Scattered rain/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills occurred in upper and central Punjab, upper and central KP, Karachi division, Northeast Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday, the Meteorological Department said. In its weather forecast for today (Friday), the Met Office said that yesterday’s trough of westerly wave persists over upper parts of the country.
Thunderstorm/rain with snowfall over the hills is expected at scattered places of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Rawalpindi & Gujranwala divisions. Mist/fog may be observed in the morning over the plain areas of Punjab and Sindh It further said that isolated rain/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills may occur in Malakand, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore divisions and Kashmir/Gilgit-Baltistan during next 48 hours.
Met office said that the wide-spread light rains and snowfall over the hills have dropped the maximum temperature upto 10 degree Celsius in upper and central Punjab, upper and central KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and some areas of Balochistan. In Lahore the day time maximum temperature has fallen from 25 degree Celsius to 14 C and minimum from 10°C to 08°C. The coldest places in the country were: Parachinar -06°C, Skardu -05°C, Gupis -04°C, Astore & Malam Jabba -03°C, Kalam, Gilgit & Murree -01°C.
Meanwhile, agriculture experts and agronomist have told Business Recorder that the widespread light rain and snowfall have given a great boost to the water deficit winter crops and livestock wealth. Director General Punjab Agriculture Extension Services, Dr Anjum Ali said that Rabi crops including wheat, grams, canola, oil seeds, barleys, potatoes, fodder and vegetables were badly needing watering especially in the rain-fed areas of Rawalpindi and Sargodha divisions.