KARACHI: The cold and dry weather is likely to continue for another week in the city, which experienced its coldest day of this season on Monday, the meteorological department stated.

The minimum and maximum temperature recorded on Monday was 9.2 degrees Celsius and 25.5 °C. Morning and evening humidity was 81 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively.

“The minimum temperature of this season was 9.5°C, making Dec 30 the coldest day of this year so far. Last year, the minimum temperature was 9°C, which was recorded in January,” said Sardar Sarfaraz, the Met department spokesperson.

He predicted that the temperature could drop further in coming weeks with change in the weather systems.

“The cold wave gripping Karachi since Dec 24 is likely to continue till Jan 4 after which it’s likely to subside for a few days as a new system would enter the country,” he said.

January would likely see strong variation in temperature, which means temperature dropping lower than 9.2°C. The month of January had often been the coldest month in Karachi and other parts of the country, he added.

About other parts of the province, he said the upper parts of Sindh, particularly Moenjodaro had seen intense cold in recent days.

The minimum temperature off and on recorded in Moenjodaro had been 1.5°C.

Asked about significant variation in Karachi’s maximum and minimum temperatures in a single day, he said this pattern was very much normal for the city.

The maximum temperature recorded so far in the city was 28°C.

According to the Met department website, continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. A shallow westerly wave is likely to affect western and upper parts of the country from Tuesday.

“Moderate to dense fog is likely to prevail in districts of upper Sindh (Sukkur, Larkana, Rohri, Padidan, Jacobabad) during morning and night hours on Tuesday. Cold and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the province,” it said.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2019