ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain, thunderstorms, and heavy snowfall in the western and upper regions of the country from December 22 to 24.
According to the Met Office, a strong western weather system will begin affecting Pakistan from December 19. The system is expected to enter Balochistan first and then move northwards by December 20, bringing rain and snowfall to several areas over the following days.
Balochistan will be the first province to feel its impact, with rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and snowfall over hilly areas expected in cities including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Musakhel, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Lasbela, Kech, Awaran, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk, Chagai, Kharan and Kalat from the evening of December 19 until December 20.
As the system moves east and north, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is likely to experience rain and thunderstorms along with moderate snowfall in upper areas from the night of December 20 through December 22.
Affected districts include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Kohat, with brief breaks in between.
Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in the mountainous regions of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. Areas such as Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, along with Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, are likely to receive rain and snowfall from the night of December 20 until the morning of December 23.
In Punjab and the federal capital, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, the Potohar region, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, and Layyah from the evening of December 20 to December 21. Murree and the Galiyat region are likely to receive rain along with snowfall during the same period.
Cloudy conditions with light drizzle are also expected in cities such as Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Multan, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Toba Tek Singh on December 20 and 21.
In Sindh, most areas are expected to remain partly cloudy to cloudy on December 19 and 20.
The Met Office has warned that snowfall may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in tourist areas, including Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli between December 20 and 22.
There is also a risk of landslides and avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir. Tourists and travelers are advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during this period.