PMD Responds to Viral Reports of Snowfall From Peshawar to Lahore

Published On: January 22, 2026

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a clarification following viral social media posts claiming widespread snowfall and an unprecedented cold spell across Pakistan from January 16–25.

The posts suggested record-breaking winter conditions from Peshawar to Lahore, with snow potentially hitting Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Lahore, and minimum temperatures dropping as low as -5°C.

Viral Claims vs Official PMD Forecast

Social media narratives linked the cold spell to a “polar vortex” and Siberian high-pressure system.
Circulated maps showed supposed temperature anomalies, warning of extreme weather.
Some posts even compared the situation to January 1964, describing it as a once-in-decades event.

The PMD has rejected these claims, calling them misleading and unverified. According to the latest assessment based on numerical weather prediction models:

Temperatures are expected to remain within normal winter ranges.
No indication of widespread snowfall or record-breaking cold waves is present.

Official Advisory

The PMD has urged the public to:

Follow official forecasts and warnings
Avoid sharing unverified social media posts
Rely on PMD updates for safety and accurate information

The department emphasized that misinformation can create unnecessary panic, and verified forecasts are the best guide for winter preparedness.

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