Karachiites are facing yet another weather challenge as sea winds blow through the metropolitan until tomorrow. According to weather expert Jawad Memon, the wind is expected to reach a speed of 25 to 30 kilometres per hour in the evening, while the sky is expected to remain mostly clear or partly clouded. The people of Karachi have been facing intense heat for the last few days, making it difficult for them to survive during the month of Ramadan.
Last month, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned of above-normal temperatures and the likelihood of heatwave episodes from March to May. In addition, nearly normal precipitation is expected over most parts of the country, according to an advisory issued by the Met Office. The PMD stated that the long-lasting La-Niña condition has finally made the transition to a neutral state and is expected to remain neutral throughout the season of March, April, and May 2023.
Despite the weather warnings, Memon had earlier cautioned that the summer season in Karachi could be extremely hot this year. Karachiites have now been advised to bundle up, as the weather will be dry and cold at night for the next 24 hours, according to the weather department.
The PMD forecasted that the mercury in the port city would hover around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours, and cool winds would blow from the northeast at a speed of seven to 10 kilometres per hour. The humidity level in the city is 48%, and the lowest temperature recorded in Karachi during the last 24 hours was 14°C.
Meanwhile, the intensity of the cold has increased in Balochistan due to snowfall in different areas, and a travel emergency has been imposed on Khojak Pass. The weather department predicted rain with snowfall in the upper parts of the country during the coming days.
According to a statement from the Met Office, a westerly wave affecting North Balochistan is likely to grip upper parts on January 20 (night) and may persist till January 25 with occasional gaps. The statement further indicated that light to moderate rain-wind with snowfall over the hills (isolated hailstorm) is expected in various regions across the country, including Kashmir, Gilgit- Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Pothohar region, Kohistan, Swat, Dir, Chitral, Manshera, Haripur, Abbottabad, Karak, Charsada, Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib from January 21 to January 24 with occasional gaps.
Additionally, light rain and drizzle are expected in Multan, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahimyar Khan, Sukkur, and Dera Ismail Khan on January 20-21. Meanwhile, rain-wind with moderate to isolated heavy snowfall is expected in various regions, including Kashmir, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Murree, Galiyat, Chitral, Dir, Swat
