KARACHI: The metropolis' cold weather was expected to intensify in January 2020, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director Sardar Sarfaraz said Monday. 

Karachi had recorded its lowest temperature — at 9.2°C — in the current winter season, he said. Prior to the current record, the city recorded its lowest at 9.5°C.

Western winds were expected to enter Balochistan from Iran from January 3, likely bringing rain to both Balochistan and Sindh, he added.

The current winter season is on a spree of breaking all previous records, as mercury in Peshawar dropped to a freezing -1°C after 36 years. Karachi, on the other hand, recorded its lowest (9.2°C), while Skardu reached a freezing -21°C.

Sindh’s education department was expected to increase the winter holidays after this week’s record-breaking temperatures, sources said. Separately, schools and colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa extended the holidays and would remain closed till Januray 7; however, the Sindh government was still considering such a move.