By Ishrat Jahan
KARACHI: Karachi is currently grappling with a resurgence of heat, driven by hot northwestern winds sweeping in from Balochistan. On Thursday, temperatures soared to 39.2 degrees Celsius, marking a notable rise in the city’s weather pattern. The heat index, largely influenced by a drop in humidity, felt like 39 degrees, and forecasts suggest that temperatures could exceed 38 degrees on Friday.
The weather on Thursday presented a brief respite, with a cool spell between night and morning. However, the temperature steadily climbed throughout the day, driven by the relentless hot and dry winds from Balochistan, pushing the mercury past 37 degrees by noon. According to the Meteorological Department, the maximum recorded temperature reached 39.2 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a humidity level of just 24 percent. This low humidity contributed to a heat index that mirrored the actual temperature, further intensifying the discomfort.
Looking ahead, the Early Warning Center has issued forecasts indicating that the hot and dry weather is expected to persist over the next three days. Winds are anticipated to predominantly flow from the northwest during the first half of the day, with the possibility of sea breezes returning in the evening. Chief Meteorologist Karachi, Sardar Sarfaraz, reassured the public that humidity levels between 20 and 30 percent would likely mitigate the risk of a heatwave developing.
