The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning of an intensified cold wave set to affect Karachi starting January 4 (Saturday). Cold and dry weather is expected to grip the city in the coming days.
According to a statement released on Thursday, while there may be a slight warming in temperatures today and tomorrow (Friday), the situation will change as westerly winds move into the country.
Read more: Karachi Braces for Another Cold Spell as Temperature Could Drop to 6°C
These winds, potentially bringing rain to Balochistan, will eventually usher in cold winds to Karachi, the PMD said.
The city recorded a minimum temperature of 13.5°C, with humidity at 58% and wind speeds of 6 km/h from the north. Karachi has already been facing cold conditions, with temperatures dropping to single digits multiple times last month. The lowest temperature recorded was 9.1°C, followed by 9.5°C, indicating harsh winter conditions.
This weather update comes amid ongoing concerns over Karachi’s worsening air quality. On December 31, 2024, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a dangerous level of 237, categorized as “very unhealthy” by the Swiss air quality monitor IQAir.
The concentration of harmful PM2.5 pollutants, which can infiltrate the bloodstream and cause severe health problems, was recorded at 162 µg/m³—32.4 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended levels.
