North Pakistan under freeze

Pakistan is in the grip of severe cold conditions as minimums have plunged to sub- zero temperatures in Northern parts of the country. The situation has been aggravated by the passage of two successive Western Disturbances (WDs) which have moved across the region in the last 10 days. These WDs have caused a lot of snowfall in higher reaches & scattered rains in central & southern Pakistan. As a result, sub-zero temperatures are being experienced over northern parts of Pakistan.

WDs are low pressure systems originating in the Mediterranean Sea. They move eastwards towards Pakistan and Northern India and produce precipitation in the form of snow, rain and sometimes hail. Although WDs keep forming throughout the year, this is the time of the year when the WD activity is at its peak and the intensity also increases. It is to be noted that when a WD approaches, the temperature rises and when the system moves eastwards the cold North-Northwesterly winds start blowing over Pakistan & NW India. These winds reduce the minimum temperatures significantly. As many  places mentioned in the table below are in the higher elevations, sub-zero temperatures are not unusual but what is of significance is the fact that maximum temperatures are generally below 16°C. Cold day conditions are said to exist when maximum temperature is 16°C or less & is 5°C below normal. These cold day conditions are prevailing over North Pakistan for almost a week. What is worse, there seems to be no end to these freezing temperatures as two more WDs are likely to affect this region in next one week or so. First of these WDs will start affecting from 1^st Feb & last till 3^rd Feb. Then the second one will move across North Pakistan from 7^th Feb till 9^th Feb. These two WDs can easily cause two-three spells of rain & snow in coming ten days, giving no respite from freezing temperatures to people of this region.

Sub-Zero temperatures across North Pakistan