Pakistan Braces for Winter’s First Snowfall in Northern Mountains This Week
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s northern mountains are set for the first snowfall of the winter season this week, the Meteorological Department said on Tuesday, as a new weather system moves in bringing rain and thunderstorms to several regions, including the federal capital.
The forecast covers November 10 to 14, with snow expected over the higher reaches of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. In an advisory, the Met Office urged tourists and residents to take care on mountain roads, where rain and snow can make driving treacherous and disrupt journeys.
“Tourists should take necessary precautions while enjoying the first snowfall of the winter season,” the department said, advising travellers to carry warm clothing, food and emergency supplies, check weather and road conditions before setting out, and avoid unnecessary journeys in severe weather.
The wettest days fall on November 12 and 13
The westerly system entered the country’s northwestern parts on Tuesday evening, and the Met Office expects it to grow stronger on November 12. On Wednesday, isolated rain with strong winds and thunderstorms is expected across upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, with snowfall likely in the mountains. Thursday brings more rain and thunderstorms in the same regions, with showers also possible in the Potohar region, upper Punjab and northeastern Balochistan. Friday’s outlook is similar, before conditions ease on Saturday, when most of the country turns dry.
A separate alert issued late on Tuesday covered Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Swat and several other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning of strong winds, thunderstorms, rain and hail, with snow possible on the mountain peaks.
Temperatures to fall as Punjab braces for rain
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority has issued an alert for rain across most districts of the province from November 10 to 13. Daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in the rain-affected areas, and foggy conditions may develop over the plains once the rainy spell passes. Most districts of Balochistan and Sindh are expected to stay dry.
