- Westerly system approaches on Jan 16, strengthens from Jan 20.
- Rain and light to moderate snowfall expected in northern regions.
- Heavy snowfall may cause road closures and slippery conditions.
Rain with strong winds and thunder is forecast in Karachi and other parts of Sindh on January 22 and 23 as a weather system is set to bring widespread rain and snowfall across the country over the coming days, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Thursday.
The Met Office said a shallow westerly wave is likely to approach the upper parts of the country from January 16 and may persist until January 19, before strengthening from January 20 and affecting most parts of the country from January 21.
Between January 16 (evening/night) and 19, rain-wind/thunderstorm with light to moderate snowfall is expected in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Azad Kashmir (AJK) and parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with occasional gaps, the department said, adding that light rain and snowfall are also likely in Murree, the Galiyat and surrounding areas from January 18 to 20.
From January 20 to 23, widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in GB, AJK, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad and the Potohar region, as well as in various districts of Punjab and KP, with occasional gaps.
Intermittent rain with strong winds and thunder is likely in various districts of Balochistan on January 21 and 22, while rain is also expected in Sindh on January 22 and 23, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Naushahro Feroze, Kashmore, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, and Ghotki, the Met Office said.
The department warned that heavy snowfall is expected in several mountainous areas from January 20 (night) to 23 and may lead to road closures and slippery conditions, while there is also a risk of landslides and avalanches in hilly areas during the period.
Tourists were advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.
The Met Office said fog is likely to reduce in Punjab, KP and upper Sindh during the wet spell, while daytime temperatures are expected to drop significantly across the country.
