PMD forecasts rain, windstorms, thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain and hailstorms across several Punjab districts on Monday.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, windstorms and thunderstorms across several districts of Punjab on Monday, with isolated heavy rain and hailstorms also possible as a westerly weather system continues to influence the upper and central parts of the country.
According to the PMD, rain, windstorms and thunderstorms are likely in Murree, Galyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Khushab, Sargodha, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Lahore, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Khanewal, Vehari, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Layyah, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, along with adjoining areas.
The weather department warned that isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms may occur during the period, potentially resulting in a spell of unsettled weather across parts of the province.
Dry conditions are expected in other parts of Punjab.
Weather outlook for Tuesday
On Tuesday, most parts of Punjab are expected to remain dry, while plain districts are likely to experience hot conditions during the daytime.
The PMD said a westerly wave is currently affecting the upper and central parts of the country and is likely to persist for the next 24 hours. Dry continental air is prevailing over other parts of the country.
Thunderstorms expected across northern areas
For Monday, rain, windstorms and thunderstorms are expected across Upper and Central Punjab, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
The PMD has also forecast isolated heavy rain and hailstorms in these areas during the period.
In contrast, most other parts of the country are expected to experience hot and dry weather.
By Tuesday, dry conditions are forecast across most plain areas, with daytime temperatures likely to remain high. Partly cloudy weather is, however, expected over northern areas.
Rainfall recorded across Punjab
The PMD reported that dry weather prevailed over most of the country during the past 24 hours, although isolated rain, windstorms and thunderstorms affected Islamabad, Upper and Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir.
Punjab recorded notable rainfall at several locations. Islamabad Airport received 62mm, Attock 55mm, Chaklala 39mm, Faisalabad 26mm, Joharabad 25mm, Chakwal 20mm and Noor Pur Thal 13mm.
Other rainfall totals included 12mm at Karor in Layyah, 11mm in Jhang, 8mm in Bhakkar, 7mm in Sahiwal, 7mm in Toba Tek Singh, 6mm in Mangla, 5mm in Jhelum, 4mm in Okara, 3mm in Sargodha City and 2mm in Murree.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, D.I. Khan City recorded 22mm and its airport 18mm, while Cherat received 7mm and Peshawar Airport 7mm. Kotli in Kashmir recorded 3mm.
Temperatures remain high
Despite unsettled weather in northern and central areas, temperatures remained high in parts of the country.
The highest maximum temperatures recorded during the previous day were 42°C in Turbat and 41°C in Sibbi, highlighting the continuing heat in several plain and western areas.
The PMD has advised residents in areas covered by the thunderstorm forecast to remain alert, as gusty winds, heavy downpours and isolated hailstorms may develop during the forecast period.