ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): Pakistan is set to experience widespread cold and partly cloudy conditions on Tuesday, with meteorological authorities issuing continued warnings about moderate to dense fog and smog affecting major population centers across Punjab, upper Sindh, and the plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The persistent fog conditions, which have disrupted daily life and transportation in recent days, show no signs of immediate relief.
The federal capital along with its surrounding areas, will see partly cloudy skies with cold temperatures persisting throughout the day.
The residents are advised to dress warmly as the mercury remains low across the region.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, most districts will face cold and partly cloudy weather, though northern areas including Chitral, Dir, and Kohistan may experience cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers. Light snowfall is expected over mountainous regions in these areas. Morning and night time fog development is anticipated in several districts including Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, and Dera Ismail Khan, potentially affecting visibility and morning commutes.
Punjab remains under the heaviest fog advisory, with moderate to dense fog and smog conditions expected to persist across a wide swath of the province. Major urban centers and their surrounding areas are particularly affected, including Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujarat, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Khanewal, Khanpur, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Rajanpur.
The hill stations of Murree and Galiyat will continue to experience cold and partly cloudy weather. Motorists and commuters are urged to exercise extreme caution during travel, particularly during early morning and late evening hours when fog is at its densest.
Sindh province will see predominantly dry weather across most districts, though temperatures will drop significantly during morning and nighttime hours. Fog conditions are forecast to continue affecting northern Sindh, particularly in Sukkur, Rohri, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Larkana, Mohenjo Daro, and their surrounding areas during morning and nighttime hours, potentially disrupting transportation and outdoor activities.
Balochistan will experience cold and partly cloudy weather throughout most of its districts, with temperatures remaining low as the winter season continues its grip on the province.
The northern regions of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan present a mixed weather picture. Gilgit-Baltistan is likely to see cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers, while light snowfall is expected over mountainous areas, adding to the existing winter accumulation. Kashmir will experience partly cloudy skies with cold temperatures prevailing across the region.
Looking at the previous 24-hour period, cold and partly cloudy weather dominated most parts of the country. Light rainfall was recorded at isolated locations in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with both Chitral and Kalam receiving minimal
precipitation of 1mm each. The fog and smog conditions that have become characteristic of this winter season continued to affect the plain areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Sindh, causing reduced visibility and challenging conditions for travelers.
The temperature recordings from across the country highlighted the severity of the cold conditions. The lowest minimum temperatures were recorded in northern and mountainous regions, with Gupis experiencing the coldest conditions at -3C, followed by Leh at -2C, Skardu at -1C, and both Rawalakot and Parachinar at 0C. These sub-zero temperatures underscore the intensity of the winter conditions affecting the higher altitude areas.
Major cities across Pakistan experienced varying temperature ranges. The capital city of Islamabad saw temperatures ranging from a minimum of 6C to a maximum of 23C. Lahore, the cultural heart of Punjab, recorded similar conditions with temperatures between 8C and 23C. The coastal metropolis of Karachi enjoyed relatively warmer conditions, with temperatures ranging from 14C to 29C, benefiting from its proximity to the Arabian Sea. Peshawar experienced temperatures between 7C and 23C, while Quetta recorded a range of 5C to 22C.
The northern areas and Kashmir region experienced colder conditions overall. Gilgit saw temperatures between 4C and 17C, while Muzaffarabad ranged from 5°C to 18C. Skardu, known for its harsh winter conditions, recorded temperatures from -1C to 12C. The popular hill station of Murree experienced temperatures between 3C and 15C. The other major cities including Faisalabad recorded 9C to 21C, while Multan saw a narrower range of 10C to 17C.
In the Kashmir region, Srinagar recorded temperatures between 2C and 14C, Jammu ranged from 11C to 24C, and Leh experienced the coldest conditions at -2C to 8C. Other Kashmir districts including Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, and Baramulla all recorded minimum temperatures around 2-3C with maximums ranging between 12C and 14C.
The authorities have advised residents across affected regions to take necessary precautions against the cold weather, particularly vulnerable populations including children, elderly citizens, and those with respiratory conditions.
The persistent fog conditions pose significant risks to road transportation, and drivers are being urged to use fog lights, maintain safe distances, reduce speed, and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of poor visibility. The fog has historically led to traffic accidents and flight delays, making vigilance essential during this period.
As winter continues to tighten its grip on Pakistan, these weather patterns are expected to persist in the coming days, with the fog conditions likely to remain a challenge for daily commuters and transportation networks across the affected provinces.
