Karachi experienced its coldest morning of the winter season on Friday as temperatures in the metropolis plunged to 6.2 degrees Celsius, leaving residents bracing for an unusually sharp cold spell.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the minimum temperature was recorded at the city’s Jinnah International Airport, marking the lowest reading so far this winter. The Met Office said the overall minimum average temperature across Karachi stood at 8.5°C, which is around 3.5°C lower than the city’s normal seasonal average.
Other parts of the city also recorded single-digit temperatures. Bin Qasim saw the mercury drop to 8.6°C, while Gulistan-e-Jauhar recorded 8.7°C. Temperatures in Sharea Faisal and Mauripur were slightly higher at 9.5°C.
The sudden dip in temperature followed a brief spell of winter rain that swept across various parts of Karachi on Thursday. The rain, accompanied by strong winds, was caused by a westerly weather system affecting the port city. Several neighbourhoods, including Surjani Town, Musharraf Colony and Hub, were among the first to receive rainfall.
Light to moderate showers were also reported in North Karachi, II Chundrigar Road, Nagan Chowrangi, Malir, Ahsanabad, Dalmia, Scheme 33, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Buffer Zone and PECHS, with drizzle adding to the chilly conditions.
Following the rain, the city was enveloped in a cool and misty atmosphere, intensifying the winter feel. The PMD noted that the “feels like” temperature dropped even further on Friday, plunging to as low as 4°C in some areas due to cold winds.
Labourers and the homeless were seen gathering around fires early in the morning to keep warm, while many residents layered up to cope with the unexpected return of winter. The Met Office has advised citizens to take precautions, especially during early morning and late-night hours, as cool conditions are likely to persist in the coming days.
