Mercury drops as Lahore receives intermittent winter showers; PMD warns of heavy rain, snow in north

Authorities caution ongoing weather system can trigger flash flooding in local streams across upper K-P, GB, AJK

The mercury dropped further in Lahore after the season’s first winter rain on Thursday with intermittent showers and a cold breeze while weather authorities issued a red alert for heavy rains and snowfall in northern parts of the country.

Rainfall began in several Lahore neighbourhoods, including Johar Town, Jail Road, Mall Road, Shadman, Qurtaba Chowk, and near the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Light showers and drizzle were also reported in Township and Green Town, while the city remained overcast with gusty winds, intensifying the winter chill.

لاہور میں بارش کے ساتھ ژالہ باری
Lahore Heavy rain#lahore#LahoreRain

#جینے_دو_کراچی_کو pic.twitter.com/SoPeewVBFk

— Sumair jamil (@sumair_shah123) January 22, 2026

 

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that heavy rain and snowfall may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in mountainous regions, including Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, and parts of Azad Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, and Rawalakot.

Winter's rain in #karachi#karachirain #Rain pic.twitter.com/b3wsM138hc

— Arman Sabir (@ArmanSabir) January 22, 2026

Authorities cautioned that the ongoing weather system could trigger flash flooding in local streams and nullahs across upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The risk of landslides and avalanches remains high in many areas. Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise extreme caution.

According to the PMD, a strong westerly wave is affecting most parts of the country and is expected to persist in upper regions. Widespread intermittent rain, wind, and thunderstorms — with snowfall over hills — are forecast for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, and upper and central Punjab. Moderate to heavy rain and snow may occur in higher elevations.

Cold and dry weather is likely to prevail in other parts of the country.

Over the past 24 hours, scattered rain and thunderstorms were recorded in K-P, Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Significant rainfall was reported in Parachinar (88 millimetres), Jacobabad and Sukkur (10mm each), Khuzdar (12mm) and Bhakkar (9mm). Snowfall of up to two inches was recorded in Kalam, Quetta, and Parachinar.

The coldest temperatures recorded included minus 11 degrees Celsius in Leh, minus 5 degrees in Gupis, Skardu, Bagrote, and Parachinar, and minus 4 degrees in Kalam.