KARACHI: The city endured intense heat on Tuesday as temperatures soared to 39.9°C, recorded at the main weather station.
The sweltering conditions were blamed on a stalled sea breeze, according to the weather department.
The oppressive heat lingered throughout the day and was made even more unbearable by humidity levels reaching 53%.
In some parts of Karachi, the mercury climbed even higher, touching 40.7°C at Jinnah Terminal and 40.5°C in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
Relief is on the horizon, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicts sea breezes will make a comeback today (Wednesday), easing the heat to some extent.
From tomorrow (Thursday), the city may see light rain and drizzle during the early hours and at night, thanks to low-level clouds moving in from the Arabian Sea.
The PMD’s Early Warning Centre has reported a humid air mass hanging over eastern Sindh, adding to the discomfort in the region.
Karachi is also likely to experience stronger winds on both Wednesday and Thursday, while most other parts of Sindh will continue to face hot and dry weather.
Anjum Nazeer Zaigham from the PMD explained that the recent heat wave is the result of a low-pressure system over the Indian Gujarat.
This system has interrupted the usual sea breeze that helps keep Karachi cooler, pushing temperatures higher over the last two days.
By late morning on Tuesday, the temperature had already crossed 39°C as the disrupted weather system stalled or slowed the cooling sea winds.
Thankfully, these breezes were expected to return by the evening, with chances of light rain and drizzle forecast for Thursday during the early morning and nighttime hours.