The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasts a significant weather system affecting multiple regions during Ramadan. A shallow westerly wave will enter northern areas on March 9 (evening/night), intensifying from March 12 through March 16.

Regional Weather Outlook

Northern Areas (March 9-16)

Rain, wind, thunderstorms and mountain snow expected in:

  • Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Bunner
  • Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai
  • Murree, Galliyat
  • Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar)
  • Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur)

Precipitation will continue with intermittent breaks.

Islamabad and KP (March 10)

Rain, wind, and thunderstorms forecast for:

  • Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Haripur
  • Kurram, Bannu, Waziristan
  • Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi
  • Karak, Hangu, Kohat, Khyber

Punjab and KP (March 12-16)

Moderate rain with some heavy falls expected in:

  • Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal
  • Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin
  • Sargodha, Khushab, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal
  • Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Jhang, T.T. Singh
  • Mianwali, D.I. Khan

This system will persist until March 16 morning.

Balochistan, South Punjab, and Sindh (March 14-15)

Rain, wind, thunderstorms and mountain snow predicted for:

  • Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah
  • Chagi, Noushki, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob, Sherani
  • Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Adu
  • Rahim Yar Khan, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana
  • Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara

Safety Concerns and Public Advisories

Road Conditions

Moderate to heavy rain and snowfall may cause road closures and hazardous driving conditions in:

  • Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat
  • Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla
  • Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli

These conditions are most likely on March 10 and March 12-15.

Mountain Hazards

  • Landslides and avalanches possible in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir
  • Hailstorms expected in isolated locations across upper KP, upper Punjab, Islamabad, and Kashmir

Travel and Agriculture

  • Tourists and travelers should avoid unnecessary mountain travel from March 13-16
  • Farmers should adjust agricultural activities based on forecast conditions

The Met Office urges all citizens to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary safety precautions.