Cold Wave to Sweep the Nation Starting December 8, Snowfall and Rain Forecasted
RAWALPINDI: A cold wave is expected to envelop the country starting December 8, bringing snowfall to Murree and other mountainous regions, along with rain across the upper and central parts of Punjab.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning that cold and frosty conditions are likely to persist throughout the week. Rain, accompanied by wind and thunderstorms (with snowfall in higher altitudes), is predicted to impact the northern and central regions.
The PMD indicates that a westerly weather system will begin affecting the northern parts of the country from December 7. This system will usher in a cold wave, expected to influence much of the country between December 8 and 14, with temperatures dropping notably during both day and night.
In areas such as Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, temperatures are anticipated to fall by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius below normal, while Balochistan and Sindh will experience a 5°-7°C drop. Gusty winds and chilly weather will grip Sindh, Balochistan, and parts of Punjab, with frost formation expected on the plains.
The PMD further reports moderate rain, wind, and thunderstorm activity (with snowfall in the mountains) in regions including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Buner, Shangla, Manshera, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Astore, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Kotli, Haveli, and Bagh from the night of December 7 to December 11, with intermittent breaks.
In Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, and Jhang, light to moderate rain, wind, and thunderstorms are expected, along with snowfall over higher elevations, from the night of December 7 through mid-day on December 8.
The PMD has advised farmers to plan their activities carefully, considering the risk of frost. It also recommended limiting exposure to the cold and windy conditions, especially during the night and early morning.
Additionally, tourists and travelers heading to the mountainous areas have been urged to exercise caution during this period.
In anticipation of the first snowfall in Murree, the district administration has put all necessary arrangements in place, following instructions from the Punjab government. Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Shirazi confirmed that additional police and traffic personnel have been deployed to manage the increased flow of visitors, while facilitation centers have been set up in coordination with provincial authorities and the army. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has also provided rescue equipment, including snow chains for tires, winter tents, and other emergency tools.
