LAHORE, Dec 10: The temperature here dipped to below 5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, but bright sunshine neutralized its impact during the day.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department acting director-general Shaukat Ali Awan, the cold wave started two days ago when high atmospheric pressure allowed winds from the north and the northwest to invade the country. The cold spell would last another three days, he added.

He said there was currently no chance of rain anywhere in the country.

According to the Met department, winter rains would start falling in January.

Mr Awan said the dry season normally lasted up to Dec 15 and benefited the wheat crop.

In Lahore, the minimum temperature was recorded at 4.8 degrees Celsius and the maximum at 24.1 degrees with 72 per cent humidity in the morning and 33.1 per cent in the evening.

According to the Met office, it will be partly cloudy in Lahore during the next 24 hours.