Islamabad, June 12, 2025 — The residents of Islamabad may finally breathe a sigh of relief as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a thunderstorm in the next 24 hours.
After days of scorching temperatures, the capital is expected to receive a potential break from the oppressive heat, with the possibility of gusty winds, scattered rain, and thunder providing temporary but welcome respite.
While the probability of a thunderstorm over Islamabad is relatively modest—estimated at 30% for Thursday and 40% for Friday—the anticipation is high. The PMD report indicates that very hot and dry weather will dominate during the daytime across Islamabad, but the evening and night may bring thunderstorm activity along with a drop in temperature.
On Thursday, Islamabad is expected to endure intense daytime heat with temperatures soaring well above seasonal norms. However, a slight weather shift may occur later in the day as a thunderstorm is likely to develop. On Friday, similar conditions will persist through the morning and afternoon before another round of possible thunderstorm activity rolls into the capital during the evening hours.
At the national level, a severe heatwave alert has been issued, highlighting abnormally high temperatures across much of the country, including Islamabad. The PMD has warned that daytime temperatures will remain 5 to 7°C above normal in central and upper Punjab, Islamabad, and adjoining regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. In the southern half, including parts of Sindh and Balochistan, temperatures are expected to remain 4 to 6°C above the seasonal average.
The synoptic situation suggests that continental air continues to dominate most of Pakistan, with a high-pressure system entrenched in the upper atmosphere. However, a shallow westerly trough is forecast to approach northern areas later tonight, increasing the likelihood of thunderstorm development over Islamabad and nearby regions.
Citizens of Islamabad are advised to take precautions, especially between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun is at its peak intensity. The PMD urges the public to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight during this time.
In the last 24 hours, weather across Pakistan remained largely dry and exceptionally hot. While regions like Chitral and Kalam received a mere 1mm of rainfall, Islamabad remained dry, contributing to the buildup of heat stress in the capital.
Now, all eyes are on the skies above Islamabad, as residents await the cooling embrace of a long-overdue thunderstorm.