Rain, Snow in Upper Pakistan on Nov 4–5: PDMA Alert for KP as Westerly Wave Brings Hailstorm, Landslide Risk
Rain, wind and snowfall are expected across the upper parts of Pakistan on November 4 and 5 as a westerly wave moves in, with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa disaster authority issuing a province-wide alert for landslides and blocked roads. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) says the system, which approached the upper regions on the night of…
Rain, wind and snowfall are expected across the upper parts of Pakistan on November 4 and 5 as a westerly wave moves in, with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa disaster authority issuing a province-wide alert for landslides and blocked roads. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) says the system, which approached the upper regions on the night of November 3, will persist until November 5, bringing a sharp drop in daytime temperatures followed by colder nights.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weather system | A westerly wave approaching the upper regions on the night of November 3, persisting until November 5 |
| Forecast window | November 4 to the morning of November 5, 2026 |
| Expected weather | Rain with wind and thunderstorms, snowfall over the mountains, isolated hailstorms |
| Upper KP districts | Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Swabi, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Kurram, Orakzai, Hangu, Kohat, Galliyat |
| Kashmir districts | Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar |
| Islamabad–upper Punjab belt | Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Sargodha, Khushab, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore |
| PDMA KP alert | Intermittent rain and snowfall November 4–5; landslide and road-blockage risk in 10 hilly districts |
| PDMA emergency helpline | 1700 (Emergency Operation Center active 24 hours) |
| Temperature impact | Day temperatures to drop significantly during the wet spell, followed by a further fall in night temperatures |
| Rest of the country | Mostly dry; Karachi weather expected to improve after November 5 |
Where the rain and snow will fall
Under the influence of the westerly wave, rain-wind and thunderstorms with snowfall over the mountains are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Swabi, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Kurram, Orakzai, Hangu, Kohat and Galliyat — as well as across Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur. The same pattern is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan — Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Ghanche and Shigar — from November 4 to the morning of November 5.
The Met Office advisory also lists rain, wind and thunderstorms for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Sargodha, Khushab, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal and Lahore on November 4, with isolated hailstorms possible in these areas too. The department has cautioned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning could damage loose structures in exposed areas.
PDMA alert: landslides and blocked roads in KP
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued an alert to all district administrations ahead of the expected intermittent rain and snowfall from November 4 to 5. The Met Office has warned that heavy rain and snowfall may trigger landslides in hilly areas, potentially blocking roads — particularly in Abbottabad, Battagram, Dir, Chitral, Kohistan, Kurram, Shangla, Swat, Torghar and North Waziristan.
The PDMA says its Emergency Operation Center remains active 24 hours a day, and citizens can report emergencies or seek assistance by calling the helpline 1700. Travellers heading to the upper districts — especially the Galiyat, Swat and Chitral routes — should check road conditions before setting out and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy spells.
Temperatures to drop; Punjab smog may ease briefly
The wet spell will bring a marked drop in temperatures across the northern and central parts of the country. Day temperatures are expected to fall significantly during the rain, followed by a further decrease in night temperatures. The foggy and smoggy conditions prevailing in parts of Punjab are likely to subside temporarily during the rainy period, though the Met Office notes they may redevelop afterwards.
The spell follows the season’s first snowfall in upper Chitral, recorded on November 2 at Shandur Top, Khot, Broghil, Madaklasht and other high-altitude locations, with the Met Office forecasting intermittent snowfall there over the following days. Separately, Murree’s winter tourism safety plan, titled “Mission Safe Winter”, has been activated following the first snowfall in the Galiyat region, with 19 tourist facilitation centres and more than 20 snow-clearing vehicles positioned across Murree and Galiyat.
What about the rest of the country
Most of the country will stay dry during this spell. Sindh is expected to remain dry with hot daytime conditions in the southern districts, while northern Balochistan stays cold with light rain possible in Quetta, Chaman, Pishin and Zhob. Karachi, which has been experiencing hot weather, is expected to see conditions improve after November 5 as the westerly winds pass through.
For the plains, in other words, this is a northern weather story: the action is in the hills and the upper districts, while the rest of Pakistan largely stays dry and, in the south, warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which areas of Pakistan will get rain and snow on November 4–5, 2026?
Rain with wind and thunderstorms and snowfall over the mountains are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, plus Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and a belt of upper-Punjab cities including Lahore, according to the Met Office advisory. Most of the rest of the country stays dry.
Has PDMA issued an alert for this weather spell?
Yes. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PDMA has issued an alert to all district administrations for intermittent rain and snowfall from November 4 to 5, warning of landslides and road blockages in hilly districts including Abbottabad, Battagram, Dir, Chitral, Kohistan, Kurram, Shangla, Swat, Torghar and North Waziristan.
What is the PDMA emergency helpline number?
1700. The PDMA’s Emergency Operation Center remains active 24 hours a day, and citizens can report emergencies or seek assistance on this number.
Will it rain in Lahore and Islamabad on November 4?
The Met Office advisory lists rain, wind and thunderstorms for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and Lahore on November 4, with isolated hailstorms possible. The spell is driven by a westerly wave that persists until November 5.
Will temperatures fall during this spell?
Yes. Day temperatures are expected to drop significantly during the wet spell, followed by a further decrease in night temperatures across the northern and central parts of the country.
Is there a landslide risk?
The Met Office has warned that heavy rain and snowfall may trigger landslides in hilly areas, potentially blocking roads in Abbottabad, Battagram, Dir, Chitral, Kohistan, Kurram, Shangla, Swat, Torghar and North Waziristan. Travellers should check road conditions before travelling to upper districts.
Will Karachi get rain from this system?
No rain is forecast for Karachi from this system. The city has been experiencing hot weather, and conditions there are expected to improve after November 5 due to the westerly winds.
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