Feeling the heat: What are are the factors behind Karachi's continued temperature rise?

Karachi has been enduring significantly higher temperatures than usual even in the monsoon months

Karachi is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave, the most intense since the 2015 heatwave that swept through Pakistan.

To shed light on the reasons for continued heatwaves, weather analyst Jawad Memon noted that scorching heat to both polluted air and moisture originates from the Arabian Sea.

Instead of the usual monsoon downpours, Karachi has been enduring significantly higher temperatures than usual in the monsoon months.

The Arabian Sea has maintained an elevated temperature for several months, adding excessive moisture to an already humid atmosphere.

Memon highlights the presence of polluted air from the northeast exacerbating Karachi's atmospheric conditions. The combination of polluted air and moisture from the Arabian Sea has pushed temperatures to feel beyond 55 degrees Celsius, with the humidity level in the port city surging to 80%.

Memon also noted an unusual high-pressure system near Iran, which is blocking the typical monsoon winds from reaching Karachi, Thatta, and Badin.

Looking ahead, Memon predicts the possibility of light to moderate rainfall in Karachi from July 19 to 21. Beyond July 22, normal sea breezes are expected to return, raising hopes for a robust monsoon season in August.