The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that a new westerly weather system has entered the western parts of the country and is expected to affect these areas until March 12.

Under the influence of this system, several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir are likely to experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather along with rain, wind, and thunderstorms. Moderate rainfall is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battgram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Haripur between the evening of March 9 and March 12. Some areas may also receive heavy rainfall during this period.

Light rain and thunderstorms are also expected in Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bajaur, Bannu, Waziristan, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, and Mianwali on March 10 and 11.

Meanwhile, Islamabad, the Pothohar region, Murree, the Galliyat, and surrounding areas are expected to receive intermittent rain and thunderstorms from the night of March 9 through March 11.

The Met Office has also warned of possible hailstorms at isolated locations in Islamabad and other upper parts of the country during the forecast period.

As a result of the incoming system, daytime temperatures in upper regions are likely to drop by 3–4°C.

Authorities have cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and remain cautious during the forecast period.

Farmers have also been urged to manage their crops according to the expected weather conditions.

In addition, the PMD noted that winds associated with the system could carry pollutants from Iran, which may worsen air quality in western parts of the country.