Karachi cold wave: Brace for chillier weather in January

The ongoing cold wave in Karachi is expected to worsen in the second week of January 2025, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz told a local news channel on Wednesday that temperatures in the city may drop further in January. He also noted that light showers are expected in parts of Balochistan from January 3 to 5. However, the country is likely to experience less snowfall and rainfall this winter compared to previous years.

Karachi has seen temperatures dip to single digits multiple times this month, with the cold wave affecting several parts of the country. In Balochistan, temperatures have plummeted below freezing in various areas.

The PMD has predicted mainly cold and dry weather across most parts of the country, with very cold conditions in hilly regions during morning and night hours. Light rain and snow may occur in Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas during the evening and night.

Smog is likely to persist in isolated plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning and night hours, while frost is expected at isolated places in Islamabad, the Pothohar region, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the morning.

Over the past 24 hours, several regions recorded extreme cold, with Skardu experiencing -11°C, Astore and Gupis at -8°C, Gilgit at -7°C, Quetta and Ziarat at -6°C, and Hunza, Bagrote, and Dir at -5°C. With temperatures continuing to drop, residents are advised to take precautions against the chilly weather and prepare for the intensifying cold wave.