KEY POINTS
- Snowfall in northern mountains and rainfall in plains is causing a nationwide cold wave.
- PMD warns of major hazards, including road disruptions, flash flooding, and landslides.
- Disaster management authorities have mobilised resources for relief activities.
- Severe weather system is expected to persist.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is grappling with a severe cold wave as heavy snowfall blankets northern mountains of the country and widespread winter rains lash the plains.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued warnings that these conditions will cause a sharp temperature drop, widespread disruptions, and a severe cold wave in the days ahead, impacting all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
ہفتہ وار موسم کی صورتحال (22 تا 28 جنوری 2026)
پاکستان میں بارشوں کے نئے سلسلے کا آغاز.
پاکستان محکمۂ موسمیات کی جانب سے جاری کردہ مستند موسمی معلومات سے باخبر رہیں۔ #بارشیں #موسمی_صورتحال #پاکستان_موسم #محکمہ_موسمیات #سردیوں_کی_بارش #جنوری pic.twitter.com/yjS50M8Ykk— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) January 22, 2026
Impact across different parts
The active weather pattern is producing varied conditions nationwide. Heavy to moderate rain with thunderstorms is expected to continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, and Sindh.
Balochistan is experiencing rain in its northeastern parts and snowfall in its western and central highlands, including Ziarat, Quetta, and Kan Mehtarzai.
The most significant snowfall is occurring in the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir, with the weather department reports of up to 1.5 feet of accumulation in some areas.
Meteorological Department Director General Mehr Sahibzada Khan stated that the system is impacting both northern and low-lying regions.
“Rainfall is expected to ease the dense fog in several plains, improving visibility. However, the overall cold will intensify as temperatures plummet across the country,” he cautioned.
🌨️ PMD Tourist Weather Update – 22 Jan 2026
Moderate to heavy snowfall expected Fri–Tue in northern tourist areas (Murree, Hunza, Skardu, Kaghan).
⚠️ Risk of road closure & landslides — travel carefully!#PMD #NWFC #Snowfall #PakistanWeather #TouristWeather #Winter2026 pic.twitter.com/L5LNZTa6ZZ— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) January 22, 2026
Critical warnings issued
The PMD has flagged several major hazards:
Travel disruptions: Heavy snow may cause road closures and slippery conditions in numerous tourist and hilly areas, including Naran, Kaghan, Swat, Murree, Galliyat, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, and Neelum Valley.
Flash flooding & landslides: There is a risk of flash flooding in local streams of upper KP, GB, and Kashmir, alongside possible landslides and avalanches in vulnerable hilly areas.
Public advisory: Tourists and the general public are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.
Provincial responses and conditions
Authorities are mobilising in response to the severe weather. In Balochistan, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has deployed rescue teams and machinery to clear blocked highways, such as the one in Muslim Bagh affected by landslides.
PDMA Director General Jahanzeb Khan confirmed that relief materials have been prepositioned and all staff leave has been cancelled to ensure full readiness.
Temperatures have plunged sharply, with Leh recording -11°C and Quetta city dipping to -1°C.
The first snowfall of the season in areas like Mastung and continued snowfall in Chaman, where temperatures have fallen to -1°C with 10-inch accumulations, marks a severe start to the winter spell.
Strong Westerly Wave Brings Widespread Rain, Snowfall Across Pakistan | Weather Update – 22 January 2026.#WeatherUpdate #PakistanWeather #Rain #Snowfall #WesterlyWave #PMD #موسم #بارش #برفباری #پاکستان #محکمہ_موسمیات pic.twitter.com/IEQyrCHvpu
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) January 22, 2026
Weather forecast
The system is predicted to persist in the upper parts until Friday, with rain/wind-thunderstorms (and snowfall over hills) continuing in upper KP, Kashmir, GB, Islamabad, and upper Punjab.
A subsequent weather system is likely to enter the country in the coming days, potentially prolonging the cold, wet conditions.
The Met Office has warned that temperatures in the federal capital could drop near freezing point, underscoring the need for public preparedness as the cold wave tightens its grip across the nation.
