ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast light rainfall for Karachi and several parts of Sindh, while heavy snowfall is expected in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Balochistan and Punjab during the coming week.
According to the Met Office, rain and thunderstorms accompanied by snowfall over hilly areas are likely as a westerly weather system approaches the western regions of the country on the night of December 29. The system is expected to intensify from December 30, affecting most upper and central areas by December 31, and continuing in the northern parts until January 2, 2026.
Under the influence of this system, rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms with snowfall over hills are expected in several areas of Balochistan including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Musakhel, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Awaran, Chagi, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk and Kharan from December 29 to December 31, with intermittent breaks.
The PMD said isolated light rain or drizzle is likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Thatta, Badin and nearby areas on December 30.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms with moderate to heavy snowfall in upper areas are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Kohat from December 30 to January 1.
The Met Office also forecast rain and thunderstorms with moderate snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistanās Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as in Kashmirās Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from December 30 to January 2.
In Punjab, rain and thunderstorms with snowfall are expected in Murree and the Galliyat from December 30 to January 2. Isolated rain and gusty winds are likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, the Potohar region, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura and Gujrat between December 31 and January 1, while southern and central districts including Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Jhang and Sahiwal may receive rain on December 31.
The PMD warned that snowfall could lead to slippery roads and possible closures in areas such as Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli from December 30 to January 2.
The department also cautioned about the risk of landslides and avalanches in hilly regions of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during this period. Tourists have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.
The PMD added that fog conditions are likely to ease in central and southern Punjab as well as upper Sindh during the wet spell, while daytime temperatures are expected to drop further in the coming week, especially after the system passes.
