Rain, Snowfall Likely in Upper, Western Areas from Dec 20: PMD

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain, thunderstorms and snowfall over hilly areas in the western and upper parts of the country from December 20 to 22, under the influence of a strong western weather system.

According to PMD, the weather system will enter Balochistan on December 19 and gradually move northward, affecting multiple regions of the country over the following days.

Under the influence of the system, rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over hills is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Musakhel, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Lasbela, Kech, Awaran, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk, Chagai, Kharan and Kalat from the evening of December 19 to December 20.

The system will then move into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where rain-wind/thunderstorm with moderate snowfall in upper areas is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Kohat from the night of December 20 to December 22, with occasional gaps.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/motorway-police-issue-travel-advisory-for-foggy-weather/

Moderate to heavy snowfall is also expected in the northern mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall is forecast in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from December 20 night to December 23 morning.

In Punjab and the federal capital, rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Potohar region, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal and Layyah from the evening of December 20 to December 21. Tourist destinations Murree and the Galiyat are likely to receive rain with snowfall during the same period.

Meanwhile, cloudy weather with drizzle is expected in Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Multan, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan and Toba Tek Singh on December 20 and 21.

In Sindh, partly cloudy to cloudy weather is expected in most areas on December 19 and 20.

The Met Office has issued advisories warning that snowfall may disrupt road traffic and create slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli from December 20 to 22.

There is also a risk of landslides and avalanches in the hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and remain cautious during the forecast period.

PMD further noted that smog and fog conditions may persist in central and southern Punjab and upper Sindh, potentially affecting visibility and travel.