Chilly Sunday, harsh cold up ahead: PMD issues weather alert

WEB DESK: Cold and dry weather is expected to dominate much of the country on Sunday, with partly cloudy skies in upper regions and fog likely to disrupt visibility in several plain areas during the morning and night hours, according to the weather forecast. In the coming days, weather conditions are predicted to get harsher, prompting the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) to issue an alert as well.

For Sunday, the PMD predicts that in Islamabad and surrounding areas, cold and dry conditions are expected, with skies remaining partly cloudy for most of the day.

Across Punjab, cold weather will prevail in most districts, while upper areas are likely to see partly cloudy skies. Murree, Galiyat and nearby regions are forecast to experience cold and partly cloudy conditions. Dense fog is expected in several districts, including Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Jhang, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and surrounding areas during morning and nighttime hours, which could affect travel.

Sindh will also experience cold and dry weather in most districts. Fog is likely to form in Sukkur, Rohri, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mohenjodaro and adjoining areas during late night and early morning hours.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cold and partly cloudy weather is expected across most districts, while upper regions may face extremely cold conditions. Light rain or light snowfall is likely at isolated places in Kohistan, Battagram and Chitral during the evening and night.

Balochistan is forecast to remain cold and dry in most areas, with extremely cold weather expected in northern districts. Partly cloudy conditions may develop in northern and northwestern parts of the province.

Meanwhile, Kashmir is likely to experience extremely cold and dry weather with partly cloudy skies. Gilgit-Baltistan will remain extremely cold as well, with partly cloudy conditions and the possibility of light rain or light snowfall at a few locations.

Authorities have advised travelers to remain cautious in fog-prone areas and cold regions, particularly during early morning and nighttime hours.

INTENSE COLD, SNOWFALL EXPECTED UP NORTH

The PMD said that a new spell of westerly winds is expected to enter the upper parts of the country by tomorrow evening, bringing increased chances of rain and snowfall next week. As a result, temperatures are likely to drop further, with the intensity of cold expected to peak between December 30 and 31.

Rain is forecast to continue in different parts of the country from December 31 through January 2. Rain and snowfall are expected in Murree, Galiyat and nearby areas from December 29 to 31, while rain is also likely in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan and Mansehra during the same period. Abbottabad, Buner and Battagram may experience rain and snowfall between December 29 and 31.

From December 30 to January 2, rain is expected in several areas, including Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Quetta, Ziarat, Kalat, Zhob and Mastung.

The PMD has cautioned that rain and snowfall could trigger landslides in mountainous regions and lead to temporary road closures in upper areas. It also warned that traffic may be disrupted due to snowfall, while there is a heightened risk of avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.