North teases Lahoris with snow forecast

As people flock to scenic north, weatherman warns of travel risks

LAHORE:

A snowfall forecast for the country's northern region has added a seasonal charm to winter tourism as schools across Punjab are closed for seasonal vacations, prompting families and travel groups to plan trips to the hills.

The outlook has generated excitement among tourists and tour operators, who see the weather as an opportunity to revive travel activities.

At the same time, authorities are urging caution, warning that the same system could trigger landslides, avalanches and road closures in vulnerable mountainous areas.

In its advisory issued on Wednesday evening, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said a westerly weather system is affecting western and upper parts of the country and is expected to persist over the next 12 to 18 hours. The department forecast rain and thunderstorms, with snowfall over hilly terrain, across upper and central Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Islamabad.

According to the PMD, snowfall during the night and on January 1 may lead to slippery roads and temporary closures in popular tourist destinations, including Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree and the Galliyat. Similar conditions are expected in Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli, where the risk of landslides and avalanches has increased.

Tour operators say the forecast has stirred interest among holidaymakers, particularly families from Punjab and Sindh taking advantage of the school break.

"With schools closed for winter vacations in Punjab, families are increasingly opting for short, guided trips to destinations such as Swat, Kalam and Malam Jabba, where snowfall and chairlift access add to the seasonal draw," a tour operator involved in northern travel circuits said.

"There is a growing preference for fixed-schedule winter tours covering Shogran, Kashmir and Hunza, as travellers look for packages that include transport, accommodation and basic safety arrangements amid changing weather conditions," a representative of an adventure tourism company noted.

Officials, however, urge caution, warning that sudden shifts in mountain weather can quickly disrupt road access and create safety risks for travellers.

The PMD said fog, which has disrupted transport in recent days, is likely to subside in central and South Punjab and upper Sindh during the wet spell, offering some relief to commuters in the plains.

For Thursday, the department has forecast mainly cold and dry weather in most parts of the country, with isolated rain and snowfall expected in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, the Pothohar region, northeast Punjab and Islamabad.

Over the past 24 hours, rain and thunderstorms were reported at scattered locations in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and upper and South Punjab, while snowfall was recorded in high-altitude areas, including Kalam, Ziarat and Malam Jabba. Cold and partly cloudy conditions prevailed elsewhere.

Weather officials advised tourists and local residents to stay updated on forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel in high-risk zones and follow instructions issued by local administrations.