RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted rain-wind/thunderstorm with heavy snowfall over the hills in the western and upper parts of the country during the first week of January.

The Met Office predicted that after a long dry period a frontal weather system is likely to enter western parts of the country on January, 1, 2025 (evening/night) and may persist in the upper parts till January 6.

Under the influence of this weather system, rain-wind/thunderstorm with heavy snowfall will occur in Murree and Galliyat from January 1 (night) to January 6 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Islamabad, Potohar region, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh from January 2 (evening/night) to 6th (morning) while light rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Taunsa Sharif, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara and Bahawalnagar from January 2nd (night) to 5thwith occasional gaps.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain-wind/thunderstorm with heavy snowfall is expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar whereas in Kashmir, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur) will experience the same weather pattern from January 1 (night) to January 6 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm with heavy snowfall over hills is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s districts of Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak and Kohat from January 1 to 5th, with occasional gaps.

In Balochistan, rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over hills is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Chaghi, Noshki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob and Musakhel from January 1st to 4th with occasional gaps.

Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of Sindh, however, light rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur and Jacobabad on January 3 and 4th.

For the possible impacts of the new weather system, the Met Office said that heavy snowfall may cause road closure/slippery conditions in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah and Qila Saifullah from January 2 to 6th.

Landslides or avalanche are also expected in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree and Galiyat during the period.

The Met Office warned tourists to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling during the period. However, it brought good news for the farmers as rain may be beneficial for the standing crops in Barani areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It stated that cold wave conditions are likely to grip most parts of the country followed by wet spell. Dense foggy conditions may develop in plains of the country after the forecast period.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2025