Met Department predicts snowfall in Northern Areas, rain in Punjab

The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) predicted snowfall in Northern Areas of Pakistan and rain across Punjab. A strong westerly wave will likely approach western parts on Friday night and moderate to heavy rain-wind and thunderstorms are expected in upper/central parts of the country till Sunday, Met Dept said in a press release.

Met Dept forecasted moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur from 17th (night) to 21st Feb. Isolated hailstorm may also occur during the period.

While snowfall is expected over the hills of Murree and Galiyat from Friday night to Sunday. While light to moderate rain-wind/thunderstorms in Multan, Bhakkar, Kot Addu, Layyah, Rajanpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan on 18th & 19th Feb.

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Under the influence of this weather system moderate to heavy rain is expected in Northern Pakistan. Snowfall over the hills is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar) and Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from Friday night to 21st Feb with occasional gaps.

According to Met Dept, moderate to heavy rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is also expected in 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 from 17th (night) to 20th Feb with occasional gaps. Isolated hailstorms may also occur during this period.

Balochistan will also come under the weather system and will witness rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel and Kohlu on 18th (evening/night) & 19th Feb.

Sindh will remain dry with strong gusty winds expected in southern parts of the province from 18th to 20th Feb, PMD said in a press release.