The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has announced that residents of Karachi should prepare for a noticeable dip in temperatures starting Monday, December 8. A western weather system is set to bring colder conditions to the port city.
Chilly Winds to Grip the City
According to the PMD's Saturday update, northwesterly winds will begin influencing Karachi's climate from the start of the new week. The chief meteorologist for Karachi confirmed that this change is linked to a western system currently affecting northern Pakistan and Balochistan. While the system's main impact is felt elsewhere, the cold conditions in Balochistan will have a slight but perceptible effect on Karachi.
Northeasterly winds blowing from the Balochistan region are expected to be the primary carrier of this chill, increasing the cold feel across the metropolis. However, meteorologists have reassured citizens that a severe cold wave is not anticipated until at least mid-December.
Expected Temperature Range
The PMD has provided specific forecasts for the coming days. The minimum temperature in Karachi is likely to hover between 12°C and 14°C, while daytime maximums may vary from 27°C to 29°C. This represents a drop of approximately one to two degrees Celsius from recent readings.
Despite the entry of western weather systems into the country, the department has clarified that there is currently no forecast of rainfall for Karachi. The conditions are predicted to remain cold and dry.
Recent Cold Snap and Recorded Lows
This forecast follows a notably cold Wednesday earlier in the week, where strong chilly winds swept across Karachi throughout the day. On that day, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 8.9°C and a maximum of 28.4°C.
The PMD's recorded data from various stations highlights the local variations:
- Jinnah Terminal: 8.9°C (lowest recorded)
- Bin Qasim: 12.1°C
- Old Airport: 12.5°C
- Shahrae Faisal and Maripur: 13.5°C
The Early Warning Centre had forecast that the chilly winds experienced on Wednesday would reduce the city's temperature by one to two degrees Celsius, a prediction now extending into the coming week. Winds originating from the northeast of Balochistan reached speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour.
Nationwide Weather Outlook
In its broader national update for December 6, the PMD stated that cold and dry conditions persist across most of Pakistan. Light rain, drizzle, and light snowfall are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, and Kashmir. Meanwhile, smog continues to affect the plains of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with fog likely during night and morning hours.
Karachi's citizens are advised to take necessary precautions as the cooler weather sets in, though no extreme conditions are predicted in the immediate future.
