Widespread rain is expected across Pakistan starting from January 20, while snowfall is also likely in mountainous areas during this wet spell. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, a westerly weather system is currently present over the northwestern parts of the country. This system is expected to strengthen on January 20 and spread to most areas by January 21.
As a result, many regions including Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, Galyat, Islamabad, the Potohar region, and several divisions of Punjab such as Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur are likely to receive widespread rain from January 20 to January 23, with short breaks in between. Rain is also expected in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Peshawar, Hazara, Malakand, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan during the same period.
Heavy snowfall is expected in hilly areas such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree, Galyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli and Rawalakot. In Balochistan, rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms is likely in areas including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Turbat, Gwadar and nearby regions on January 21 and 22. Sindh may also experience rain in cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Larkana, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas and Ghotki around January 22 and 23.
Moderate to heavy snowfall is also expected in several parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Harnai and Zhob. Due to heavy snowfall, roads in many northern and hilly areas such as Naran, Kaghan, Swat, Chitral, Murree, Galyat, Neelum Valley, Hunza, Skardu and surrounding regions may become slippery or closed between January 21 and January 23.
There is also a risk of landslides and avalanches in the mountainous areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during this period. Tourists are advised to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel. During the wet spell, fog is expected to reduce in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh, while daytime temperatures across the country are likely to fall noticeably.
