Cold Wave Engulfs Country from Karachi to Khyber

A significant cold wave has enveloped Pakistan, affecting regions from Karachi to Khyber, including the northern areas and Balochistan. This weather pattern has led to a sharp decline in temperatures across the country.

In the mountainous locale of Skardu, temperatures have plummeted to a frigid minus-9 degrees Celsius. Gilgit is experiencing similar conditions with a drop to minus-7, while Quetta and Kalat record temperatures of minus-6. Even the capital city, Islamabad, is not spared, with temperatures dipping to minus-1. The plains, too, are not exempt from the chill—Lahore is currently at six degrees Celsius, and Karachi, typically warmer, is now at a cool 10 degrees Celsius. These figures are indicative of the broader cold front affecting much of the nation.

The regions of Gilgit Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and adjacent hilly areas are under the radar for potential light rain and snowfall. This comes as a part of a weather phenomenon initiated by a westerly wave, which meteorologists had predicted to impact the upper parts of the country from December 7 onward.

This westerly wave is expected to create a drop in temperatures from December 8 to December 14, causing widespread cold conditions. Throughout this period, significant temperature drops are anticipated. Daytime temperatures in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir are projected to fall 4-6 degrees Celsius below normal levels, while Sindh and Balochistan could see temperatures 5-7 degrees below the norm.

The cold wave is also expected to bring with it cold and gusty winds, particularly impacting the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, and parts of Punjab. These winds could potentially lead to the formation of frost over the plains, adding to the winter chill.

Predictions highlight moderate rainfall and snowfall over hilly areas that include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Buner, Shangla, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Astore, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Kotli, Haveli, and Bagh. These conditions are expected to persist until December 11, albeit with some intermittent breaks.

The prevailing cold wave emphasizes the variability and extremes in weather patterns that are increasingly impacting regions globally. While offering a reprieve from the otherwise warm climate, the abrupt onset of such cold fronts can pose challenges, particularly for the vulnerable populations in remote and under-insulated areas. Residents are advised to stay updated on weather forecasts and make necessary preparations to safeguard against the biting chill.

As this cold wave unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the influence of large-scale climatic systems and the importance of preparedness in facing adverse weather conditions. The coming days will reveal further impacts, and continued vigilance is advised for those in the affected areas.