Supercell thunderstorm in Larkana on 14 March 2015Islamabad under dark cloudsSupercell thunderstorm in Faisalabad on 13th March 2020Lightning in Murree during the monsoon of 2005
The weather extremes in Pakistan include extremely high and extremely low temperatures, heaviest rainfalls and floodings. Pakistan has one of the highest temperature ranges in the world (temperature range refers to the difference between highest and lowest recorded temperatures ever) with proven weather conditions ranging from as high as like those in the Sahara desert, to as low as those like in Alaska making it one of the most climatically diverse countries in the world. The highest temperature ever recorded in Pakistan is 53.7 °C (128.7 °F) which was recorded in Turbat, Balochistan and Moenjo Daro, Sindh on 28 May 2017 and 26 May 2010 respectively.[1][2] It was not only the hottest temperature ever recorded in Pakistan but also the hottest reliably measured temperature ever recorded on the continent of Asia and the fourth-highest temperature ever recorded on Earth. The highest rainfall of the world of 620 millimetres (24 in) was recorded in Islamabad on 23 July 2001. That record-breaking rain fell in just 10 hours.[3][4]
Temperature
The standard measuring conditions for temperature are 1.2 meters above the ground out of direct sunlight (hence the term, x degrees "in the shade").
High temperature
Heat waves mostly occur during summer months but in Pakistan heat waves occur at any time period between April and September and bring high temperatures but most powerful heat waves occur in May and June. Some areas of southern Pakistan usually experience above 50 °C (122 °F) temperature and play havoc in these areas. The most deadly heat wave in the history of Pakistan is the record-breaking heat wave of summer 2010 which occurred in the last ten days of May. Heat spreads throughout the north-central part of the country including Punjab and KPK.
List of cities with temperature of 50 °C or above
Temperature extremes in Pakistan over 50 °C (122 °F) based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2022[5] and other sources[1]
It was the fifth-highest temperature ever recorded on earth and the second-hottest reliably-measured temperature ever recorded in the continent of Asia and it is the hottest city of Pakistan since 2010. 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for four consecutive days from 24 to 27 May 2010.
A severe heat wave with temperatures as high as 50 °C (122 °F) hit Pakistan, especially southern parts, in April 2017. This heat wave broke the old temperature records of many cities in the country in the month of April. Larkana, Sindh experienced the highest maximum temperature of 50 °C (122 °F) on 19 April and broke its old record of 48.5 °C (119.3 °F) which was recorded in April 2000. Other cities of the country also broke their old records of highest maximum temperatures in the month of April.[19]
Recorded temperatures
Extreme temperatures started to affect the parts of the country from mid-April and peaked on 19–20 April.
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Asia and the fourth highest temperature ever recorded in the world was in Mohenjo-daro, Sindh at 53.5 °C (128.3 °F) while the second-hottest temperature ever recorded in Asia and the fifth-highest temperature ever recorded in the world was in Larkana, Sindh at 53 °C (127 °F) on May 26, 2010. Twelve cities in Pakistan saw temperatures above 50 °C (122 °F) during the extreme heatwave of summer 2010, which lasted from May 22 to May 31, 2010.[20] On May 27, temperatures higher than 45 °C (113 °F) hit areas across Pakistan and at least 18 people died as a result.[21] Also, during the extreme heatwave season, 11 cities saw their highest-ever recorded temperatures of 50 °C (122 °F) or above, and five cities saw temperatures of 53 °C (127 °F). Eleven cities also saw extremes of more than 45 °C (113 °F) but below 50 °C (122 °F). The previous record for Pakistan and for Asia was on June 12, 1919, at 52.8 °C (127.0 °F) at Jacobabad.[8][9]
Low temperature
Cold waves mostly occur during winter months but in northern and western Pakistan cold waves occur at any time period between October and March and bring low temperatures but most powerful cold waves occur in December and January. Some areas of northern and western Pakistan usually experience below 0 °C temperature and play havoc in these areas. The coldest place in Pakistan can be the glacial parts of Gilgit Baltistan, where in winters the average temperature remains below -20. The K2 Peak has recorded a wind chill -65 °C.[22] The most deadly cold wave in the recent history of Pakistan is the record-breaking cold wave of winter 2020. Temperatures in the hottest places in Pakistan fell below 2 °C or more, as well as cities near the foothills of the Himalayas including Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore can record temperatures below freezing. It is not uncommon for Islamabad to receive snow in strong cold spells, the Khyber Hills in Peshawar, Hayatabad can also receive light snowfall.
List of Some Important cities of Pakistan with temperature of 0 °C or below Official data (according to Pakistan Metrological Department)
The standard way of measuring Rainfall or Snowfall is the standard Rain gauge, which can be found in 100-mm (4-in) plastic and 200-mm (8-in) metal varieties. The inner cylinder is filled by 25 mm (0.98 in) of Rain, with overflow flowing into the outer cylinder. Plastic gauges have markings on the inner cylinder down to 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) resolution, while metal gauges require use of a stick designed with the appropriate 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) markings. After the inner cylinder is filled, the amount inside it is discarded, then filled with the remaining Rainfall in the outer cylinder until all the fluid in the outer cylinder is gone, adding to the overall total until the outer cylinder is empty.
Rainfall
Pakistan receives Rainfall from both Monsoon and Western Disturbance. The Monsoon season occurs from July to September and brings a heavy downpour across the country except Western Balochistan. Western Disturbances occur from October to May and bring rainfall across the country with some heavy downpour in Northern Pakistan. But in June, Western Disturbances occasionally hit the northern parts of the country. Pre-Monsoon also occurs in this month occasionally but not always.
Heaviest rainfall in a single season
Record-breaking rainfall extremes in Pakistan over in a single season, based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2022[5] and other sources.
1,763.9 millimetres (69.44 in) Rainfall was recorded from 01.07.2022 to 26.08.2022 in Padidan as a result of a consistent Low Pressure Area over Northern Sindh. It was the heaviest rainfall in Sindh ever recorded.
Heaviest rainfall of 400 mm or above during 24 hours
Record-breaking rainfall extremes in Pakistan over 400 millimetres (16 in) or above during 24 hours, based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2016[5] and other sources.
620 millimetres (24 in) Rainfall was recorded in 10 hours, on 23 July 2001 in Islamabad as a result of a Cloudburst. It was the heaviest rainfall in islamabad and also heaviest in Pakistan.
Heaviest rainfall of 200 mm or above but below 400 mm during 24 hours
Record-breaking rainfall extremes in Pakistan over 200 millimetres (7.9 in) or above but below 400 millimetres (16 in) during 24 hours, based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020[5] and other sources.
Monsoon 2022 started with a bang in early July and week long rains were already affecting Sindh. However, a low pressure area developed over Bay of Bengal, which became depression before hitting Northern Sindh on 18 August. The depression became stationary over the northern areas of the province and caused unprecedented record-breaking rainfall in Larkana, Naushahro Feroze, Kambar Shahdadkot, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Dadu, Nawabshah, Shikarpur and other districts till 22 August. Another low pressure area hit the same part of the province on 25 August and caused heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall recorded during the month of August 2022 in Sindh
Heavy rainfall of more than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) recorded during the month of August 2022 in the province of Sindh particularly in Northern Sindh based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
An August like Monsoonal moisture hit the country in the first week of the month when a very low air pressure system (29") was formed over Kashmir that moved eastward into Northern Pakistan. The spell caused torrential Rainfall between 1 and 5 September that resulted in devastation to life and property. The last two days of the spell being extremely wet in Pakistan caused River Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej and Indus to overflow their banks.
Heavy Rainfall recorded during the wet spell of September 2014
After the severe drought conditions in Sindh during the months of July and August, an intense low-pressure area developed in Bay of Bengal in last days of August. The low-pressure area moved towards Sindh and brought torrential rains in Upper Sindh while rainfall, some heavy in other parts of Sindh during the first fortnight of September 2012. Highest rainfall was recorded in Jacobabad with the record of 481 millimetres (18.9 in) in just 7 days and 441 millimetres (17.4 in) in just 36 hours. Other records are 239 millimetres (9.4 in) in Larkana while 206 millimetres (8.1 in) in Sukkur. Larkana division was worst hit by heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spell of September 2012 in Sindh
Heavy rainfall of more than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) recorded during the wet spell of September 5 to 11, 2012 in the province of Sindh particularly in Upper Sindh based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
Record-breaking rainfall for the month of September.
Record-breaking torrential rainfall of August and September 2011 in Sindh
Heavy Rainy Clouds over Larkana during the wet spell of September 2011
In the month of July Pakistan received below normal monsoon rains; however, in August and September the country received above normal monsoon rains. A strong weather pattern entered the areas of Sindh from the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat in August and gained strength with the passage of time and caused heavy Downpour. The first Monsoon spell hit the southern parts of Sindh on 10 August. It produced record breaking widespread torrential Rainfall and resulted in floods in district Badin. The second spell hit the areas on 30 August and lasted until 2 September. In the month of September four more consecutive spells of monsoon rainfall devastated the southern parts of the province. The first spell of September hit the already inundated parts of the province on 2 September. Thereafter, the second spell hit on 5 September, the third on 9 September, and the fourth on 12 September 2011. The four spells of Monsoon produced even more devastating torrential Rains in the already affected areas of Sindh.
Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spells of August and September 2011 in Sindh
Heavy rainfall of more than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) recorded in the heaviest Monsoon spell in different areas of Sindh province in the months of August and September, 2011 based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.[57]
September 1 to 14, 2011 four consecutive spells of monsoon rains in Sindh.
August 1 to 14, 2011 first spell of monsoon rains in Sindh.
August 30 to September 4 second spell of monsoon rains in Sindh.
Record-breaking heavy rainfall of July 2010
Unprecedented heavy monsoon rains began in the last week of July 2010 in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions of Pakistan which causes floods in Balochistan and Sindh.[60] The floods which were caused by monsoon rains, and were forecast to continue into early August, were described as the worst in the last 80 years.[61] The Pakistan Meteorological Department said that over 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain fell over a 24-hour period over a number of places of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and more was expected.[62] A record-breaking 274 millimetres (10.8 in) of rain fell in Peshawar in 24 hours,[63] previously 187 millimetres (7.4 in) of rain was recorded in April 2009.[40] Other record-breaking Rains were recorded in Risalpur, Cherat, Saidu Sharif, Mianwali, and Kohat regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spell of July 2010
Heavy Rainfall of more than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) recorded during the four-day wet spell of July 27 to 30, 2010 in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.[38]
Pakistan receives snowfall from Western Disturbance. Western Disturbances bring snowfall from November to February across the mountainous and hilly areas of the country with some heavy snowfall in northern mountains and hills of Pakistan. Blizzards are common in northern mountains of the country. In February 2017, at least 14 people were killed and 9 injured by an avalanche in the Sher Shall area of Chitral district.[64][65]
Heaviest snowfall of 40" or above during 24 hours
Record-breaking Snowfall extremes in Pakistan over 40 inches (100 cm) or above during 24 hours based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020[5] and other sources.
Heaviest snowfall of 20" or above but below 40" during 24 hours
Record-breaking Snowfall extremes in Pakistan over 20 inches (51 cm) or above but below 40 inches (100 cm) during 24 hours based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020[5] and other sources.
A NASA satellite image showing the Indus River at the time of 2010 floods
Pakistan has seen many floods, the worst and most destructive is the recent 2010 Pakistan floods, which swept away the 20% of Pakistan's land, the flood is the result of unprecedented monsoon rains which lasted from 28 July to 31 July 2010. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and North eastern Punjab were badly affected during the monsoon rains when dams, rivers and lakes overflowed. By mid-August, according to the governmental Federal Flood Commission (FFC), the floods had caused the deaths of at least 1,540 people, while 2,088 people had received injuries, 557,226 houses had been destroyed, and over 6 million people had been displaced.[70] One month later, the data had been updated to reveal 1,781 deaths, 2,966 people with injuries, and more than 1.89 million homes destroyed.[71] The flood affected more than 20 million people exceeding the combined total of individuals affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[72][73] The flood is considered as worst in Pakistan's history affecting people of all four provinces and Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.[74] The climate in Pakistan is very unpredictable and extreme due to its geographical location with tropical plains and the world's highest peaks. Monsoon can be harsh due to close proximity with the monsoon areas of India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar. Floods in the mountainous regions of the country that cover about 70% of Pakistani Land can experience very dangerous landfall, avalanches, and the glaciers in the most distant and remote parts of the countries can bring danger to nearby villages.
The 2011 Sindh floods began during the Monsoon season in mid-August 2011, resulting from heavy Monsoon Rains in Sindh, Eastern Balochistan, and Southern Punjab.[75] The floods have caused considerable damage; an estimated 270 civilians have been killed, with 5.3 million people and 1.2 million homes affected.[76] Sindh is a fertile region and often called the "breadbasket" of the country; the damage and toll of the floods on the local agrarian economy is said to be extensive. At least 1.7 million acres of arable land has been inundated as a result of the flooding.[76] The flooding has been described as the worst since the 2010 Pakistan floods, which devastated the entire country.[76] Unprecedented torrential monsoon rains caused severe flooding in 16 districts of Sindh province.[59]
The other floods which caused destruction in the history of Pakistan, includes the flood of 1950, which killed 2910 people, On 1 July 1977 heavy Rains and flooding in Karachi, killed 248 people, according to Pakistan meteorological department 207 millimetres (8.1 in) of Rain fell in 24 hours.[77] In 1992 flooding during Monsoon season killed 1,834 people across the country[citation needed]. In 1993 flooding during monsoon rains killed 3,083 people across South Asia, of which fifteen were in Pakistan.[78] In 2003 Sindh province was badly affected due to monsoon rains causing damages in billions, killed 178 people, while in 2007 Cyclone Yemyin submerged lower part of Balochistan Province in sea water killing 380 people. Before that it killed 213 people in Karachi on its way to Balochistan.
A. ^ Indicates new record. Record-breaking extreme heat wave observed in the plain areas of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan where 50 °C (122 °F) or more was observed in 12 cities between 22 and 27 May 2010. Previous extreme heat wave conditions were observed in 1998, 2002 and 2007.
B. ^ Indicates new record. Record-breaking monsoon rains observed during the month of July, 2010 in northeastern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir.
