A fresh spell of westerly winds is expected to enter Pakistan this weekend, bringing rain and snowfall to the upper regions, while dense fog and colder conditions continue to affect the plains, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned.
According to the department, the new weather system will begin influencing the country over the weekend. Deputy Director Meteorology Irfan Virk said the westerly spell will mainly impact western and upper parts of Pakistan, causing a shift in weather patterns. The system is expected to move further into western regions later this week.
The spell is likely to bring light rain and snowfall to parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Mountainous areas in these regions may experience snowfall, while light rain is expected in some western districts. Islamabad may see cloud cover, though no rainfall has been recorded so far.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa forecast
Weather in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to remain cold and partly cloudy. Rain is likely at a few locations in Chitral, Dir, Swat, and Kohistan, accompanied by light snowfall in higher elevations. Isolated rainfall is also expected in Battagram, Bajaur, Mohmand, and Kurram, with snowfall in mountainous areas.
Authorities have cautioned that fog intensity may increase in fog-prone areas. Dense fog is expected in Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Dera Ismail Khan, and nearby regions, particularly during night-time and early morning hours, leading to reduced visibility.
Punjab weather outlook
Most districts of Punjab will experience cold and partly cloudy conditions. Light rain is possible in Murree, Galiat, and surrounding areas, while fog and smog are expected to persist in Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhelum, and Sahiwal. Similar conditions are likely in Multan, Khanewal, Khanpur, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Rajanpur.
Sindh and Balochistan
Weather across most parts of Sindh will remain dry and cold, with fog expected in Sukkur, Rohri, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Larkana, and Mohenjodaro. Commuters have been advised to exercise caution during early morning travel.
In Balochistan, cold and partly cloudy weather is forecast for most districts, while northern areas will remain extremely cold. Light rain and snowfall are expected in Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Pishin, Quetta, and surrounding areas.
Karachi outlook
Karachi residents have been advised to remain alert as colder nights are expected. While daytime weather will stay dry, cooler conditions will prevail during the night and early morning. According to the PMD, temperatures are expected to range between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius, with humidity around 58% and northeasterly winds blowing at 9km/h. The minimum temperature has been recorded at 14.5 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists have also expressed concern over the lack of rainfall in rain-fed areas, warning that it could impact the wheat crop. Irfan Virk noted that December’s earlier westerly system brought little rainfall, with only light snowfall in upper regions.
“If rain does not occur in rain-fed areas, it may affect crops,” he said, adding that authorities are hopeful for two to three weather spells in January.
The Met Office has advised citizens to take precautionary measures, particularly while travelling, as temperatures are expected to drop further and fog conditions are likely to persist in the coming days.
