ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department on Tuesday forecast cloudy weather with intermittent rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms, along with snowfall over hilly areas, in several parts of the country during the next 24 hours.
According to the PMD, rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, with snowfall in higher elevations, is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, northeast Punjab and northeast Balochistan.
The department said heavy rain with moderate to heavy snowfall may occur at isolated locations in Kashmir and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while cold and dry weather is likely to prevail in most other parts of the country.
A weather advisory warned that snowfall could lead to road blockages and slippery conditions in mountainous and hilly areas, including Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai and Zhob between January 26 and 27.
The PMD also cautioned about the risk of landslides and avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, advising tourists and commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise caution.
In Islamabad, cloudy conditions with intermittent rain and wind-thunderstorms are expected.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, widespread rain with snowfall over hills is forecast, with heavy rain and moderate to heavy snowfall likely in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra and Abbottabad.
In Punjab, rain with wind and thunderstorms is expected in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock, while Murree and Galliyat may receive rain along with moderate to heavy snowfall.
Most parts of Sindh are expected to remain cold and dry.
In Balochistan, cold and dry weather will persist in most districts, while isolated rain, thunderstorms and snowfall are likely in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi and Loralai.
Intermittent rain and snowfall is also expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, with heavy rain and moderate to heavy snowfall likely in Astore, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli and Jhelum Valley.
