Rains and gusty winds are expected in Lahore and parts of Punjab from Friday to Sunday, with occasional breaks, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). A shallow westerly wave is set to approach upper Pakistan by Thursday evening, bringing potential relief from the ongoing heatwave.
While most of Punjab will remain hot and dry on Thursday night, isolated windstorms and rain may occur in Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Rawalpindi, and surrounding areas. Over the next three days, intermittent rain and thunderstorms are expected in several districts, including Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, and Lahore. Southern and central Punjab may also experience gusty or dust-raising winds.
Lahore’s temperatures are expected to hover between 45°C and 47°C on Friday, 44°C to 46°C on Saturday, and 43°C to 45°C on Sunday. Meanwhile, extremely hot conditions persisted in Punjab over the past 24 hours, with Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, Sargodha, Joharabad, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad recording highs of 48°C. Lahore saw a peak of 46°C with 19% evening humidity.
The PMD also forecasts partly cloudy weather with dust storms, rain, and possible hailstorms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Balochistan, Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan in the next 12 hours. Southern Pakistan will likely remain very hot and dry with gusty winds.
In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, and Baramula may see rain and thunderstorms, while Leh and Jammu could experience similar conditions.
A pre-monsoon system is expected to enter eastern Sindh by Saturday evening, bringing scattered rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds to Tharparkar and Umerkot. By Sunday, Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Mithi, Badin, Mirpur Khas, Umarkot, Thatta, Karachi, and Hyderabad may also experience similar weather.
The PMD warns that strong winds and storms could damage weak infrastructure, including trees, electric poles, and solar panels. Farmers are advised to adjust crop activities accordingly, while the public is urged to take precautions. Southern regions, particularly Sindh, will continue to endure severe heat, though temperatures may slightly drop.
Today’s expected highs include 37°C in Islamabad, 36°C in Quetta, 44°C in Lahore, 41°C in Peshawar, 39°C in Karachi, 38°C in Muzaffarabad, and 34°C in Gilgit. Authorities advise limiting outdoor activities, staying hydrated, and following safety measures during extreme weather conditions.
Also read: PDMA forecasts relief as pleasant weather follows intense heatwave
