ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: The Meteorological Office on Saturday warned of a change in weather pattern that may trigger widespread rains and snowfall in the country especially in the northern parts during the next 2-3 days.

According to a Met Office spokesperson, “Earthquake affected areas can become very cold because of snowfall. And there are risks of land-sliding in these regions. Obviously all of this will obstruct Erra activities and other aid efforts.”

This weather pattern would continue till December 6, he said adding, “We are experiencing a minimum 3 degrees Celsius and a maximum 18 degrees Celsius in Islamabad. And we are expecting the temperatures to drop another 2-3 degrees. If it becomes very cold we might have snowfall at higher spots on the Margallah hills.”

The Met Office predicted moderate to heavy rain along with substantial snowfall.

This weather pattern was the result from a well marked westerly low pressure system that had entered Balochistan from Iran.

The system would yield thundershower and heavy rains in south Balochistan along the Makran coast. And at present the system was heading towards Sindh and likely to spread out throughout the country during next 3-4 days.

According to the Met Office, under the influence of this system widespread rain/thundershowers of moderate intensity with a few heavy falls are likely over major areas of Sindh including Karachi and adjoining areas, Punjab including Islamabad and Lahore, Kashmir and earthquake affected areas.

The Met Office also said that the Barani and Irrigated areas of the country were expected to receive good rain during the period and farmers were advised to take precautionary measures regarding crops accordingly.