Murree, Northern Areas Lead Winter Focus as Cold Morning Settles Over Islamabad and Big Cities

A fresh spell of snowfall blanketed parts of northern Pakistan early Tuesday morning, intensifying the ongoing cold wave and bringing sub-zero temperatures across several hill regions, officials confirmed.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), light to moderate snowfall was recorded overnight in Murree, Galiyat, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and parts of Azad Kashmir, while surrounding areas woke up to frost-covered landscapes under clear blue skies. The PMD spokesperson said in a morning briefing in Islamabad that the cold spell is expected to persist through the next 24 to 48 hours.

Temperatures in Murree dropped to -2°C, while Nathia Gali recorded -4°C in the early hours. In Islamabad, the mercury hovered around 3°C, with chilly winds further lowering the “feels-like” temperature. Peshawar and Abbottabad remained cold but dry, while Skardu and Gilgit continued to experience severe cold, with temperatures plunging below -10°C.

Authorities advised tourists and commuters to exercise caution, particularly on snow-covered roads in hill stations, where slippery conditions were reported during the morning hours. Local administration officials in Murree said road clearance operations were underway to maintain traffic flow.

Why it matters now:

With travel increasing during winter mornings, fresh snowfall and freezing temperatures raise safety concerns for commuters and tourists, making timely weather awareness critical.

The PMD has forecast mostly dry but cold weather for Islamabad and adjoining plains, while northern areas may see intermittent light snowfall and frost during night and early morning hours.