KARACHI: The Met Office on Tuesday forecast weak monsoon currents are penetrating the upper parts of the country and likely to continue during the next couple of days.

It said the monsoon currents are likely to strengthen from next week. Under the influence of this weather system, it said, pre-monsoon rain-wind-thundershowers are expected in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Gujrat, Sialkot, Sargodha Swat, Dir, Mansehra, Abbottabad Peshawar, Charsadda, Swabi and Mardan during the present week with occasional gaps. The monsoon rainy season is likely to start from next week in the upper parts of the country.

In the next 24 hours: Mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country while very hot in Sindh, south Punjab, and Balochistan. However, rain -thunderstorm with gusty winds are expected in Pothohar region, upper Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.

In the past 24 hours: Hot and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while very hot in central and southern parts. However, rain-wind-thunderstorm occurred in Islamabad, Balakot and Muzaffarabad. Balakot received 30 mm of the rainfall, Islamabad Saidpur 22 mm, and Muzaffarabad 5 mm. The highest temperature was recorded in Mohenjodaro 47 degrees Celsius, Dadu, Nokkundi, Dalbadin and Bhakkar 46, each.