A severe cold wave continues to grip Karachi, where the minimum temperature has been recorded at 8 degrees Celsius; however, due to cold and strong winds, the weather feels as low as 4 degrees Celsius. The impact of the cold was evident during the night and early morning hours, leading to a noticeable reduction in traffic flow and a lower turnout of people exercising in parks.
According to the Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in Bin Qasim was recorded at 7.4 degrees Celsius, while Jinnah Terminal and Gulistan-e-Johar recorded 10.5 degrees and Shahrah-e-Faisal 11.5 degrees Celsius. The current temperature in the city stands at 12 degrees Celsius, the humidity is at 36 percent, and northwesterly winds are blowing at a speed of 8 kilometers per hour.
The Meteorological Department has forecast that the maximum temperature in Karachi may reach 22 degrees Celsius today; however, overall weather conditions are expected to remain dry, with cold nights likely to persist.
Meanwhile, most districts of Balochistan continue to experience extremely cold and dry weather. The minimum temperature in Quetta was recorded at minus 10 degrees Celsius, while Qalat and Ziarat saw temperatures drop to minus 11 degrees Celsius. Zhob recorded minus 5 degrees, Sibi 3 degrees, and Turbat 8 degrees Celsius. Nokundi recorded zero degrees, while Chaman recorded minus 5 degrees Celsius. In coastal areas, the minimum temperature in Gwadar was 10 degrees and in Jiwani 12 degrees Celsius.
In Lahore, the weather has turned colder following rainfall, leading to a noticeable increase in cold intensity. The dry cold has subsided due to chilly winds, while hailstorms in some areas have further intensified the cold. According to the Meteorological Department, the sky over Lahore remains partly cloudy, and the rain has also reduced fog intensity. The current temperature in Lahore is 13 degrees Celsius, with humidity recorded at 94 percent.
The Meteorological Department reported that intermittent rainfall continues in Islamabad, while further rain is expected in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rain, along with snowfall over mountainous regions is expected in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, with heavy rain and snowfall forecast for Murree and Galiyat. Sindh and Balochistan are expected to remain cold and dry, while the risk of avalanches has been highlighted in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Intermittent snowfall has continued in Murree since last night, with approximately 12 inches of snow recorded so far. According to PDMA Punjab, cold intensity is increasing further in Murree and surrounding areas, and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and adopt precautionary measures.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, snowfall has occurred in various areas, including Hunza, Nagar, and Naltar, while traffic on the Karakoram Highway has been suspended due to snow accumulation. In Khyber district, heavy rainfall continued throughout the night, while severe snowfall in Tirah Valley has made the weather extremely cold.
In Azad Kashmir, rain and snowfall have also intensified the cold. Several link roads in the upper Neelum Valley have been closed, while traffic on the Rishiyan-Leepa road has been suspended. The minimum temperature in the Kel area of Neelum Valley was recorded at minus 10 degrees Celsius and minus 9 degrees Celsius in Taobat.
The Meteorological Department and relevant authorities have advised citizens and tourists to adopt precautionary measures in view of the cold weather, rain, and snowfall, and to avoid unnecessary travel.
