Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather advisory, forecasting light to moderate rain and snowfall across the northern parts of the country and north Balochistan over the coming days, as a shallow westerly weather system moves in.
According to the press release issued by the department, the system is expected to approach western and northern regions from the night of January 30 and may persist until February 3, 2026.
Areas likely to be affected
Mainly cloudy conditions with light to moderate rain, along with snowfall in hilly areas, are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, and surrounding districts. Similar weather is forecast for parts of Azad Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bagh, and Kotli.
Several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also expected to see rain and snow between January 31 and February 3. These include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, and nearby areas, with occasional breaks in between.
Light rain is also forecasted for Islamabad, the Potohar region, and parts of Punjab, including Sialkot, Gujrat, and Gujranwala, from February 1 to February 3, 2026. Murree and the Galliyat may receive light rain or snowfall during the same period.
In north Balochistan, light to moderate rain and snowfall, along with heavy winds, are expected in areas such as Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Chaman, and Pishin between 31 January and 1 February.
Possible impacts and advice
The Met office has warned that snowfall may make roads slippery in several mountainous areas, including Naran, Kaghan, Swat, Astore, Hunza, and parts of Kashmir. There is also a risk of landslides or avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
As per the PMD, tourists have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period. Daytime temperatures are also expected to drop in many of the affected regions.
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