Karachi remained under the grip of icy winds as a cold wave continued to affect the city, with the minimum temperature dropping to 8.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department reported.

According to the Met Office, the current temperature stands at around 10 degrees Celsius, while the cold spell is expected to continue until the end of January.

The dry weather with cold nights is likely to persist for the next 24 hours, officials said.

The department forecast that maximum temperatures on Saturday are expected to range between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius.

Humidity levels were recorded at 57 per cent, with cold winds blowing from the northeast at a speed of 11 kilometres per hour.

Temperatures dropped across various parts of the city.

At Jinnah Terminal, the mercury fell to 6.2 degrees Celsius, while Gulistan-e-Johar recorded 8.7 degrees.

The minimum temperature on Sharea Faisal was 9.5 degrees, and Bin Qasim recorded 8.6 degrees Celsius.

Air quality in the city has improved, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Karachi currently ranks 38th among the world’s most polluted cities, with particulate matter levels recorded at 93.