Rain of different intensities along with snowfall in hilly areas is expected in various parts of Pakistan during the coming week.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, a westerly weather system is likely to enter the western parts of the country on the night of December 29. It is expected to strengthen on December 30 and affect most upper and central regions by December 31. This system may continue to impact upper areas until January 2, 2026.
Due to this weather pattern, rain of varying strength and snowfall over mountainous regions is forecast across the country during the week.
In Balochistan, areas including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Musakhel, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Lasbella, Kech, Awaran, Chagai, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk and Kharan are expected to receive rain with snowfall over hills from the night of December 29 to December 31, with occasional breaks. In Sindh, light rain or drizzle is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Thatta, Badin and nearby areas on December 30.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain along with moderate to heavy snowfall over hills is likely in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Kohat from December 30 to January 1, with some gaps in between.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir are also expected to receive rain with moderate snowfall in hilly areas. Regions including Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, may experience this weather from the evening or night of December 30 until the morning of January 2.
In Punjab and Islamabad, rain along with snowfall over the hills is likely in Murree and Galiyat from the night of December 30 to the morning of January 2.
Isolated rain is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, the Potohar region, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura and Gujrat from December 31 to January 1. Other areas including Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Muzaffargarh, Jhang and Sahiwal may receive rain on December 31.
Snowfall in northern and hilly regions may lead to slippery roads and possible road closures in areas such as Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli.
There is also a risk of landslides and avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Tourists have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during this period.
Fog conditions are expected to ease in central and southern Punjab as well as upper Sindh during the wet spell. Daytime temperatures are likely to drop further across the country, especially after the weather system passes.
