After what feels like an eternity, the dry spell is finally coming to an end. The Met Office has informed us that a westerly wave is expected to enter the western parts of the country on the 27th of January and may persist over the upper regions until the 31st. This means that we can expect some much-needed rain and snowfall in various areas.
Gilgit Baltistan/Kashmir
In Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar) and Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), we can anticipate light to moderate rain, with snowfall over the hills, from the night of the 27th until the 31st of January.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Manshera, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Bunner, Karak, Peshawar, Charsada, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Bannu, and Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also expected to experience light to moderate rain, with snowfall over the hills, from the night of the 27th until the 31st of January, with occasional breaks.
Punjab/Islamabad
In Islamabad and the Pothohar region, we can anticipate light to moderate rain from the night of the 27th until the 31st of January. Murree and Galliyat will also experience light to moderate rain, with snowfall over the hills, during this period, with occasional breaks. On the 30th and 31st of January, cities like Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, and Sargodha may also witness some rainfall.
Balochistan
Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Chamman, Barkhan, and the Makran coast in Balochistan can expect light to moderate rain, with snowfall over the hills, on the 28th and 29th of January, with occasional breaks.
Sindh
Most parts of Sindh will experience cold and dry weather, with shallow to moderate foggy conditions in the upper regions.
Possible Impacts and Advises
The predicted snowfall may cause disruptions on roads in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli. We advise tourists to remain cautious during this spell.
The rain, on the other hand, may prove beneficial for the standing crops in the Barani areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
All concerned authorities have been alerted and advised to take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situations during this forecasted period.