Snow fall in Earthquake Affected Area

Meteorological Service of Pakistan

Snowfall has already been reported from isolated places in calamity-hit areas of Pakistan during the last decade of October. Initial overview of the regional and global parameters indicates that another harsh winter is approaching the earthquake stricken areas. Snowfall is expected to exceed considerably above the normal range both in terms of frequency of occurrence and amount. As such, the temperatures are likely to range well below normal. General winter outlook especially in mountainous earthquake affected areas is presented in the following table for an area within the radius of 80km around the epicenter (Muzaffarabad).


S.No.Area Expected Snowfall (ft) Expected Lowest Night Temperature (°C)
Nov Dec Jan Feb Nov Dec Jan Feb
1 North of 1 7 10 7 -4 -7 -10 -6
Epicenter
2 Around 1 5 8 5 -3 -6 -9 -4
Epicenter
3 South of 0.5 3 7 4 -2 -5 -8 -4
Epicenter

In December, January and February, even the day temperatures are likely to stay several degrees below freezing especially in mountainous areas and during January lowest minimum temperatures usually drop as low as -20s degree Celsius. The landslides and foggy weather in winter may be another factor affecting the human survival in these areas.


Meteorological Service of Pakistan