Widespread rain, thunderstorms & snowfall expected in KP from 1st to 5th January
Pakistan expects Week Long Rain Spell: Weather Department. After a prolonged dry spell, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted a significant shift in weather patterns with the arrival of a frontal weather system. This system is expected to impact the western regions of the country from the evening/night of 1st January 2025 and could persist in the upper regions until 6th January 2025.
Key Forecast for Different Regions:
Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir:
Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall are expected in various areas of Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar) and Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from 1st (night) to 6th January. The weather will have occasional breaks, but the conditions will remain severe for the majority of the period.
KP Weather Update:
The KP province will witness widespread rain, thunderstorms, and heavy snowfall in the hilly areas from 1st to 5th January. Areas like Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak, and Kohat will be impacted, with occasional dry spells in between.
Punjab & Islamabad:
Rain, thunderstorms, and heavy snowfall are expected in Murree and Galliyat from 1st January night to 6th January. Other areas of Punjab, including Islamabad, Pothohar region, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sargodha, will experience rain and wind from the evening of 2nd January to the morning of 6th January. Light rain and thunderstorms are also expected in Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, and surrounding areas from 2nd to 5th January.
Balochistan:
Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagi, Noushki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob, and Musakhel will experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms, with snowfall in the hilly areas, from 1st to 4th January.
Sindh:
While the majority of Sindh will experience cold and dry weather, light rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Dadu, Qamber Shehdad Kot, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, and Jacobabad on the 3rd and 4th of January.
Possible Impacts & Safety Advice:
The Met Office warns of heavy snowfall that may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in hill stations such as Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, and Quetta from 2nd to 6th January. There is also a heightened risk of landslides and avalanches in hilly regions during this period.
Tourists are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel in these areas, particularly during adverse weather. The rain is expected to be beneficial for standing crops in Barani areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Furthermore, a cold wave is likely to grip most parts of the country, accompanied by a wet spell. Dense fog may develop in the plains following this period, affecting visibility and road safety.
