The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, thunderstorms and snowfall in mountainous areas of the country over the next few days, with a drop in daytime temperatures expected in several regions.
According to the department’s National Weather Forecasting Centre, a weak westerly weather system entered the western and northwestern parts of the country on the evening of November 10. The system is expected to strengthen and remain active until the morning of November 14.
Rain and snowfall forecast by region
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to receive rain, windstorms and thunderstorms from the evening of November 10 to November 14.
The affected areas include Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Kaghan, Naran, Mansehrah, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.
Heavy rain and hailstorms are also possible at isolated locations, while higher mountainous areas may receive light snowfall.
Islamabad and Punjab
Light rain and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad and parts of Punjab on November 10, including Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar and Sargodha.
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The weather system is likely to bring more widespread rain and gusty winds to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galyat and several other districts between November 12 and 13.
These include Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab and Sargodha.
Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bhakkar and Multan may also experience gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms on November 12. Hailstorms are possible in a few areas.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir
Rain, windstorms and thunderstorms are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Kashmir from the afternoon of November 10 until November 14.
In Kashmir, the affected areas include Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh, Haveli, Jhelum Valley, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, the forecast covers Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar. Higher mountain areas in both regions are also likely to receive snowfall.
Balochistan and Sindh
Most districts of Balochistan are expected to remain dry. However, Ziarat, Barkhan, Musakhail, Quetta and Kalat may experience gusty winds on the night of November 11 and November 12.
Dry weather is expected to continue across most parts of Sindh during this period.
PMD issues precautionary advice
The weather department has advised farmers to plan their agricultural activities in view of the expected rain and changing weather conditions.
Light snowfall could temporarily affect movement through high-altitude mountain passes and areas near glaciers. Shallow fog may also develop over some plain areas after the weather system moves away.
The PMD has also forecast a drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in daytime temperatures.
Relevant authorities have been asked to take precautionary measures to deal with possible weather-related incidents.
