As the winter season approaches, Pakistan is preparing for a chilling spell, anticipated to commence after October 17. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicts that snowfall in mountainous regions and rain in various parts of the country will trigger the onset of this cold wave.

According to a weather advisory issued by the Met Office, a westerly system is set to enter the upper parts of Pakistan on the evening of October 13 and then expand into the upper and central regions by the night of October 14.

This weather pattern will usher in intermittent rain, accompanied by wind thunderstorms, with moderate isolated downpours. The areas expected to experience this weather phenomenon include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Swabi, Khyber, Mohmand, Bajaur, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, Orakzai, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Waziristan, and Dera Ismail Khan. This pattern is expected to persist from the evening of October 13 until October 17.

Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) regions will also share a similar forecast. These areas can anticipate moderate to isolated heavy precipitation, with Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar areas of Gilgit Baltistan all affected. This weather pattern will persist during the same period, ushering in the winter season across Pakistan.