Fresh Winter System to Bring Rain, Snow Across Pakistan

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan is set to enter a new and active winter phase as a fresh westerly weather system approaches, bringing widespread rain, thunderstorms and snowfall to large parts of the country over the coming days, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Wednesday.

According to the PMD, a shallow westerly wave is expected to enter the upper parts of the country from the evening of January 16 and remain active until January 19. The system is forecast to intensify from January 20 onwards and extend to most regions of the country by January 21.

Under the influence of the system, rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, along with light to moderate snowfall, is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as in Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh and Haveli from the night of January 16 to January 19, with occasional breaks.

Parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur and Buner, are also likely to receive rain and snowfall during this period. Light rain and snowfall is expected in Murree and the Galliyat from January 18 to 20.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/temperature-in-peshawar-drops-to-1c-amid-intense-cold-wave/

From January 20 to January 23, the weather activity is forecast to intensify and expand. Widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, the Galliyat, Islamabad, the Potohar region and several districts of Punjab, including Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions. Rain is also expected in Peshawar, Hazara, Malakand, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions.

During this phase, heavy snowfall is likely in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree, the Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli and Rawalakot.

Balochistan is expected to come under the influence of the system on January 21 and 22, with rain, wind and thunderstorms forecast for Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Musakhel, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Lasbela, Kech, Awaran, Chaghi, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk and Kharan. Moderate to heavy snowfall is likely in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai and Zhob.

The system is forecast to reach Sindh on January 22 and 23, bringing rain to Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Naushero Feroze, Kashmore, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas and Ghotki.

The PMD warned that heavy snowfall could lead to slippery conditions and possible road closures in hilly areas, including Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, the Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai and Zhob from the night of January 21 to January 23. There is also a risk of landslides and avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise extreme caution during the forecast period.

The Met Office said fog conditions over Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh are likely to ease during the wet spell, while daytime temperatures are expected to fall significantly across many regions. The PMD said it would continue to monitor the system and issue updates as the situation develops.