Strong winds batter Islamabad, Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: Strong winds battered the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the early hours of Thursday, with impacts expected to last throughout the day.

The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) forecast a 55 per cent probability of partly cloudy weather accompanied by rain and thunderstorms for today, with wind-dust storm potentially causing damage to loose structures such as electric poles, trees, vehicles and solar panels.

Wind storms and even hail may also threaten standing crops across the plains of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; in particular, during the evening and night of Wednesday and throughout Thursday.

In terms of temperature, Islamabad and Rawalpindi are expected to reach a high of 31 degrees Celsius, with conditions remaining partly cloudy from Thursday to Saturday. The weather will then transition to more sunny skies from Sunday onwards.

Regional weather updates

Balochistan weather

Dry and partly cloudy conditions are expected across most districts. However, rain and thunderstorms are likely at select locations. Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Musakhel and Chaman are expected to receive rains in the morning hours.

Weather in Punjab

Mainly dry weather is forecasted for most districts throughout the most populous province. However, rain and thunderstorms may occur in the northern regions.

Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Mianwali, Khushab, and Sargodha are expected to receive slight rainfall.

Sindh

Meanwhile, the southern province will remain dry and hot.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Widespread rain and thunderstorms along with snow in high mountains, are expected in KP. Chitral, Dir, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber and Orakzai are expected to receive rains.

Gilgit-Baltistan

Intermittent rain and thunderstorms, with the possibility of heavy snowfall, is expected.

Azad Kashmir

Similar conditions of intermittent rain and thunderstorms, along with potential heavy snowfall, are forecasted.