ISLAMABAD: A fresh westerly wave is approaching the country and is likely to bring a new spell of rain to the upper parts of Pakistan from Tuesday night onwards. Rawalpindi and Islamabad are likely to receive rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.

Cold and dry weather prevails in most parts of the country though rain, thunderstorms and snowfall is expected over the hills in isolated places in Quetta, Zhob, Kalat and Gilgit Baltistan Monday night as the system enters the country.

As the incoming system is not very strong, rains in parts of northern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan will be scattered.

Due to clouds, the minimum temperature in these areas will increase but the mercury level will drop after Friday when the sky clears.

“Clouds also block winds and because winds will start flowing after the rain, the additional moisture on surface soil adds to the chill,” an official of the met office said.

The met office has predicted above normal rainfall throughout the country in February while the mountainous areas of KP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and GB may receive above normal snowfall during the month as well.

The official said another brief rain spell is expected next week. He said the average rainfall in the federal capital during February is 89mm and that it had already reached 46.01mm by Monday.

The minimum temperature in Murree was -1°C while the lowest temperature in the country was in Astore and Kalam at -9°C. It was -8°C in Skardu and Bagrote, and -2°C in Rawalakot.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2019