Snowfall expected upcountry

Pakistan's picturesque northern valleys and hill stations are set to receive a generous spell of fresh snowfall just in time for New Year celebrations, offering thousands of winter vacationers the perfect backdrop for their holiday getaways.

As families take advantage of winter school holidays and office workers utilise their remaining annual leave before year-end expiry, tourists from across the country have flocked to scenic mountainous regions to experience snowfall along with celebrating the arrival of 2026.

The PMD has forecast widespread rain and snowfall that will blanket popular tourist destinations from December 30 through January 2, 2026, creating ideal conditions for those who have planned their vacations specifically to witness the magic of winter in destinations like Murree, Swat, Hunza, Naran and Kashmir valleys at this time.

The National Weather Forecasting Centre, PMD announced that a westerly wave is likely to approach the western parts of Pakistan from the night of December 29, and is expected to strengthen from December 30.

This weather system is anticipated to grip most upper and central parts of the country on December 31, and will persist in upper regions until the morning of January 2, 2026.