Rain and Snowfall in Pakistan: PMD Forecasts Wet Weather in Several Areas

Rain and snowfall are expected in several parts of Pakistan, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department, known as PMD, forecasting rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds in the north and in Balochistan, while most plain areas are expected to stay dry. The Met Office says upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and several districts of Balochistan may receive rain, and snowfall is expected in mountainous areas.

The rain and snowfall forecast comes as winter begins to set in across the country. In the plains, the weather will stay mostly dry, but in the hills, cold nights have already arrived, and the first snow of the season is expected on the higher mountains. The PMD has advised residents to remain cautious in areas likely to experience strong winds, thunderstorms, rain and snowfall.

Rain and Snowfall: Where It Is Expected

The rain and snowfall will mainly affect the northern and northwestern parts of the country. According to the Met Office, most parts of the country will remain dry, but upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and several districts of Balochistan may receive rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, and snowfall is also expected in mountainous areas.

In Punjab, most districts are expected to remain dry, but light rainfall is likely in Murree, Galiyat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa, Bhakkar, Layyah, Khushab, Sargodha and surrounding areas. In Sindh, all districts are likely to experience dry weather, with relatively warmer conditions during the daytime. In Balochistan, dry weather is expected in most districts, although partly cloudy conditions may prevail in northern areas, and Quetta and other northern districts will experience cooler conditions during the morning and night.

The PMD's monthly climate outlook for November 2026 adds context to this forecast. It expects above-normal rainfall across much of the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwestern Punjab and parts of Kashmir. Central Punjab and Balochistan are likely to record near-normal precipitation, while Sindh, southern Balochistan and a few districts of southern Punjab may receive slightly below-normal rainfall. Temperatures are expected to remain above average nationwide, with the sharpest increases in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Rain and Snowfall: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the North

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain is likely in Peshawar, Kohat, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Kurram and Bajaur, and the affected areas may experience strong winds and thunderstorms. The Met Office has also forecast light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and light snowfall over the mountains in Shangla, Battagram, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Mohmand and Orakzai, so the rain and snowfall will cover most of the upper districts of the province.

Parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are expected to receive rainfall, while snowfall is likely in higher-altitude areas. In Gilgit-Baltistan, the mountainous areas are expected to experience cold weather, with chances of light snowfall at higher elevations. In Islamabad and surrounding areas, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions are expected, with chances of drizzle during the morning hours.

The northern areas are where the rain and snowfall will be heaviest, and that is also where the cold has already set in. Travellers heading to the hills should check the latest forecast before leaving, because rain and snowfall on mountain roads can make driving dangerous, and strong winds can bring down trees and power lines.

Rain and Snowfall: Balochistan and Punjab

In Balochistan, the Met Office has forecast rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Zhob, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kalat, Dalbandin, Barkhan, Musakhel, Nokundi and Khuzdar, and light snowfall is also expected in higher mountainous areas. Most other districts of Balochistan will stay dry, with partly cloudy conditions in the north.

The minimum temperatures recorded in Balochistan show how cold the north of the province has already become. Quetta recorded 9 degrees Celsius, Kalat 4 degrees, Ziarat 6 degrees, Zhob 11 degrees, Chaman 12 degrees, Gwadar 17 degrees, Sibi 19 degrees, Nokundi 19 degrees, Turbat 20 degrees and Jiwani 20 degrees. Kalat, at 4 degrees, was the coldest place in the province.

In Punjab, the rain and snowfall will be limited to the hills and the southwestern districts. Light rainfall is likely in Murree, Galiyat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa, Bhakkar, Layyah, Khushab and Sargodha, while most other districts, including Lahore, will stay dry. The PMD has also flagged the possibility of fog in southern Punjab and smog across the plains, as dry and cool nights create favourable conditions for fog, particularly in southern Punjab, Sindh and adjoining areas of Balochistan.

Rain and Snowfall: The Westerly Wave from November 9

The rain and snowfall in the coming days will be driven by a westerly wave, a system of moist winds from the west that brings rain to Pakistan in winter. According to the PMD's video forecast on November 7, dry weather will prevail across most of Pakistan on November 7 and 8, with cold nights in northern hilly areas, but from November 9, a westerly wave will affect the upper parts of the country, bringing rain and snowfall to Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Bahawalpur through November 10.

The PMD's weekly outlook, issued on November 5, says the rain will intensify from November 11 to 13, with rain in North Punjab, Murree and Galiyat, Pothohar, Hazara, Kashmir and northeastern Balochistan. Some areas may receive 4 to 5 millimetres of rain, and hilly areas may receive 15 to 20 millimetres, with snowfall possible in the high mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan. On November 10, there may also be rain and hailstorms in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

Farmers should note the forecast carefully. The rain and snowfall in the north will help the Rabi crop in rain-fed areas, but the rainfall deficit expected in Sindh, southern Punjab and southern Balochistan could put pressure on water availability for irrigation and disrupt the sowing of Rabi crops. The PMD has also warned that above-normal temperatures could prolong the dengue season, particularly in southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, where conditions favourable for mosquito breeding may persist.

Rain and Snowfall: Temperatures and Safety Advice

The weather department has advised residents to remain cautious in areas likely to experience strong winds, thunderstorms, rain and snowfall. People in the northern areas should avoid unnecessary travel during the rain and snowfall, and those who must travel should carry warm clothing, food and water, and keep their mobile phones charged.

In the plains, the main concern is not the rain and snowfall but the fog and smog that follow dry, cool nights. Drivers should use fog lights, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and avoid travelling at night when visibility is low. In Lahore and other cities, the smog has already pushed air quality into the unhealthy range, and the PMD has flagged smog across the country's plains amid deteriorating air quality.

Weather forecasts can change, so readers should follow the latest PMD updates for confirmation. The PMD publishes its forecasts on its website, www.weather.gov.pk, and on its official social media pages. The next update will show whether the westerly wave arrives on schedule and how much rain and snowfall it brings.

Rain and Snowfall: Frequently Asked Questions

Where is rain and snowfall expected in Pakistan? Rain and snowfall are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and northeastern Balochistan, with light rain also likely in Murree, Galiyat and parts of southwestern Punjab. Most plain areas will stay dry.

When will the rain and snowfall arrive? Dry weather will prevail on November 7 and 8, but a westerly wave will affect the upper parts of the country from November 9, bringing rain and snowfall through November 10, with rain intensifying from November 11 to 13.

Which districts will get rain and snowfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa? Rain is likely in Peshawar, Kohat, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Kurram and Bajaur, with light snowfall over the mountains in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram and Mansehra.

Will it rain in Lahore or Karachi? No rain is expected in Karachi, where all districts of Sindh will stay dry. Lahore may receive rain from November 9, when the westerly wave reaches the upper parts of the country, but the plains are expected to stay mostly dry.

What are the coldest places in Balochistan right now? Kalat recorded a minimum of 4 degrees Celsius, Ziarat 6 degrees and Quetta 9 degrees, making them the coldest places in the province. Turbat and Jiwani recorded 20 degrees.