CLIMATE &WEATHER OF PAKISTAN

Arid

Lowland Climatic Highland

Zones

Coastal
 HIGHLAND
 Regions include northern,
western & north western
mountains.
 Rainfall & temperature
differ with altitude.
 Winters are long an snowy.
 Summers are short and mild.
LOWLAND
 Regions includes all of the
Indus plain except costal
areas.
 Climate is arid.
 Summers are hot & winters
are cool.
 Summer monsoon rainfall
occur.
 ARID
 Regions include south-
western Baluchistan & south-
eastern desert.
 Extreme hot & dry weather.
 In south western
Baluchistan, scarce rainfall in
winter.
COASTAL
 Regions include Indus Delta,
Karachi & Makran coast.
 Humidity level is high.
 Rainfall is scarce all year.
 May, June & October are the
hottest months.

 Scarce rainfall in monsoon in

south eastern desert.
SEASON OF PAKISTAN

• APRIL TILL • JULY TILL

JUNE SEPT
• MONSOON

EARLY LATE
SUMMER SUMMER

POST
WINTER
MONSOON

• MID- • OCTOBER-
DECEMBER- MID-
MARCH DECEMBER
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS

TEMPRATURE RAINFALL

WIND PRESSURE
FACTORS AFFECTING TEMPERATURE
OF PAKISTAN

LATITUDNAL CONTINENTAL
ALTITUDE EFFECT
EFFECT EFFECT

LATITUDE &
CLOUD COVER
ANGLE OF SUN
- Latitudinal effect: Climate
changes with distance from
equator to poles
- Influences temperature and
weather patterns globally

- Altitude effect: Climate shifts

with elevation above sea level
- Typically results in cooler
temperatures and other
environmental changes
 CLOUD COVER:
- Reflects light back into space during
the day
- Traps outgoing heat at night,
increasing temperature
CONTINENTAL EFFECT:- Continental effect:
Land influences climate
- Causes more extreme temperature changes
between seasons inland
- Contrasted with more moderate changes in
coastal regions
ANNUAL RAINFALL OF PAKISTAN
SOURCES OF RAINFALL
MONSOON
WINDS

WESTERN CONVECTION
DEPRESSION CURRENTS

RELIEF TROPICAL
RAINFALL CYCLONES
 MONSOON WINDS

 Monsoon means season

 Summer monsoon winds
are called south-west
monsoons.
 Winter monsoon winds
are called north-east
monsoons
 SOUTH WEST MONSOON
WINDS
 These rainfall occur in
summer due to giant sea
breeze.

 It occurs when summer sun

heats tropical continent much
faster than ocean around.

 Warm air rising over the land

creates low pressure and
attracts moist air from the
sea.
 These winds push further
inland causing heavy rainfall
 NORTH EAST MONSOON

 They move from land

towards sea.

 In winter, high pressure

area is created over the
Tropic of Cancer.

 Winds blow from land to

sea which is a low
pressure area.
They are dry and bring no
significant change.
 WESTERN DEPRESSION
 They are cyclones
originating in
Mediterranean sea cross
Afghanistan & Iran & then
reaches Western
Pakistan.

 They move toward west

and south west.

 These winds cause rainfall

in southwest Baluchistan
e.g. Quetta.
EFFECTIVENESS OF RAINFALL:(ADVANTAGES)

SNOWFALLS FORMS SNOWFAL IN NORTHERN

SUPPLIES WATER FOR
GLACIERS IN THE AREA ATTRACTS
HEP PRODUCTION
NORTHERN MOUNTAINS. TOURISM

BARANI FARMING IN
LIGHT SHOWER
NORTHERN PAKISTAN PROVIDES WATER FOR INCREASE SOIL
DEPENDS ON WINTER RABI CROPS FERTLITY
RAINFALL
DISADVANTAGES:

- Snowfalls -HEALTH
- Transport gets -SNOW COVERS
PROBLEMS SUCH
decrease blocked due to AS ASTHAMA, GRAZING LAND
temperature in accumulated FROSBITE
AND LEADS TO THE
northern areas PRACTISE OF
snow TRANSHUMANCE

-AVALANCHES -DIFFICULTY IN CROP -LOW RAINFALL CAUSES

CAUSE DAMAGE TO PLANNING DUE TO DIFFICULTY IN CROP
THE ENVIRONMENT VARYING RAINFALL CULTIVATION IN BARANI
EACH YEAR FARMING
 CONVECTIONAL CURRENTS:-
Hot air rises and reaches higher
layers of the atmosphere
- Condensation occurs, resulting
in precipitation
- Primarily happens in the
northern areas of Pakistan

TEMPRATURE INVERSION LAYER:

- Southern areas of Pakistan
deprived of convectional
rainfall due to temperature
inversion layer
- Layer prohibits condensation
of warm air at 1600m altitude
- Results in descending warm
air and absence of rainfall
 Relief rainfall:-
Relief rainfall occurs
when moist air
encounters mountains
- Air is forced to
rise, cool down, and
condense, leading to
precipitation
- Windward sides
receive more rain,
while leeward sides
get less due to rain
shadow effect
- This process shapes
mountain climates
and ecosystems

RAIN SHADOW EFFECT:

- Rain shadow effect caused by mountains blocking moist air
- Precipitation on windward side, dryness on leeward side
- Rising air cools and releases moisture on windward side
- Descending air warms up, creating drier conditions on leeward side
- Contrast between wetter windward slopes and arid or semiarid leeward regions
PRESSURE AND WINDS:
- Summer in Pakistan: Land has
a low-pressure zone, seas have
a high-pressure zone
- Moisture-laden winds move
from high-pressure seas to
low-pressure land, causing
heavy rainfall
- Winter in Pakistan: Seas
have a low-pressure zone, land
has a high-pressure zone
- Moisture-laden winds move
from high-pressure land to
low-pressure seas

TROPICAL CYCLONES: -
Unreliable source of rainfall
- Mostly originates from
the Arabian Sea
- Acts as a source of
rainfall for the southern
parts of Pakistan
 EFFECTIVENESS OF RAINFALL :
NEGATIVE:
- Higher temperatures during the summer season over the Indus Plain lead
to higher evapotranspiration rates, exacerbating water loss from soil and
plants.
- Rain typically occurs in heavy showers, with soil often unable to absorb all
the moisture, leading to runoff.
- Much of the monsoon rainfall drains away, causing floods in low-lying
areas and posing challenges for flood management.
- Fluctuations in rainfall patterns make crop planning difficult, particularly
when rain deviates from normal levels.
- Winter rainfall is unreliable and insufficient, with most precipitation
occurring in western and northern regions, posing challenges for
agricultural planning and water management.
POSITIVE:
-EXTRA WATER CAN BE STORED IN THE RESERVOIRS OF DAM AND
BARRAGES WHICH CAN BE USED FOR IRRIGATIONAL PURPOSES.
-MOSTLY WINTER RAINFALL IS A GOOD SOURCE BECAUSE IT
COMES IN LIGHT SHOWERS WHICH ARE ABSORBED BY THE LAND.
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE ON LIFE AND
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF
DIFFERENT REGIONS:
HIGHLAND ZONE:- North/northwestern highland
zones: Severe winters, mild summers
- Stunted tree growth, snow-covered grass, frozen
rivers
- Infeasible for agriculture, indoor crafts like
weaving common
- Transhumance: Seasonal migration of flocks
- Pathan tribes migrate to lowlands for milder
temperatures
- Landslides, heavy snowfall hamper transport,
economic activities
- Low population density in western highlands
- Annual rainfall: 125-250 mm, mainly in winter
- High valley exceptions: Apples, mangoes, apricots,
grapes thrive despite arid conditions
- Arid Zone:-
-- Two main regions: southeastern deserts and Kharan
Desert (Chagai Hills)
- Climate: Low rainfall, cool-mild winters, scorching summers
- Nomadic communities: Brahuis, Balochis, Pathans migrate
with livestock
- 'Karez' irrigation: Underground canals sustain orchards
and fields
- Fruit cultivation: Highland Balochistan suitable for grapes,
apples, peaches, melons
- Desert regions in Sindh, southern Punjab: Meager rainfall,
intense summer heat
- Crop challenges: Extremely hot summers, minimal rainfall
- Agricultural development: Perennial canals facilitate
farming in southern Punjab, Sindh
- Cultivated crops: Rice, wheat, cotton, oilseeds
- Thar desert: Harsh environment prompts protective
clothing, nomadic lifestyle driven by search for water
Lowland zone-Semi-arid to Arid|
-- Fertile Punjab Plain: Drained by Indus and its tributaries
- Continental climate: Extremely hot summers, mild winters
- Economic significance: Most productive agricultural region in Pakistan
- Irrigation system: Well-developed canal network due to irregular rainfall
- Cultivated crops: Wheat, millet, cotton, sugarcane thrive with irrigation

COASTAL CLIMATE :
- Key areas: Sindh's delta coastline, Balochistan's Makran coast
- Karachi: Mild climate, low precipitation, monsoon in July-August
- Makran Coast: Dry, hot climate, annual rainfall < 250 mm
- Gwadar District: Water supply affected by precipitation
- Economic activities: Year-round farming in Sindh, ports open year-round
- Summer challenges: Cyclones cause flooding, rough seas affect fishing
communities
WHAT ARE RIVER FLOODS?
- River floods result from water
levels exceeding the river's
capacity
- Caused by heavy rainfall and
rapid snowmelt

CAUSES:
Natural factor:
●MELTING SNOW
●HEAVY MONSOON RAINFALL
Human factor:
●CUTTING TREES ON
FOOTHILLS, INCREASING
SURFACE RUNOFF
●FAILURE TO STRENGTHEN
EMBANKMENTS ALONG RIVERS
●Dams fail to store extra water
due to limited capacity
 -PLANTING TREES
ON FOOTHILLS
- Evacuation of
flooded areas -ENLARGEMENT
OF RIVER
- Rehabilitation of CHANNELS
flood victims PREVENTATIVE
MEASURE TO
AVOID FLOODS -BUILDING
-PUBLICISING
EMBANKMENTS
FLOOD
ON RIVER
WARNINGS
CHANNEL
-BUILDING EXTRA
RIVER CHANNEL
 EFFECTS OF
FLOODS

NEGATIVE

- Roads and railway

-Mud houses would be -Spread of water-
links damaged or
severely damaged borne diseases
destroyed

- Crop destruction due

- Land unusable for to heavy rainfall
farming until water
drains away - Reduction in precious
food supplies
 EFFECTS OF
FLOODS

POSITIVE

- Floods return - Spread a layer of

nutrients to the land -FLOODS RECHARGE alluvium
GROUND WATER
- Contribute to SUPPLIES - Increase soil
wetlands' health fertility

- Heavy rainfall leads

-THEY ALSO BOOST to crop destruction
FISH PRODUCTION
IN ARABIAN SEA - Reduction in precious
food supplies
 STORMS: Storms are atmospheric
disturbances characterized by strong
winds, precipitation, and often other
meteorological phenomena like thunder,
lightning, and sometimes hail or snow

THUNDERSTORMS: TROPICAL CYCLONES:

- Localized storms with thunder and
lightning
- Heavy rain, strong winds, and possibly
hail
- Formed by rapid ascent of warm,
moist air in unstable atmosphere
- Cumulonimbus cloud development
DUST STORMS: - Tropical cyclones form over warm
ocean waters in tropical regions
- Dust storms caused by strong
winds lifting dust and sand - Development from clusters of
thunderstorms fueled by ocean heat
- Reduced visibility, crop damage, and moisture
and respiratory health impacts - Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and
storm surges are typical characteristics

- Common in north and
northwestern Pakistan
- Typically occur in the
summer or post-monsoon
season
- Originates in southern plains
and northwestern parts of
Balochistan
- Typically occurs during the
summer season
- Originates from the Arabian
Sea
- Mostly impacts the coastal
areas of Sindh and
Balochistan
WHEN CROP OCCURS IN
CULTIVATION AREAS WITH
IS NOT WELL
POSSIBLE DEFINED
WITHOUT RAINY AND
IRRIGATION DRY
PERMANENT SEASONAL SEASONS
DROUGHT DROUGHT

UNPREDICT
INVISIBLE
ABLE
DROUGHT
DROUGHT
OCCURS DUE TO OCCURS DUE
ABNORMALLY TO WATER
LOW RAINFALL DEFICIENCY
AND IN AREAS THAT
WITH HUMID REDUCES
CLIMATE CROP YIELD
 UNRELIABILITY
OF MONSOON
WINDS
- Hot/dry winds OVERGRAZING
decrease moisture
content OF LAND
- Lower humidity levels REDUCES SOIL
due to hot/dry winds FERTILITY
CAUSES OF
DROUGHT
GLOBAL MISMANAGEMENT
CLIMATE KEEPS OF WATER
CHANGING RESOURCES

DEFORESTATION
ON FOOTHILLS OF
MOUNTIANS
 DROP IN WATER TABLE
- Reduced water availability
for human consumption

EFFECTS OF
DROUGHT ON
PHYSICAL
ENVIRONME
NT

DESERTIFICATION:
EXPOSED SOIL LEADS TO SOIL - Negative
impact on
EROSION,DUST STORMS,RISE fisheries and aquatic life
IN TEMPRATURE AND LOSS OF - Algae overgrowth in
VEGETATION
shallow water bodies
POPULATION:
-FAMINE
-MIGRATION

EFFECTS OF
DROUGHT ON
HUMAN
ENVIRONMENT
ECONOMY:
-CROP
FAILURE
-DEATH OF
LIVESTOCK
 WATER STORAGE
SCHEMES
-RESERVOIRS OF
DAMS
-TARDITINAL
WATER TANKERS
-PERENNIAL CANAL

DROUGHT
MANAGEMNET

THE USE OF NEW

PLANNING TECHNOLOGY-
Desalination of seawater
AND
- Filtration to convert
MANAGEMENT wastewater into clean
OF WATER water
RESOURCES - Cultivation of drought-
resistant crop varieties