ISLAMABAD: An active rain spell is expected next week that is likely to extend into the first week of next month, resulting in sudden drop of temperature not only in Murree and Galiyat but across Potohar region including Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

At present, cold and dry weather is persisting in most parts of the country, with soft winds up to the speed of around 15km per hour.

The satellite imagery in the website of Met Office shows that most parts of Afghanistan and central Iran are devoid of clouds.

At the same time the active weather system is present over Central Asia and east Europe, and the high temperature over most of Pakistan and India during the coming seven days is likely to invite clouds and strong winds from the West.

The western system is expected to reach the country bringing rains in parts of Iran, Afghanistan and most of northern and central Pakistan from Saturday (Feb 24).

This rain spell could extend up to eight days with a gap of one or two sunny days, and there were chances that mercury would drop significantly in the first week of March.

A Met Office official said hilly areas of Murree and Galiyat might receive snowfall in the first week of March.

“This also means that winters will be extended thus reducing the spring season,” the official said.

At the same time due to lack of rainfall the current environmental conditions reflect the arrival of spring due to mild daytime temperature and cool nights.

Sunny days have promoted sprouting of grass which will lead to an increase in pollen count, signalling allergies among sensitive people in the coming days.

However, pollen releases from trees and flowers were almost negligible.

However the count from these sources is expected to increase after the rainfall in the first week of March.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2018