After a prolonged dry winter period, the country is expected to receive much-awaited rain and snowfall in mountainous and upper areas starting today (Saturday), according to the forecast from the Pakistan Meteorologist Department (PMD).

In light of the rain forecast by the Pakistan Meteorologist Department (PMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PMDA) of Sindh has directed commissioners and concerned authorities to take precautionary measures before the rain to avoid any unwanted situations.

An advisory issued by PMD indicates the possibility of light to moderate rain and snowfall in several parts of the country, including Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, and surrounding areas from January 27 to 31.

According to the weather forecast bulletin of PMD, Murree and Gilyat are expected to receive rain and snowfall in the evening or night in the mountains.

Meanwhile, Potohar, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Okara, Kasur, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Mangala, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Toba Tek Singh, Khanewal, Multan, Khanpur, Rahimyar Khan, Hafizabad, Bhakkar, Leh, Dera Ghazi Khan, and surrounding areas will experience heavy fog in the morning hours.

The Met Office suggests that fog could contribute to lower temperatures, which will remain below normal in most districts of the province.

The weather in most areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be cold and partly cloudy, while the upper districts will experience freezing conditions. There are chances of rainfall in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Kirk, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, and Bannu in the evening and night.

On the other hand, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Peshawar, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and surroundings are likely to experience fog in the morning hours.

As part of the Sindh forecast, the weather will remain cold and dry in most districts of the province. Smog is likely to prevail in Jacobabad, Hyderabad, Mohenjo-daro, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Ghotki, Khairpur, Kashmore, and Padaidan. Due to this, daytime temperatures will remain below normal in most districts of the province.

Meanwhile, cold weather prevails in most districts of Balochistan, with the northern districts expected to be very cold. There is a chance of light rain in the coastal areas of Makran.