Weather alert: Rain forecast in northern areas

Partly cloudy skies expected in KP, Kashmir and Islamabad; air quality may be affected by winds from Iran.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), partly cloudy conditions are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad and the Potohar Region, with chances of rain and thunderstorms at several places.

Rain accompanied by gusty winds is likely in districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Bajaur, while isolated hailstorms may also occur in some parts of the province.

Partly cloudy weather is also forecast in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Mianwali, Jhelum, Gujrat, Lahore and Gujranwala, where rainfall is predicted.

Meanwhile, Murree and Galiyat may receive rain with strong winds and thunderstorms, along with the possibility of hail in a few locations across Punjab.

Hot and dry conditions are expected in most districts of Sindh, while dry weather is likely to prevail across much of Balochistan.

Separately, the PMD warned that evolving regional conditions linked to the situation in Iran could impact air quality, as winds carrying polluted particles may reach the western parts of Pakistan.