KARACHI: Mercury soared to 41 degrees Celsius — the highest temperature recorded in September in Karachi over the past 10 years — as the city remained in the grip of hot and humid conditions on Monday.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) data, the highest temperature ever recorded in September was 43°C in 1951. In 2015, the temperature had surged to 42.7°C on Sept 20, 2015.

Other parts of the province experienced similar hot and humid conditions with nine cities seeing 40°C or above temperature.

The Met Office said Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad and Khairpur were the hottest cities with 42°C.

Talking to Dawn, Chief Meteorologist Ameer Hyder Laghari said that the ongoing hot and humid conditions were caused by a persisting low pressure area that had also blocked the sea breeze.

“However, from Tuesday [today], the temperature is expected to go down as the low pressure area has almost dissipated,” he said, adding: “The system persisting for the past several days brought some rains in our eastern parts but most parts of the province including Karachi couldn’t see any monsoon showers.” According to him, the PMD has already predicted a largely dry monsoon.

“The El Nino conditions are driving regional atmospheric warming,” he said, adding that the phenomenon is a natural climate pattern that warms the surface water of the tropical Pacific Ocean.

In Karachi, the temperature is expected to range between 36°C and 38°C on Tuesday (today).

Relative humidity is expected to range between 70 per cent and 80pc and 45-55pc in the morning and evening hours, respectively.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026