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal
- Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin
- Sargodha, Khushab, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal
- Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Jhang, T.T. Singh
- Mianwali, D.I. Khan
This weather system will continue till the morning of March 16.
Balochistan, South Punjab, and Sindh (March 14-15)
Rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall over the hills are expected in:
- Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah
- Chagi, Noushki, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob, Sherani
- Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Adu
- Rahim Yar Khan, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana
- Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara
Possible Impacts and Safety Advice
Road Closures and Slippery Conditions
Moderate to heavy rain and snowfall may cause road closures and slippery conditions in:
- Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat
- Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla
- Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli
This is expected on March 10 and from March 12-15.
Landslides and Avalanches
There is a possibility of landslides and avalanches in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir during this period.
Hailstorms
Hailstorms are expected at isolated places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, Islamabad, and Kashmir.
Tourists and travelers visiting mountainous areas should be cautious and avoid unnecessary travel from March 13-16. Farmers should manage their activities according to the weather forecast.
The Met Office advises all residents to stay updated on the weather and take necessary precautions.
