Karachi Likely to Experience Shorter Winter This Year

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has indicated that Karachi is set to experience a shorter winter in 2024, with temperatures expected to drop around mid-November. Currently, the city is enduring unusually high temperatures, approaching 40°C, raising alarms among residents about the ongoing effects of climate change.

According to experts, this winter will be milder across Pakistan, including Karachi. The delayed arrival of winter serves as a stark reminder of the climate crisis, contributing to increased demand for beverages and fluids among the population.

While dry conditions are forecasted for much of the region, areas such as Lahore, Islamabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan may witness occasional rainfall and light snowfall.

At present, lower Sindh, including Karachi, is gripped by high temperatures, with daytime readings hovering between 38°C and 40°C. Meteorologists do not anticipate a reduction in heat intensity until the end of October, but the weather pressure is expected to ease by November 6 or 7, allowing daytime highs to drop to between 32°C and 34°C.

Despite expectations for an immediate break from the sweltering conditions, PMD has warned of three more days of intense heat, with “feels-like” temperatures also reaching around 40°C. Rural areas in Sindh, such as Sajawal, Thatta, Umerkot, and Mirpurkhas, could see temperatures rise as high as 42°C.

Chief Meteorologist Karachi, Sardar Sarfaraz, noted that humidity levels ranging from 20% to 30% will inhibit the development of a heatwave, while sea breezes are anticipated to return in the evenings. The Early Warning Center reported that rural Sindh could experience temperatures between 37°C and 39°C, while other districts are expected to face persistently hot and dry conditions.