December to Bring Two Rain Spells: PMD

APP

Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast two rain spells in December, which are expected to improve air quality by reducing smog and easing travel disruptions caused by fog.

Imran Siddiqui, a senior meteorologist at the PMD, stated that while November has been largely dry in recent years, December is likely to experience two separate spells of rain. Although the intensity of the rainfall is not yet confirmed, Siddiqui emphasized that the rains are expected to significantly alleviate the current smog levels.

The weather in the coming days is expected to remain cold and dry across most parts of the country, with especially cold conditions in the northern regions. The PMD has also warned of fog patches forming in the plains of Punjab and upper Sindh during the morning and night hours.

In the past 24 hours, scattered rain, wind, and thunderstorms were reported in parts of Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeastern Balochistan, Punjab, and upper Sindh, along with snowfall in Kalam. Other regions experienced cold and partly cloudy conditions.

Rainfall data recorded includes 21mm in Mir Khani, 17mm in Kalam, 7mm in Dir, and 3mm each in Chitral and Pattan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; 6mm in Joharabad and 1mm each in Multan Airport, Murree, Sargodha, and Bhakkar, Punjab; 2mm in Barkhan, Balochistan; and 1mm in Jacobabad, Sindh. Snowfall in Kalam reached 7 inches.

The coldest minimum temperatures recorded were -08°C in Leh, -03°C in Gupis and Hunza, -02°C in Skardu, and -01°C in Kalam.

The anticipated rainfall in December is expected to provide much-needed relief to areas struggling with poor air quality and reduce the hazards posed by smog and fog, benefiting both public health and travel conditions.