LAHORE: The weeklong chill in the country’s plains began to ebb away with bright sunshine on Friday, but the meteorological department’s forecast for next week includes heavy rain and snowfall in the northern areas.

Intermittent rain may trigger landslides in vulnerable parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Isolated heavy rain may cause flash floods in certain streams of Balochistan, the weather advisory cautions.

The westerly winds, a weather system responsible for rain and snowfall in winters, had earlier caused rainfall in most cities and heavy snowfall in the hilly areas earlier this week, leaving a cold snap across the country. Senior meteorologists in Lahore say the new wave of winds will be stronger than the previous one.

The weather on Thursday was clear in most parts of the country but the weak sunlight did little to take the edge off the icy cold wind.

Friday’s weather was warm enough but in the afternoon, the Met Office received reports that another strong westerly wave was headed for Pakistan via Afghanistan on Monday.

There will be rain and snowfall in the hilly areas of Balochistan between Mon­day and Wednesday. Heavy snowfall is expected on the hills in Quetta, Zhob and Kalat divisions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There may be rain in scattered places of Sindh on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Rain and snowfall has also been forecast for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata between Monday and Thursday. Intermittent heavy snowfall may occur over the hills in Fata, Malakand and Hazara divisions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Certain parts of Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir will also receive rain and snowfall between Monday and Thursday, the Met Office says. Inter­mittent heavy snowfall may occur over the hills of Murree and Galliyat, between Tuesday and Thursday.

Published in Dawn January 21st, 2017