Chapter 2 Climate

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Chapter 2 “Climate”
Weather: It refers to daily changes in atmospheric conditions
(temperature , rainfall ,humidity and pressure ) for a short period of
time locally
Climate : The generalization of day to day weather conditions of a
particular area/region over a long period of time (33years)
Pakistan is divided into four climatic zones with respect to altitude
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1. Highland climate
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2. Lowland climate
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3. Arid climate
4. Coastal climate ur
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Features of Highland climate

● It includes Northern ,north western and western highlands of
Pakistan (Kashmir ,gilgit,kpk,and Balochistan)
● Rainfall and temperature depends on altitude the higher the

altitude lower the temperature and higher the rainfall
● Northern Mountains range from 2000 to 8000 m having cold
winters mild summers and rainfall in all seasons
● Western mountains range from 1000 to 4000 m having cool to
cold summer ,mild to warm winters and rainfall in winters only
● Summers are short mild and wet in Northern mountains but dry in
western mountains
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Features of Lowland Climate

● It includes the whole upper and lower indus plain excluding
coastal areas
● Mostly consist of arid and extreme climate with hot summers cool
winters and summer monsoon rainfall
● Rainfall increases from south to north
● Also receives rainfall from western depression
● Comparatively most irrigated and fertile land of Pakistan lies

under upper indus plain
● Continental effect drives the climate
Features of Coastal climate

● It includes southern coastal strip Indus delta Karachi and the
whole of makran coast
● Sea breezes dominates the climate throughout the year and keeps
it moderate
● Meritime effect dominates the climate
● Humidity level is mostly high reaching 50% in April to September
● Mean monthly temperature is 32 % May June are hottest months
● Rainfall is less and scanty mostly during monsoon season
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Features of Arid Climate ur
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● It includes south western desert of balochistan (Kharan)& South

eastern desert of Sindh (Tharparkar)
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● Dominated by dry and hot climate throughout the year

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● Hot Dusty wind prevails from may to September

● Low amount Scanty rainfall during winters in balochistan
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● Summer monsoon brings little rainfall in Sindh

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● Extreme heat dryness and dust storms are common
There are four climatic elements responsible for seasonal variations in

the climate of Pakistan
➢ Temperature
➢ Rainfall
➢ Pressure
➢ Winds
Factors effecting temperature of Pakistan
1. Angle of Sun and Latitudinal effect
Temperature and rainfall are both dependent either directly or

indirectly on the influence of the sun. The sun’s influence varies from
place to place due to factors like angle of sun at a particular place
As it is evident the Polar Regions or regions far away from the Equator
are generally cooler than the ones nearer the Equator. This is because
for solar radiation to reach the poles and heat them it has to travel a
larger distance in space, thus it loses its intensity (energy). Also near
the poles the radiation arrives at an oblique angle so solar energy
spreads over a large area. Since Pakistan lies in subtropical areas it does
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receive most of intense solar radiation concentrated on a small area
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thus the temperature in general is warmer. So in general terms
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Faisalabad will be cooler than say Hyderabad
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2. Altitude and temperature
The temperature is highly dependent on altitude, air density and

temperature.the air is densest at sea level due to water vapour
,dust particles and solar radiation and least dense at high altitude
because of less solar radiation is absorbed with less air to absorb
heat .there is an average drop of 6.5 C in temperature for each
1000 metre increase in altitude.
3. Cloud cover and Temperature
Temperatures decrease when clouds appear and block out the Sun’s
rays, which are then reflected back into space. However cloud
formation only takes place when air contains sufficient moisture and
has been sufficiently cooled. Thus cloudy days are much cooler than
sunny days during the same months.
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4. Continental effect:
It refers to all those areas having distance from the sea(interior region)
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hence does not gets maritime influence of the sea on

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temperature therefore the temperature is never moderate hence

extreme winters and summers are recorded.
Rainfall
Sources of rainfall in Pakistan :

I. Monsoon Winds
II. The Western Depression
III. Convectional Currents
IV. Relief rainfall

V. Tropical Cyclones
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● Monsoon Rainfall
Monsoons are seasonal winds that blow from sea towards land from
July to August (summers). After it they reverse their direction and blow
from land towards the sea (winters).
. There are two monsoon systems, one originating from the Bay of
Bengal and other from the Arabian Sea. Moist laden winds from high
pressure areas of sea blow towards land. From the east the monsoon
clouds are deflected along the Himalayas from Nepal to Pakistan. Along
the way these clouds rise, cool and thus condense eventually bringing
rainfall to Pakistan. They affect northern Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir
On the other hand another monsoon system that originates in Arabian
Sea also travels inland and delivers little rainfall to Sindh
● The Western Depression

These are wind systems that originate from the Mediterranean Sea
and travel eastwards towards Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since they
make a long journey they lose most of their water when they reach
Pakistan. During the winters (Late November to March) they bring
rainfall because during winters the Arabian Sea retains its warmth
and thus cold air from coastal areas flows towards sea.these western
depressions move from high pressure area (Mediterranean Sea)

towards the low pressure area (Indus Plains)
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● Convection
Convection rainfall occurs when the sun heats up the land. The air near
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the land absorbs heat by conduction, and thus gets less dense and
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rises. The moisture in air condenses to form clouds, and when this
air is cooled to a certain minimum level rainfall occurs
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● Relief Rainfall
Relief or orographic rain is formed when air is forced to cool

when it rises over relief features in the landscape such as
hills or mountains. As it rises the chilling causes
condensationand precipitation on the windward side and
forms rain. The leeward side becomes rainshadow
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● Thunderstorm
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Thunderstorms occur in the same fashion as convectional rainfall

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with the main difference being that the air here rises very quickly
forming Cumulonimbus clouds, which are very tall and big. This is
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followed by strong winds, lightning and heavy rainfall. Hailstones

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may also be formed, when the water vapours are cooled multiple
times (to form water first and then ice).
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● Cyclone
Cyclones are formed when the average temperature of large water
body exceeds 27° C, thus forming an area of very low pressure. This
area then draws further air from high pressure areas quickly. A cone
is formed when two oppositely travelling cold and warm winds meet.
Intense lightning followed by very strong winds and heavy rainfall
occurs. Their effects are similar to that of floods
CLIMATIC HAZARDS
I. Floods
Flood is a temporary covering of land by water which is dry. They can
be caused by variety of factors like
Heavy monsoon rainfall accompanied with melting of snow and ice
in glaciers causing excess of water in rivers, dam or barrage failure,
unusually high tides in coastal areas and by a tsunami
The indus tributaries overflow almost every year but only sometimes
the flood risk is serious.
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Floods can also be caused by following human reasons

● Deforestation
● failure to heighten or strengthen embankments
● poor medical and communication facilities in aftermath of
disaster
● inadequate warning systems to allow people time for escape
Benefits of flood
● restoring underground water supplies,
● filling reservoirs of dam
● makes the soil fertile by alluviam deposits
● increases fish production in the sea and land
Reducing Effects of Floods

● Dams could be built to contain and regulate the flow of water and
prevent flash floods
● Advanced warning systems should be installed in flood prone
areas to warn people to get out before it’s too late
● Medical and transport facilities be regularly updated and checked
● Embankments and levees should be heightened and strengthened
● afforestation and reafforestation projects should be carried out in
Northern Mountains to reduce run-off and thus reducing chances
of flash floods
Droughts
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There are four types of droughts

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● Permanent drought
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Occurs when crop cultivation is highly dependent on irrigation only

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● Seasonal drought
Occurs when rainy areas faces dry seasons for longer period then
usual
● Invisible drought
Occurs when water deficiency reduces crop yield but does not
destroy them
● Unpredictable drought
Caused by abnormally low rainfall in areas of humid climate
Effects
● Crop yields can be dramatically reduced and livestock
production could fall (milk, eat etc). This can raise prices of
goods and affect price of exported goods making them
uncompetitive in international markets thus harming national
interests
● Dust storms can occur, when drought hits an area suffering
from desertification and erosion. This can lead to siltation in
reservoirs of dam, hampering electricity generation and
weakening dam’s foundation
● Habitat damage, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
● Malnutrition, dehydration and related diseases could affect
millions
● Mass migration causing the increase in internal refugees or
international refugees
● Reduced electricity production could occur as reduced water

flow through hydroelectric dams leads to low industrial
production and less exports resulting in less foreign exchange
● Shortages of water for industries like (juice etc), which affects
employment and GDP
● Social unrest may follow leading to instability, which can
discourage foreign investment thus local sectors may suffer
from outdated machinery techniques etc resulting in low
production
● War could occur over natural resources, including lakes and
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fertile areas etc
● Wildfires can become common and can cause health hazard to
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people
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whatsapp: +92 323 509 4443, email: megalecture@gmail.

Pakistan is divided into four climatic zones with respect to altitude

Features of Highland climate

● Rainfall and temperature depends on altitude the higher the

Features of Lowland Climate

● Comparatively most irrigated and fertile land of Pakistan lies

Features of Coastal climate

● It includes south western desert of balochistan (Kharan)& South

● Dominated by dry and hot climate throughout the year

● Hot Dusty wind prevails from may to September

● Summer monsoon brings little rainfall in Sindh

● Extreme heat dryness and dust storms are common

There are four climatic elements responsible for seasonal variations in

Factors effecting temperature of Pakistan

1. Angle of Sun and Latitudinal effect

Temperature and rainfall are both dependent either directly or

2. Altitude and temperature

The temperature is highly dependent on altitude, air density and

3. Cloud cover and Temperature

hence does not gets maritime influence of the sea on

temperature therefore the temperature is never moderate hence

Sources of rainfall in Pakistan :

IV. Relief rainfall

● The Western Depression

depressions move from high pressure area (Mediterranean Sea)

Relief or orographic rain is formed when air is forced to cool

Thunderstorms occur in the same fashion as convectional rainfall

followed by strong winds, lightning and heavy rainfall. Hailstones

Floods can also be caused by following human reasons

Reducing Effects of Floods

There are four types of droughts

Occurs when crop cultivation is highly dependent on irrigation only

Caused by abnormally low rainfall in areas of humid climate

● Reduced electricity production could occur as reduced water

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