The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a cold spell across Pakistan’s northern areas including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and northern parts of Punjab with temperature already below freezing point.

The forecast follows report of north China freeze that reached Shanghai earlier this month.

The National Weather Forecasting Center reported latest temperatures on Wednesday indicating Skardu had recorded a temperature of negative 9 degrees Celsius while other areas including Gilgit in GB and Rawalakot in AJK also remained below zero.

The weather will remain dry and cold in Murree, Gilyat, and surrounding areas, PMD said.

Meanwhile, several parts of Pakistan have been engulfed in dense fog. The Met has forecast that fog would continue for another two days.

Bahawalpur, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and other areas of Punjab will witness severe fog and smog in the early morning and late at night on Wednesday and Thursday, it said.

On the other hand, Sindh’s prediction indicates an increase in mercury compared to the previous week. According to the Met , a minimum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius has been recorded in Karachi and it is anticipated to increase to 14 Degrees Celsius in the afternoon.

A week ago, the PMD had predicted that a fresh wave of winter in Karachi would enter in the commence of January.

Additionally, the weather will remain cold and dry in most of the districts of the province.

There are chances of fog and smog in Jacobabad, Mohenjodaro, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Ghotki and Padaidan during morning and night hours.

The mercury will remain between 6 to 14 degrees Celsius in the said area.

Furthermore, the weather will be cold and dry in most of the districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while it will be very cold in the upper districts. However, it is expected to be partly cloudy in Chitral and surrounding areas with drizzle and light snowfall.

Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda Nowshera, Peshawar and DI Khan are likely to be covered with fog during the morning and night hours.