Cold, dry and foggy weather grips Pakistan, rain, snowfall likely 

Cold and foggy weather grips Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country which forced the traffic authorities to close motorways at various points, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel. 

The weather office says country is expected to experience cold and dry weather over the coming days with the Meteorological Department warning that fog will intensify in several plains of the province during morning and night hours. According to the Met Office, most parts of the country will remain cold and dry, while hilly regions will continue to face severe cold, particularly during nighttime. 

Fog around Allama Iqbal International Airport causes visibility issue on the runway which was recorded at 150 meters resultantly planes were facing difficulties in landing and take-off. All pilots have been instructed to follow the instructions of ATC officials. Only planes equipped with ILS Cat 3 system were able to land and take-off. 

According to spokesperson of Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the plains of Punjab are covered in severe fog. Fog is also present in Lahore city and its surroundings. Spokesperson PDMA has urged the people to avoid unnecessary travel. During travel, drive are suggested to drive slowly and make use fog lights. Lahore-Sialkot motorway has been closed due to foggy weather. According to the spokesperson, the closure of motorway was aimed at the safety of the travelers. Motorways and Highways police have advised travelers to be careful during fog and avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather condition. 

Rainfall in various places in the twin cities turns weather pleasant and the intensity of cold was also increased. The rain is expected to reduce smog and fog. The Meteorological Department has predicted rain on Sunday also. 

According to Met office during the next 24 hours, the weather in Islamabad and its surrounding areas will remain cold and partly cloudy, with the possibility of rain with strong winds. 

In Punjab rain with strong winds and thundershowers are likely in Attock, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Noorpurthal and Layyah district. Rain with strong winds and snowfall on the mountains is expected in Murree and Galiyat. Light rain/drizzle is expected at a few places in Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Multan, Jhang, DG Khan and Toba Tek Singh. 

In KP, cold and partly cloudy weather in most districts of the province, rain with strong winds and snowfall on the mountains are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Buner, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Kohat, Kurram, Bannu, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Waziristan. 

In Sindh, weather is expected to be cold and dry in most districts of the province while partly cloudy in the upper districts. Fog is likely to occur in Sukkur, Rohri, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mohenjodaro and surrounding areas during the morning/night hours.

In Balochistan, the weather will be cold and partly cloudy, with the possibility of rain with strong winds and thunderstorms and snowfall in the mountains in Chagai, Noshki, Washak, Panjgur, Kech, Godar, Kalat, Mastung, Quetta, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Ziarat, Harnai, Chaman, Musakhel and Zhob. Rain with strong winds and snowfall in the mountains are expected in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.