Mercury falls to -12 in Astore as cold wave persists

Biting cold wave across the country continued with heavy fog engulfed various cities of Punjab and Sindh on Friday.As a result of heavy fog Motorways have been closed for traffic from different places including M2, M3 and M11.Severe cold wave in northern areas was also continued as in Astore the temperature was recorded minus 12, Gops, Skardu and Kalam, temperature was recorded minus 9, Quetta minus 4, Dir, Rawalakot temperature was minus 3, Muzaffarabad temperature was 2 degrees.According to the Meteorological Department, the weather is likely to remain cold and dry in most parts of the country for the next 24 hours.However, the Meteorological Department has forecast rain in the next 48 hours in Lahore.Chilling cold and fog reign in the city and fog obscured every scene of Lahore and visibility reduced as frost winds further intensified cold.In Lahore, temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius and maximum will reach 16 degrees Celsius.Lahore ranked 9th in global air pollution rankings as overall Air Quality Index hit record 166.On the other hand, Karachi’s recent cold wave has eased slightly and the maximum temperature recorded in the last 24 hours was 27.3 degrees Celsius and according to Metrological Department the intensity of the cold will remain low till January 12.The current temperature in the city is 16 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature is likely to reach 27 degrees Celsius.