ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that a shallow westerly wave is likely to approach the western and northern parts of the country from the night of January 30, 2026, and may persist until February 3, 2026.
Under its influence, mainly cloudy weather with light to moderate rain—along with light to moderate snowfall over mountainous areas—is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, and adjoining regions during the period.
According to PMD, light to moderate rain and snowfall over the hills is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as in Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnuti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from January 31 to February 3, 2026, with occasional breaks.
Parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Kohat, Kurram and Waziristan—are also likely to receive light to moderate rain during the same period.
Light rain is expected in Islamabad, the Potohar region, and parts of Punjab, including Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala and surrounding areas, from February 1 to 3, 2026, with intermittent gaps. Light rain or snowfall is also likely in Murree, Galliyat and adjoining areas during the forecast period.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rain with gusty winds and snowfall is expected over northern parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki and Harnai, from January 31 to February 1, 2026.
PMD has cautioned that snowfall may lead to slippery road conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh and Haveli from February 1 to 3, 2026. Similar conditions may prevail in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai and Zhob on January 31 and February 1.
The Met Office has also warned of the possibility of landslides and avalanches in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the forecast period.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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