The Pakistan Meteorological Department on Tuesday rejected claims circulating online and in the media about an unusually severe winter in the country, saying available data does not support such predictions.
The department said its seasonal winter outlook for December to February and current observations both indicate normal winter conditions for 2025–26. It added that recent claims about extreme cold lacked scientific backing and did not align with national, regional, or global climate indicators.
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According to the PMD, forecasts developed using World Meteorological Organization supported climate models projected near-normal to slightly below-normal rainfall during the winter season, while temperatures were expected to remain slightly above average across most parts of Pakistan.
Observed data so far matches these projections. The department reported overall below-normal rainfall nationwide, with limited light to moderate precipitation mainly in western and northwestern areas. Temperatures have stayed above normal in most regions, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
December 2025 data shows the country received 10.3 millimeters of rainfall compared to a normal average of 15.8 millimeters, marking a deficit of nearly 35 percent. The national mean temperature stood at 13.8 degrees Celsius, around 1.2 degrees above normal. Punjab recorded the largest rainfall shortfall, while Sindh experienced above-average rainfall.
The PMD said current trends remain consistent with its pre-season forecast and do not point to extreme winter conditions. It urged the public to rely on official forecasts for accurate and verified weather information.
