Climate

Climatic Zones
• Pakistan is divided into four climatic zones with respect to altitude:
1. Highland climate
2. Lowland climate
3. Coastal climate
4. Arid climate

Highland Climate
• This region includes northern, north-western and western highlands
• Average range: 2000-8000 m
• Average height: 1000-4000 m
• Mild, short and wet summers in Northern Mountains
• Dry and warm summers in Western Mountains
Lowland Climate (Semi-arid To Arid)
• This region almost includes the whole of the Indus Plain
• Most parts lie at the western end of the tropical monsoon zone
• Arid and extreme climate
• Hot summers, cool winters and summer monsoon rainfall
• Amount of rainfall differs from north to south
Coastal Climate
• This region includes the southern coastal strip compromising the
Indus Delta, Karachi and whole of Makran coast
• Climate is dominated by sea breezes throughout the year
• In summer the land heats up while the ocean remains cool
Arid Climate
• The region includes the south-western Balochistan  and south-eastern
desert
• Dry and hot
• Most rainfall takes place in winter
• In summer, in the south-eastern desert brings little rainfall
• Extreme heat, dryness and dust storms
Climatic Elements

Temperature
• Cloud cover
• Continental effect
• Large spread of latitude 
• Diversity of relief
Rainfalls
• Monsoon winds
These winds are seasonal which blow during summer and winter. The rain
begins when summer sun heats up in tropical continents much faster. The
winds bring heavy rainfall in Karachi and coastal areas of Sindh.
• Western depressions
These are the cyclones which originate in Mediterranean Sea , travel
across Afghanistan and Iran then strike the north-western areas of
Pakistan and move to south-western parts. Rainfalls occur during
December – March.
• Convectional currents
 In summers when hot air reaches the high layers of atmosphere,
condensation takes place causing rainfall. Only northern and north-
western areas are affected.
• Relief rainfall
Relief rainfall occurs where moist unstable air moves up a mountain
and is chilled causing condensation and rainfall on windward side.