LAHORE: The persisting cloud cover and drizzle on Monday brought the maximum temperature in the city down to 10 degrees Celsius and the minimum to 7 degrees Celsius, and promises same conditions for the next 24 hours as well.

According to the Met Office forecast, the current rain-producing system is expected to move to the East (Indian side) by Tuesday evening. However, it will leave behind cloudy conditions (on Pakistani side) for another day or so and keep the temperatures down.

“Weather Wednesday onwards would depend whether clearing of clouds leads to sunny conditions or foggy situation. Both possibilities exist after Wednesday as high pressure systems normally follow such clearance of clouds, which can cause fog. The temperature might recover by five to six degree if sunny situation returns. However, even if it is foggy, it will be clearer and will not be harmful as it will be formed by clean particles. Luckily, another rain-producing system will enter Pakistan three to four days down the line and keep the air clean and refreshed,” says an official of the Met Office.

The city on Monday received around nine millimeters of rain, both in city and airport areas. The maximum temperature came down to 10 degrees Celsius and minimum to 6.8 degree Celsius.

A Met official says the same conditions will persist till Tuesday afternoon. The added factor on Monday was light wind, which blew at 10km per hour for the better part of the day and increased the impact of cold conditions.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2020