Islamabad, December 18, 2025 — The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather alert forecasting rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall in hilly areas across several regions of the country from December 20 to December 22, 2025, due to an approaching western disturbance.
According to the Met Office, the weather system is expected to enter Balochistan on December 19 and intensify over the upper parts of Pakistan by December 20, triggering widespread precipitation and cold conditions.
In Balochistan, rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, along with snowfall over mountainous areas, is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Musakhel, Kalat and surrounding districts from the evening of December 19 to December 20. Coastal and southern districts, including Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur and Awaran, may also receive rainfall.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms with moderate snowfall in upper areas are forecast from the night of December 20 to December 22. Affected areas include Chitral, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar and nearby districts.
The PMD has also predicted moderate to heavy snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Hunza, Skardu, Astore, Neelum Valley and Muzaffarabad, from December 20 night to December 23 morning.
For Punjab and Islamabad, rain and thunderstorms are likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the Potohar region, while snowfall is expected in Murree and the Galliyat. Cloudy weather with light drizzle may occur in several central Punjab cities.
Meanwhile, Sindh is expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions on December 19 and 20.
Possible Impacts and Advisory
The PMD warned that heavy snowfall may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in northern tourist destinations. There is also a risk of landslides and avalanches in mountainous areas. Tourists and commuters are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and remain cautious. Smog and fog may persist in parts of central and southern Punjab and upper Sindh.