Snowfall continues across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan under the influence of a shallow westerly wave, pushing temperatures to extreme lows and disrupting daily life.
In Skardu, a fresh blanket of snow has covered the city and the surrounding high-altitude areas. Urban neighbourhoods and upper mountain regions received around three to five inches of snowfall. Minimum temperatures plunged to minus eight degrees Celsius in the city, while higher elevations recorded lows near minus 13 degrees.
PMD Tourist Advisory: Cold, Fog & Snowfall Expected Today. PMD Weather Update for Tourists | 17 Jan 2026
❄️ Cold conditions at tourist spots
🌨️ Snowfall likely in northern areas
🌫️ Fog may affect travel routes#PMD #TouristWeather #PakistanTourism pic.twitter.com/JjQHTL4x86
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) January 17, 2026Snow also coated trees and roads in Swat Valley, creating picturesque scenes but intensifying the cold. Authorities urged caution on mountain roads as icy conditions developed overnight.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said the shallow westerly wave approached the upper parts of the country on January 16 and is expected to persist until January 19. Forecasters warned the system could strengthen from January 20 and affect most regions from January 21 onward.
Pashto Weather Forecast Today | PMD | 17 Jan 2026.PMD Pashto Weather Forecast — 17 January 2026
❄️ Cold conditions nationwide
🌫️ Dense fog in plains
🌨️ Snowfall likely in northern regions#PMD #PashtoWeather #WeatherUpdate pic.twitter.com/irQHt3KaJL
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) January 17, 2026According to the forecast, rain accompanied by thunderstorms and light to moderate snowfall will continue in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Light rain or snow is also likely in Murree, the Galliyat, and nearby areas between January 18 and January 20.
