QUETTA: A westerly weather system is likely to enter the country starting today, potentially bringing intermittent rainfall to various cities over the coming days.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain in 23 districts of Balochistan from today until December 31.
Rain is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Qilla Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, and Musakhel.
Similar predictions have been issued for Kech, Gwadar, Lasbela, Awaran, Chagai, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk, and Kharan.
Under the influence of this westerly system, snowfall is anticipated in the northern regions.
Meanwhile, from December 30 to January 1, intermittent rain accompanied by strong winds is possible in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Swabi, and Kohat, with moderate to heavy snowfall expected in the upper areas.
From December 30 to January 2, rain and snowfall may occur in the Gilgit-Baltistan regions of Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, and Shigar.
Intermittent rainfall and moderate snowfall have also been forecast for Kashmir.
As of late December 2025, a significant westerly weather system is entering Pakistan, bringing the main spell of winter rains and snowfall from December 29 night through January 2, 2026.
This system starts in western and northern Balochistan with rain and thunderstorms, then spreads to upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Punjab plains including Islamabad and Lahore, and even light drizzle in parts of Sindh like Karachi. Northern hilly areas such as Murree, Swat, Hunza, and Skardu are set for fresh snowfall, attracting tourists during the New Year holidays while also raising risks of landslides and avalanches.
The rains help clear persistent fog and smog in the plains, recharge soil moisture, and drop temperatures further for a sharper winter chill.
However, slippery roads, potential urban flooding in low-lying areas, and disruptions in vulnerable structures from winds remain concerns, especially in Quetta and other Balochistan districts.
nfluenced by ongoing La Niña conditions, the overall winter season (December to February) is expected to feature slightly below-normal rainfall and mildly warmer-than-usual temperatures in many areas, making this current spell a notable but relatively short-lived event in an otherwise drier winter.
