New Weather System Brings Rain and Snowfall Across Pakistan in Early January 2025

New Weather System Brings Rain and Snowfall Across Pakistan in Early January 2025

Islamabad, January 11, 2025 — Pakistan has experienced a significant weather shift in the first week of January 2025, as a new westerly system brought widespread rain and heavy snowfall to various regions. This development follows forecasts by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which had predicted such conditions due to the negative phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the transition of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) to a neutral state. 

Weather System Overview

The PMD reported that the westerly weather system entered Pakistan between January 1 and 6, 2025, affecting multiple areas:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): Regions including Dir, Swat, Shangla, and Mohmand experienced heavy snowfall and rain from January 1 to 5. Other areas like Nowshera, Swabi, Karak, Bannu, and Kohat saw light rainfall and snowfall. 

Murree and Galiyat: These popular hill stations witnessed intermittent snowfall throughout the period, impacting travel and tourism. 

Punjab: Islamabad, Pothohar, Sargodha, and central regions received rain from January 2 to 6, while southern Punjab experienced intermittent showers during the same timeframe. 

Balochistan: Areas such as Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Chagai, Nushki, Kalat, and Harnai faced rain and snowfall between January 1 and 4. 

Sindh: Upper Sindh regions, including Dadu, Sukkur, and Jacobabad, witnessed light rain and thunderstorms on January 3 and 4. 

Impacts and Advisories

The inclement weather led to several challenges across the country:

Road Closures: Heavy snowfall in mountainous areas resulted in road blockages, particularly in northern regions and hill stations like Murree and Galiyat. Authorities advised residents and tourists to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel. 

Agricultural Effects: The rainfall proved beneficial for Rabi crops in rain-fed zones of Punjab and KP, enhancing soil moisture and supporting crop growth. However, near-normal to slightly below-normal rainfall in southern parts, coupled with above-normal daytime temperatures, did not significantly improve soil moisture levels, potentially affecting crop development. 

Energy Sector: The increased inflow into reservoirs due to rainfall in upper areas is expected to support hydropower generation. However, elevated temperatures may increase electricity demand, potentially straining energy resources, particularly in regions dependent on hydropower. 

Future Outlook

Following this weather event, the PMD forecasts that mean temperatures are expected to remain above normal nationwide, with significant departures in Kashmir and adjoining areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This trend may reduce the risk of frost, which could be beneficial for the vegetative stages of Rabi crops. 

Additionally, the PMD has indicated that the negative phase of ENSO is expected to persist, and the IOD is returning to a neutral phase. These climatic conditions are likely to influence regional weather patterns, potentially leading to near-normal rainfall across Pakistan during January 2025. 

Conclusion

The early January weather system brought much-needed precipitation to various parts of Pakistan, alleviating dry conditions and supporting agricultural activities. However, it also posed challenges in terms of transportation and energy demand. Residents are advised to stay updated with PMD forecasts and take necessary precautions during such weather events.

*For more detailed and updated weather information, please refer to the Pakistan Meteorological Department's official website or trusted news sources.*