Extreme weather in Pakistan includes everything from heavy rainfall and flooding to extremely low or extremely high temperatures. Pakistan has one of the highest temperature ranges in the world (temperature range refers to the difference between the highest and lowest recorded temperatures of a certain area). Temperatures can range from as high as those in the Sahara Desert, to as low as those in Alaska, making it one of the most climatically diverse countries in the world. The highest temperature that has ever been recorded in Pakistan is 53.8 °C (128.8 °F), which was recorded in Turbat, Balochistan, and Moenjo Daro, Sindh, on 28 May 2017 and 26 May 2010 respectively. It was not only the hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Pakistan, but it was also the hottest reliably measured temperature that has ever been recorded on the continent of Asia, and it was the fourth-highest temperature that has ever been recorded on Earth. On 23 July 2001, a rainfall of 620 millimetres (24 in) was recorded in Islamabad; the rain fell in just 10 hours.
Temperature Temperature is measured, as standard, at 1.2 meters above ground, and out of direct sunlight (hence the term x degrees "in the shade").
High temperatures In Pakistan, heat waves can occur at any time between April and September; the most powerful ones occur in May and June. Areas of southern Pakistan often experience temperatures above 50 °C (122 °F). The most deadly heat wave in Pakistan's history was the record-breaking heat wave of May 2010. Heat spreads throughout the north-central part of the country, including the Punjab and KPK.
List of cities with temperature of 50 °C or above This list is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2022, along with other sources.
List of cities with temperature of 45 °C or above but below 50 °C This list is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020, and other sources.
Record breaking heat wave of April 2017
A severe heat wave with temperatures as high as 50 °C (122 °F) hit Pakistan, especially its southern areas, in April 2017. This heat wave broke the old temperature records of many cities in the country for 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.
Recorded temperatures Extreme temperatures started to affect these parts of the country from mid-April and peaked on 19–20 April.
Record breaking 2010 summer heat wave The hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Asia, and the fourth highest temperature that has ever been recorded in the world, was recorded in Mohenjo-daro, Sindh, at 53.5 °C (128.3 °F). The second hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Asia and the fifth highest temperature ever to be recorded in the world was in Larkana, Sindh at 53 °C (127 °F) on May 26, 2010. Twelve cities in Pakistan saw temperatures that went above 50 °C (122 °F) during the extreme summer heatwave of 2010, which lasted from May 22 to May 31 of that year. On May 27, temperatures higher than 45 °C (113 °F) hit areas across Pakistan and at least 18 people died as a result. In addition, during the extreme heatwave season, eleven 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 extreme temperatures of more than 45 °C (113 °F), although they were below 50 °C (122 °F). The previous highest temperature ever recorded for Pakistan and for Asia was on June 12, 1919, at 52.8 °C (127.0 °F); this occurred at Jacobabad.
Low temperatures In northern and western Pakistan, cold waves can occur between October and March. The most powerful cold waves usually occur in December and January. During these cold waves, some areas of northern and western Pakistan often experience temperatures that are below 0 °C. Often, the place most affected by these cold waves is the glacial parts of Gilgit Baltistan, where, in winter, the average temperature remains below -20 °C. The K2 Peak has recorded a wind chill of -65 °C. The most deadly cold wave in the recent history of Pakistan was the record-breaking cold wave of winter 2020. Temperatures in the hottest places of Pakistan fell below 2 °C or more. Cities that are near the foothills of the Himalayas, including Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore, can record temperatures that are 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)
Precipitation The standard instrument for measuring rain or snowfall is the rain gauge.
Rainfall Pakistan receives rainfall from both monsoons and western disturbances. The Monsoon season occurs from July to September and brings a heavy downpour across the country, except in western Balochistan. Western disturbances occur from October to May and bring rainfall across the country, with some heavy downpour in northern Pakistan. In June, however, western disturbances occasionally hit the northern parts of the country. Occasionally, pre-monsoon weather can also occur in this month.
Heaviest rainfall in a single season Record-breaking rainfall in Pakistan that occurred over a single season. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2022 and other sources.
Heaviest rainfall of 400 mm or above during a 24 hour period Record-breaking rainfall that occurred in Pakistan, which reached over 400 millimetres (16 in) or above during a 24-hour period. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2016, along with other sources.
Rainfall between 200 mm and 400 mm during a 24 hour period Record-breaking rainfall that occurred in Pakistan, recorded to be between 200 millimetres (7.9 in) and 400 millimetres (16 in), during a 24-hour period. This is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020, along with other sources.
Record-breaking heavy rainfall of August 2022 in Sindh
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
