Ghizer district in Gilgit Baltistan saw the first significant snowfall of winter on Friday as the mountainous region of Pakistan deals with the impact of climate change.

Snow blanketed mountains in the district after a long time, increasing the intensity of cold weather, according to Aaj News correspondent.

In a statement, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said that light to moderate rain with snowfall over the hills was expected in GB’s Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from Saturday to Wednesday.

The PMD predicted the same weather forecast for Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur.

The Met Office added that light to moderate rain with snowfall over the hills was expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Manshera, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Bunner, Karak, Peshawar, Charsada, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Bannu and Kohat from January 27 to 31.

Light to moderate rain was expected in Islamabad, Pothohar region from January 27 to 31.

Light to moderate rain with snowfall over hills Murree and Galliyat during the period with occasional gaps, while in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali and Sargodha on January 30/31. Cold and dry and foggy conditions might remain during night and morning hours elsewhere in the province.

Moreover, light to moderate rain with snowfall over the hills was expected in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Chamman, Barkhan and Makran coast on January 28/29.

“Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the province with shallow to moderate foggy condition in upper Sindh,” it said.

The Met Office warned that snowfall may disrupt roads in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli during the forecast period.

It advised tourists to remain cautious during the spell.