RAWALPINDI: Another spell of light to moderate rain and snowfall in the northern areas of the country, particularly over the hills in the upper parts of Balochistan, is expected from Jan 30 to Feb 3.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted that a shallow westerly wave was likely to approach the western and northern parts of the country during the period, causing a drop in daytime temperatures.

Under the influence of this system, mainly cloudy weather with light to moderate rain and snowfall over the hills is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnuti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur) and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbott­abad, Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Kohat, Kurram and Waziristan, from Jan 31 to Feb 3 with occasional gaps.

Light rain is also expected in Is­­lamabad, the Potohar region, Sial­k­­ot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujran­wala and surrounding areas from Feb 1 to 3. Light rain and snowfall are lik­e­­­­ly in Murree, Galiyat and their sur­­rounding areas during this period.

Light to moderate rain, wind and snowfall are expected in northern parts of Balochistan, including Qu­­etta, Ziarat, Zhob, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Nu­­shki and Harnai, from Jan 31 to Feb 1.

PMD warning

On the possible threats, the PMD warned that snowfall might cause slippery conditions in Nar­an, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chi­tral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh and Haveli from Feb 1 to 3, and in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Nushki, Harnai and Zhob on Jan 31 and Feb 1.

It also cautioned about the possibility of landslides and avalan­ches in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the period, advising tourists to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026