Snowfall continued across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday as a shallow westerly wave brought extremely cold weather to the region.
In Skardu, heavy snowfall blanketed urban areas and surrounding mountains with three to five inches of snow. The severe cold dropped the city’s temperature to minus eight degrees Celsius, while mountainous areas recorded lows of around minus 13 degrees.
Snow also fell in Swat, covering trees and roads and intensifying winter conditions. The snowfall disrupted routine life in several upper areas as residents faced freezing temperatures and travel difficulties.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that the westerly wave entered the upper parts of the country on January 16 and will continue until January 19. The weather system is expected to strengthen from January 20 and affect most regions of Pakistan from January 21.
The Met Office forecast rain with thunderstorms and light to moderate snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the coming days. It also predicted light rain and snowfall in Murree, Galliyat, and nearby areas from January 18 to January 20.
Authorities have advised residents and travelers to remain cautious due to slippery roads, reduced visibility, and extreme cold conditions.
