PMD predicts hot, humid weather across Pakistan, rain likely in northern areas 

Islamabad (Web Desk): A spell of hot and muggy weather is set to continue across much of Pakistan on Thursday, although scattered rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms are expected to affect parts of the north and northeast later in the day, according to the latest outlook issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

The Met Office said Islamabad and nearby areas will remain warm and humid during daylight hours, with partly cloudy skies. Weather conditions are expected to change by evening, bringing the possibility of rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms. The likelihood of precipitation in the federal capital has been placed at 30 percent.

Most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also forecast to experience hot and humid conditions. However, isolated showers along with windstorms and thunderstorms may develop during the afternoon in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Buner, Bajaur, Waziristan and Kurram.

Across Punjab, the weather is expected to stay hot with high humidity levels. By evening and nighttime, scattered rainfall coupled with gusty winds and thunderstorms is likely in Murree, Galiyat, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Khushab, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal and Kasur.

Sindh is likely to remain largely hot and humid, while the upper parts of the province are expected to endure extremely high daytime temperatures. Coastal districts, meanwhile, are forecast to witness partly cloudy skies.

In Balochistan, dry and hot weather is expected to dominate most areas, with central districts likely to experience intense heat during the day. Later in the evening and at night, isolated rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms may occur in Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Sibi, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Awaran and adjoining localities.

Partly cloudy conditions are expected over Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, where afternoon rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms are also likely.

Over the past 24 hours, hot and humid weather persisted in most regions of the country, while scattered rain, windstorms and thunderstorms were reported in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, northeast Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Mir Khani received the highest rainfall during the period with 33 millimetres, followed by Hafizabad with 23mm and Babusar with 22mm. Sialkot Airport recorded 17mm of rain, Chakwal 9mm, Kotli and Gujranwala 7mm each, Barkhan 6mm, Zhob and Gujrat 4mm each, while Parachinar, Drosh, Sargodha and Mandi Bahauddin each received 3mm. Light showers were also reported from Sheikhupura, Hunza, Skardu and Murree.

Wednesday's highest temperatures were recorded in Turbat and Dadu, where the mercury reached 45 degrees Celsius. Sibi, Bhakkar and Khanewal followed closely, each registering a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius.