LAHORE  - Country remained in the grip of cold wave on Saturday with experts predicting the prevailing harsh weather conditions to persist during the next couple of days.
Besides severe cold, shallow/moderate fog and resultant low visibility hampered vehicular movement on intercity and intra city routes from late at night to early morning. 
Weather remained cold and dry in most parts of the country. Partly cloudy to cloudy conditions prevailed in upper parts of the country and light rain occurred at few places of Lahore division.  Astore remained coldest place in the country where mercury dropped 11 degree Celsius below freezing point.
Mercury dropped to -10 C in Parachinar and Skardu, -07 C in Gupis and Hunza, -06 C in Kalat, -05 C in Kalam and Gilgit.
Maximum and minimum temperature in Lahore was recorded 16 C and 07 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 55 per cent. In Lahore, clouds and morning showers increased chill in weather by decreasing daytime temperature. Lahore received 03 mm rain. However, minimum temperature slightly increased due to cloud cover.
Harsh weather conditions forced the people to avoid unnecessarily coming out, decreasing traffic on otherwise busy arteries in major cities including Lahore. Large scale load shedding and low gas pressure added to the woes of cold stricken people. Gas pressure was so low that women faced huge difficulties in cooking meals for their families.