Islamabad, February 15, 2024 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather alert forecasting thunderstorms and snowfall in various regions of the country.
The Met Office revealed that a robust westerly wave is expected to approach western parts on February 17 (night) and may affect upper and central areas of the country on February 18. The weather system is anticipated to persist until February 21.
The forecasted impacts and advisories for different regions are as follows:
Gilgit Baltistan/Kashmir: Moderate to heavy rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall over the hills are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from the night of February 17 to February 21, with occasional gaps. Isolated hailstorms may also occur during this period.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan are likely to experience moderate to heavy rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall over the hills from the night of February 17 to February 20, with occasional gaps. Isolated hailstorms may also occur during this period.
Punjab/Islamabad: Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, and Kasur are expected to witness moderate to heavy rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall over the hills from the night of February 17 to February 21. Light to moderate rain, wind, thunderstorms are forecasted for Multan, Bhakkar, Kot Addu, Layyah, Rajanpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan on February 18 and 19. Isolated hailstorms may also occur during this period.
Balochistan: Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, and Kohlu are likely to experience rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall over the hills on the evening/night of February 18 and February 19.
Sindh: Southern parts of the province are expected to have dry weather with strong gusty winds from February 18 to February 20.
Possible Impacts and Advises:
• Heavy rain/snowfall may disrupt and cause road closures in various regions, including Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli from February 18 to 20.
• Possibility of landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan cannot be ruled out during the forecast period.
• Wind, thunderstorms, and hailstorms may damage loose structures such as electric poles, vehicles, and solar panels.
• Farmers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during this weather spell.
Note: All concerned authorities are urged to remain “ALERT” and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situations during the forecast period. The PMD continues to monitor the evolving weather conditions and will provide updates as needed.