ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicts rainfall and isolated hailstorms with snowfall in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and various parts of Pakistan starting Sunday evening through Tuesday.
As per the synoptic situation, a westerly wind pattern dominates western Pakistan and is anticipated to shift towards the northern regions, possibly strengthening over the next 12 hours.
Expect cloudy conditions with rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snow in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar region, Islamabad, Punjab, and northern Balochistan on Sunday evening/night. Moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by snowfall in Kashmir, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galyat, and Potohar regions is expected, along with isolated hailstorms.
Monday and Tuesday are likely to see continued cloudy weather with rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snow in the aforementioned regions, with heavy rainfall and snowfall in specific areas including Kashmir, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galyat, Islamabad, and Potohar region. Isolated hailstorms may occur during this period as well.
Heavy rain and snowfall could lead to road closures in Murree, Galyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Havellian from Sunday to Tuesday. The risk of landslides in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan is also noteworthy.
Minimum temperatures in Islamabad are forecasted to range between 06-08 degrees Celsius on Monday and Tuesday, while in Rawalpindi, they are expected to remain between 10-12°C during the same period.
In the past 24 hours, cold and dry weather prevailed in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and most parts of the country, with recorded rainfall in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan.
Rainfall (mm):
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Dir, Kalam, Malam Jabba 03, Balakot, Pattan 02
Gilgit Baltistan: Astore 02, Gupis 01
Snowfall (inches): Malam Jabba 01
Gupis remained the coldest place in the country where mercury dropped 04 C below freezing.
In Islamabad, minimum temperature was recorded at 08 C. Relative humidity during the morning was recorded at 83 per cent.
In Rawalpindi, minimum temperature was recorded at 10 C. Relative humidity during the morning was recorded at 30 per cent.
