Rain and Snow Are Coming to Northern Pakistan: What the PMD Forecast Means for You

November 11, 2026 Faizan Altaf

Rain, thunderstorms and snow are on the way to northern Pakistan. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a wet spell across the upper parts of the country from today, Wednesday 11 November, until the morning of Saturday 14 November, as a westerly weather system moves in from the west.

The rain will reach the plains too. Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and many other cities are in line for rain over the next three days, and daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. In the mountains, the rain will turn to snow.

This article explains what the forecast says, which areas will be affected and when, and what you should do to stay safe.

What is happening

The cause of the change is a shallow westerly wave — a band of moist air moving in from the west — that approached the western and northern parts of Pakistan on the evening of Tuesday 10 November. The PMD says the system is likely to grow stronger on Thursday 12 November and may keep affecting the upper parts of the country until the morning of Saturday 14 November.

Under this system, the Met Office expects rain with wind and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms in some places, and snowfall over the hills and mountains.

The PMD has asked the authorities concerned to take precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident, particularly in hilly areas, where heavy rain and snow can make roads slippery and, in the worst cases, close routes altogether.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: rain across the province, snow in the mountains

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see the longest and widest spell of rain. From the evening of Tuesday 10 November until the morning of Saturday 14 November, rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected across the province, with occasional breaks. Isolated heavy falls and hailstorms are possible, and snowfall is likely over the mountains.

The districts named in the forecast cover almost the whole province: Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.

That means the rain will affect the big cities of the province — Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad and Swat — as well as the mountain districts where snowfall is expected. The Met Office has warned that rain and snow could make roads slippery in the mountains, and that heavy snowfall might close some routes, affecting travel.

Punjab and Islamabad: light rain today, heavier rain on Thursday and Friday

In Punjab and Islamabad, the rain arrives in two stages. On Wednesday 11 November, light rain with wind and thunderstorms is expected in Islamabad, the Potohar region, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Sargodha, Murree and nearby areas.

The heavier rain comes on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 November, when rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab and Sargodha. Rain is also expected in Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bhakkar and Multan on Thursday 12 November.

The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert for rain across most districts of the province from 10 to 13 November, warning of possible strong winds and hailstorms in some areas.

For Lahore and the rest of Punjab, the rain may also bring a welcome side effect: relief from smog. The province has been struggling with thick smog in recent weeks, and rain usually helps clear the air, at least for a few days.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan: rain and snow until Saturday afternoon

Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also in line for a full wet spell. Rain, wind and thunderstorms, with snowfall over the hills, are expected until the afternoon of Saturday 14 November, with occasional breaks.

In Azad Kashmir, the affected areas include Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur. In Gilgit-Baltistan, the forecast covers Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.

Light snowfall is also possible over high mountains and glaciers during the wet spell, which is good news for the region’s water supply in the long run — snow that falls now melts slowly and feeds the rivers in spring — but it can also make mountain roads dangerous in the short term.

Balochistan and Sindh: mostly dry, with a few showers

Most districts of Balochistan and Sindh are expected to stay mainly dry during this spell. The exception is north-eastern Balochistan, where isolated rain with wind and thunderstorms, and possible hailstorms, are forecast in Duki, Harnai, Pishin, Sherani, Surab, Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kalat and Khuzdar on the night of Wednesday 11 November and on Thursday 12 November.

Day by day: what to expect

Here is the forecast, day by day, based on the PMD’s advisory:

Wednesday 11 November: Rain and thunderstorms in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, with snowfall in mountainous areas. Light rain in Islamabad, the Potohar region, Murree and nearby areas. Isolated rain in parts of north-eastern Balochistan at night.

Thursday 12 November: The system strengthens. Rain and thunderstorms across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, with snowfall in the mountains. Rain spreads across Punjab, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Jhelum and Sargodha, and reaches southern Punjab districts such as Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah and Bhakkar. Rain is also possible in parts of north-eastern Balochistan.

Friday 13 November: Rain and thunderstorms continue in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, the Potohar region, Kashmir and nearby hilly areas, with snowfall in the mountains. Rain continues in parts of Punjab, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Saturday 14 November: The system weakens. Most parts of the country turn dry, though a few areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir may still see rain and snowfall in the mountains. Fog may develop in patches over the plains after the rain ends.

Temperatures will fall

Daytime temperatures are expected to drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during the forecast period. That may not sound like much, but after weeks of dry, mild autumn weather, the change will be noticeable — especially in the evenings and at night in the north.

The cold will be sharpest in the mountains, where rain turns to snow, and in the plains of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the rain clears and the skies open up. The PMD has also said fog may develop in patches over plain areas once the wet spell ends, which can reduce visibility on the roads in the early morning.

Staying safe during the wet spell

Rain and snow in the hills are beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. Here are some simple precautions, based on the Met Office’s warnings:

If you are travelling in the mountains: Check the weather and road conditions before you leave. Rain and snow make roads slippery, and heavy snowfall can close routes. Keep extra time in your journey, carry warm clothes and food, and avoid travelling at night in hilly areas during the spell.

If you are driving in the rain: Slow down, keep a bigger gap from the vehicle in front, and switch your headlights on. Avoid driving through flooded roads or underpasses — even shallow-looking water can be deeper than it seems.

During thunderstorms: Stay indoors if you can. If you are outside, avoid standing under trees or near metal structures. Unplug sensitive electrical equipment at home if lightning is close by.

Hailstorms: If hail starts falling, move indoors or under solid cover. Hail can damage cars, so park under cover where possible.

After the rain: Watch out for fog in the plains, especially in the early morning. Drive slowly, use fog lights, and avoid overtaking when visibility is poor.

Farmers and livestock owners: Heavy rain and hail can damage standing crops. If you can, protect harvested crops from rain, and keep livestock under shelter during thunderstorms and hail.

Why this spell matters

This is the first proper wet spell of the season for much of northern Pakistan, and it matters for several reasons.

First, it breaks a long dry stretch. Much of the country has had dry weather for weeks, and the rain will help crops, recharge groundwater and settle the dust.

Second, it brings the first snow of the season to the northern mountains. Snowfall in places like Murree, Swat, Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan marks the real start of winter in the hills, and it is the snow that feeds Pakistan’s rivers in the spring and summer.

Third, the rain should give Punjab a break from smog. Lahore and other cities in the province have had poor air quality in recent weeks, and rain washes pollution out of the air. The relief may be temporary, but it will be welcome.

Finally, it is a reminder that winter is coming. Daytime temperatures are already set to fall, and after this spell, the cold will settle in across the north. It is a good time to check heaters, stock up on warm clothing and make sure your home is ready for the colder months.

Frequently asked questions

When will the rain start in Pakistan?

The wet spell began on the evening of Tuesday 10 November in the north and west, and rain reaches Islamabad and parts of Punjab on Wednesday 11 November. The system strengthens on Thursday 12 November and lasts until the morning of Saturday 14 November.

Where will it snow?

Snowfall is expected over the hills and mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, including areas such as Murree, Swat, Chitral, Neelum Valley, Hunza and Skardu. Light snow is also possible over high mountains and glaciers.

Will it rain in Lahore?

Yes. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Lahore on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 November, as part of the wider spell across Punjab.

Will it rain in Karachi?

No. Sindh is expected to stay mainly dry during this spell, with the rain concentrated in the north and upper parts of the country.

How much will temperatures fall?

Daytime temperatures are expected to drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during the forecast period, according to the PMD.

Is the rain good for smog in Punjab?

Yes, in the short term. Rain usually clears smog from the air, so Lahore and other cities in Punjab should see cleaner air after the rain. The effect is temporary, though — smog can return once the dry weather comes back.

Where can I get the latest forecast?

The PMD publishes daily weather updates on its website at weather.gov.pk and through its Pak Weather mobile application.

Conclusion

A westerly system is bringing rain, thunderstorms and snow to northern Pakistan over the next four days, with the heaviest rain expected on Thursday and Friday. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan will see the most rain and snow, Punjab and Islamabad will get useful rain that should also clear the smog, and most of Sindh and Balochistan will stay dry.

For most people, this is good news — the first proper rain of the season, the first snow in the hills, and cleaner air. But the Met Office’s warnings are worth heeding: take care on mountain roads, drive slowly in the rain, and keep an eye on the forecast as the system strengthens on Thursday. Winter, it seems, has arrived.

Sources

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.

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