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Tag: Weather

  • Rain Brings Smog Relief to Lahore as AQI Drops to 111

    Rain Brings Smog Relief to Lahore as AQI Drops to 111

    Rain and drizzle in several cities across Pakistan have brought some relief from smog in Lahore, reducing the city’s average Air Quality Index to 111, while the first winter rainfall and snowfall in the northern areas have intensified the cold weather, according to the Meteorological Department.

    According to Dunya News, winds blowing since last evening and light rain in different areas of Lahore have contributed to a slight improvement in air quality. The provincial capital is expected to remain cloudy on Friday, with chances of light drizzle at scattered places during different parts of the day.

    Weather data shows that Lahore’s maximum temperature is expected to reach 29 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is likely to remain at 17 degrees Celsius. Humidity has been recorded at 70 per cent, with winds blowing at a speed of five kilometres per hour.

    The improvement came a day after Delhi overtook Lahore as the world’s most polluted major city, with air quality in the Indian capital reaching hazardous levels. Lahore had ranked as the most polluted major city in the world for several days in a row before Friday’s rain brought the readings down, Dawn reported.

    However, the air pollution situation in Bahawalpur remains extremely alarming, with the city’s Air Quality Index reaching 520, Dunya News reported. Residents, particularly those suffering from asthma and other respiratory conditions, have been advised to remain cautious despite the improvement in Lahore.

    Meanwhile, the first winter rainfall and snowfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan have brought a sharp drop in temperatures, making the weather extremely cold. Heavy snowfall at Babusar Top has forced the closure of roads beyond Baisar, leaving two oil tankers stranded due to adverse weather conditions.

    Snowfall has also been reported in the mountains of Upper Hunza and at the Khunjerab Pass. The Meteorological Department has forecast further rain and snowfall across the country over the next 24 hours, and officials say the improvement in Lahore’s air quality may be temporary, as readings can change with wind direction and atmospheric conditions.

  • Rain and Snow to Lash Jammu and Kashmir for Two Days

    Rain and Snow to Lash Jammu and Kashmir for Two Days

    Jammu and Kashmir is set for two days of unsettled weather, with rain in the plains and snow over the higher reaches on 12 and 13 November, according to the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar. The forecast points to moderate to heavy falls at a few places, and the heaviest weather is expected towards the night of 12 November and the early hours of 13 November.

    The wet spell is likely to cover most parts of the region during the two days. Snowfall is expected over the higher reaches and the important mountain passes, where it could temporarily slow traffic and break road links along key routes. Thunderstorms and lightning are also possible, along with gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour at scattered places.

    Snow already dusts the high passes

    The change in weather has already begun in the mountains. Fresh snow was reported on Wednesday at Zojila Pass, Sonamarg, Minamarg and Gumri, while light snow also fell in Bandipora, Kangdori in Gulmarg and Drass, and light rain lashed parts of the plains. Despite the snowfall, traffic on the Srinagar-Leh highway continued without disruption, with vehicles moving from Sonamarg towards Kargil, though slippery conditions developed on parts of Zojila Pass.

    Daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 6 to 8 degrees Celsius during the wet spell on 12 and 13 November, adding a sharp chill to the air across the region.

    The Bandipora district administration has issued an advisory for tourists, travellers, examination aspirants and the general public in view of the forecast and the chance of road closures in far-flung areas. Gurez has been declared out of bounds for tourists for now, and visitors staying there have been advised to plan their departure immediately in consultation with the District Control Room.

    Farmers have also been advised to store their harvested crops and produce safely before the rain and snow arrive, so the wet weather does not damage what has already been gathered from the fields.

    After the two-day spell, the weather is expected to settle down. Conditions are likely to remain generally dry from 14 to 20 November, although brief spells of rain may still occur on 14 and 15 November. Travellers heading towards the higher reaches over the next two days have been advised to check the road position before setting out and to allow extra time for their journeys.

  • Kashmir snowfall: Gulmarg, Sonamarg get fresh snow Oct 14

    Kashmir snowfall: Gulmarg, Sonamarg get fresh snow Oct 14

    An active Western Disturbance swept across Jammu and Kashmir overnight, dumping fresh snowfall on the higher reaches while rain lashed the plains, including Srinagar, officials said on Wednesday.

    The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecast unsettled weather over the Union Territory for the next two days, with the possibility of rainfall, snowfall and thunderstorms at several places, according to Kashmir News Service (KNS), which reported the development on October 14.

    Officials said light to moderate snowfall was recorded in the higher reaches overnight, covering the popular tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Sonamarg, as well as the Zojila axis and Pahalgam. The season’s early snowfall is expected to draw attention to the region’s autumn tourism calendar, which traditionally peaks as the famous chinar trees turn gold and crimson.

    Fresh snowfall was also reported from the Tulail region of the Gurez Valley and the Razdan Pass in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, officials said. Both are high-altitude areas that remain snowbound for much of the winter, and the early snow is seen as the first sign of the approaching winter season in the Valley.

    Advisory for travellers and farmers

    Travellers have been advised to exercise caution and check the latest road conditions before beginning their journeys, particularly on mountain routes where snowfall and adverse weather could affect traffic. Transporters operating on higher reaches have been asked to remain alert, and people have been urged to follow official traffic advisories and take precautions during thunderstorms and gusty winds.

    According to the forecast, light to moderate rain is likely at many places between October 13 and 15, while the higher reaches may receive light snowfall. Thunderstorms and hailstorms are also possible at isolated locations during this period, officials said.

    The weather is expected to improve from October 16, although a brief spell of light rain cannot be ruled out at isolated places. Generally dry conditions are likely to prevail from October 17 to October 24, according to the forecast.

    Apple harvest at a crucial stage

    In view of the expected weather conditions, farmers have been advised to ensure the safe storage of harvested apples, paddy and other crops during October 13 to 15 to minimise possible losses, as moisture and hailstorms can damage produce left in the open.

    The timing is significant because the Valley’s apple harvest, one of the most important horticultural seasons of the year, is currently under way, and growers in many areas have still not moved their produce to safe storage.

  • Mirpur Weather Today: Hazy Sunshine, High of 32°C

    Mirpur Weather Today: Hazy Sunshine, High of 32°C

    MIRPUR: Residents of Mirpur woke up to smoky haze on Monday morning as the city braces for another warm October day, with the mercury expected to touch 32°C, according to the latest forecast.

    Data shows the day began with smoky haze and a temperature of around 22°C in the early hours, with humidity at 52 per cent. Skies are expected to clear by mid-morning, turning sunny through the afternoon, when temperatures will peak at 32°C with humidity dropping to about 30 per cent. Winds will remain light at around 12 kilometres per hour.

    By evening, haze is expected to return, with temperatures settling around 27°C. Overnight lows will hover near 25°C. There is virtually no chance of rain today, with precipitation recorded at 0.0mm and cloud cover at just 2 per cent.

    Sunrise was at 6:30 am while sunset is expected at 6:13 pm, giving residents slightly under 12 hours of daylight.

    Week ahead

    The outlook for Tuesday, October 6, is similar — smoky haze with a high of 32°C and a low of 23°C, though a spell of light rain (around 1.3mm) is possible later in the day with winds picking up to 17 kilometres per hour.

    Wednesday, October 7, may bring a change in pattern, with sunny intervals, a high of 31°C and a low of 21°C, and a higher chance of showers amounting to about 2.1mm of rain. Humidity is expected to rise to 53 per cent.

    Thursday and Friday are forecast to stay mostly sunny with highs of 31–32°C and only a slight chance of rain.

    Mirpur has a temperate climate, and October typically marks the transition from the hot summer months towards cooler winter weather. Based on 15 years of historical data, annual rainfall in the region averages 938mm spread across 72 rainy days.

    Health experts advise residents to stay hydrated during the warm afternoon hours, limit strenuous outdoor activity at peak heat, and take precautions against dust and haze, particularly the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

    Through the rest of the week, daytime highs are expected to remain near 30–32°C with overnight lows between 20–23°C, while wind speeds stay between 12 and 17 kilometres per hour and atmospheric pressure hovers around 1010 to 1014 millibars. No prolonged wet spell is in sight, with only brief showers possible around midweek.