Islamabad, December 18, 2024 – A severe cold wave has gripped Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with temperatures expected to drop as low as -2°C over the next 72 hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The PMD forecasts that Islamabad’s temperatures will range between 1°C and -2°C during the next three days.
For Thursday, December 19, the PMD predicts cold and dry weather in Islamabad and its surrounding areas, with shallow fog likely to occur in isolated locations during the morning hours. On Wednesday, December 18, Islamabad’s weather is expected to remain cold and cloudy, continuing the city’s frigid spell.
Discussing the synoptic situation, the PMD reported that continental air is dominating most parts of the country, with a shallow westerly wave present over upper regions. Islamabad, being centrally located in this affected region, will continue to experience the brunt of these conditions.
Nationwide, the weather on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, is predominantly cold and dry, with hilly areas experiencing very cold and cloudy conditions. Light rain or snowfall may occur in isolated parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and nearby hilly areas. Islamabad’s residents, however, are unlikely to see precipitation but may experience a chillier climate due to the surrounding cold air mass. Drizzle is also possible in northeast Punjab. Moderate to dense fog patches are expected in plain areas of Punjab, upper Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during nighttime.
For Thursday, December 19, 2024, Islamabad will again face cold and dry weather, aligning with conditions in most parts of the country. Hilly areas may see very cold and partly cloudy weather, while dense fog patches are anticipated in parts of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning and night hours.
In the past 24 hours, cold and dry weather prevailed across most regions, with very cold and partly cloudy conditions reported in hilly areas. Islamabad also experienced a chilly day, reflecting the broader weather trend. Shallow fog was observed in parts of north/eastern Punjab, underscoring the cold grip on the region.
Today’s lowest recorded temperatures include Leh at -10°C, Gupis at -08°C, and Skardu and Ziarat at -07°C. While Islamabad’s minimum temperatures have not been as extreme, the city remains a focal point for the ongoing cold wave.