Pakistan is set to experience a spell of cold and rainy weather from coming Friday onwards. Questions have arised that whether it will rain on the weekend or not.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), rain, snowfall and dense fog are expected in several parts of the country. However, there is no such prediction of rain over the weekend.
Weather forecast
The National Weather Forecasting Centre in Islamabad said that a westerly weather system is affecting the upper regions and will continue over the coming days. From Friday and Saturday (January 16 to January 17, 2026), rain and snowfall are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, while most other areas will remain cold and dry.
During this period, dense fog is likely to persist in many parts of Punjab, especially in the plains, during the night and early morning hours. Fog is expected to affect visibility from Sunday to Thursday (January 18-22), particularly on major roads and motorways.
From Tuesday, January 20, rain and snowfall may extend to northern Balochistan, while unsettled weather is expected to continue in the upper parts of the country between Wednesday and Thursday (January 21-22).
Islamabad weather
The weather forecast also mentioned that from Sunday, January 18, rain and snowfall are expected in Murree, the Galiyat and nearby areas. Moreover, it will also be raining in Islamabad, the Potohar region and north-eastern Punjabfrom Sunday to Monday (January 18-19).
Furthermore, here is the weather forecast of Islamabad for January 2026:
Advisory and impacts
Tourists have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in snowbound regions where access roads may become blocked or unsafe.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department spokesperson, heavy snowfall may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in a number of mountainous and hilly areas. These include parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa such as Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Shangla, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan areas including Astore, Hunza and Skardu. Snowfall is also expected in Murree, the Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli, along with parts of Balochistan such as Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai and Zhob.
The advisory says these conditions are most likely between the night of January 21 and 23, when snowfall may intensify. During this period, there is also a risk of landslides in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Also Read: Pakistan weather forecast: PMD predicts rain, snowfall
