ISLAMABAD, Jan 15 (dna):Pakistan is heading into a new and active winter phase as a fresh westerly weather system prepares to enter the country, bringing widespread rain, thunderstorms and snowfall across large parts of the north and plains over the coming days.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, a shallow westerly wave is likely to approach the upper parts of the country from the evening of January 16 and persist until January 19.
The system is expected to intensify from January 20 onwards, extending its grip over most regions of the country from January 21.
Under the influence of this developing 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 January 16 night 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 also expected in Murree and the Galliyat from January 18 to 20.
From January 20 to January 23, the weather activity is forecast to expand and intensify. Widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, the Galliyat, Islamabad, the Potohar region and several districts across 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 Met Office has warned that heavy snowfall may lead to slippery conditions and possible road closures in 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 the hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Tourists have been advised to remain extremely cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.
The department noted that fog conditions over Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh are likely to ease during the wet spell, while daytime temperatures are expected to drop significantly across many regions. The Met Office said it will continue to monitor the system and issue updates as the situation develops.
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