Rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms are expected across Pakistan until 14 November, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast, as a westerly weather system moves into the country. The shallow westerly wave was due to enter the western and northern regions on the evening of Tuesday, 10 November, strengthen on 12 November and remain active over the upper parts of the country until the morning of 14 November.

Daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during the wet spell, and fog may develop at scattered locations across the plains once the system moves away. The Met Office has advised farmers to adjust their agricultural activities in line with the expected weather.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the north

Several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to receive rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy showers and hailstorms, from the evening of 10 November until the morning of 14 November. The affected areas include Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and North and South Waziristan, with snowfall expected in mountainous areas.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued an alert for the province and advised tourists and travellers to take care on mountain roads during the spell. Light snowfall is also expected over high mountains and glaciers.

Various parts of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to receive rain, strong winds and thunderstorms from 10 November until the afternoon of 14 November, with occasional breaks, and snowfall is likely in hilly and mountainous areas.

Punjab and Islamabad

Light rain and thunderstorms are likely in Islamabad, the Potohar region, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Sargodha and Murree on Tuesday night. More rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, the Galiyat region and several other districts, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Jhelum, Chakwal and Sheikhupura, on 12 and 13 November.

Rain is also forecast for Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bhakkar and Multan on 12 November, and isolated hailstorms may occur in some areas during this period. The 12 and 13 November are expected to be the wettest days for Punjab and the federal capital.

Balochistan and Sindh

Most parts of Balochistan are expected to stay dry, although isolated rain, thunderstorms and hailstorms may occur in Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kalat and Khuzdar during the night of 11 November and on 12 November.

Mainly dry weather is expected to continue across most districts of Sindh, with no significant rainfall forecast for the province during the spell.

People planning travel in the northern areas over the coming days should check the latest forecast before setting out, as conditions are expected to change through the week and heavy rain could affect mountain routes.

Sources: Daily Magazine and PK Revenue.