CLIMATE

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions (temperature,
rainfall, humidity, and pressure) of any place for a short period
of time. It is often localized.
Climate is a generalization of the day to day weather conditions
over a long period of time. Usually thirty years.
CLIMATIC ZONES
A Highland Zone
B Lowland Zone
C Coastal Zone
D Arid Zone
HIGHLAND CLIMATE
Areas: North and North Western and Western Highlands
Climate : Cold and snowy winters and short and mild summers.
Rainfall: The rainfall is associated with altitude .
Rainfall in the Northern Mountains is highest in the highland
Zone. The Western Mountains experience less rainfall.
From south of Kohat and Waziristan the rainfall decreases.
To the north west , Gilgit and Chitral also experience low
rainfall , as they are rainshadow areas.
Temperature: It also varies with altitude. Summers are short
mild and wet in the Northern Mountains but dry and warm in
the Western Mountains.
LOW LAND CLIMATE ( SEMI_ARID TO ARID)
Areas : Upper and lower Indus plain.
Climate: Arid and extreme climate with hot summers ,cool
winters.
Rainfall: Monsoon Rainfall and western depressions. The
amount of rainfall differs from north to south. The foothills of
the northern mountain and Potwar Plateau are wetter than the
Indus plain.
Thunderstorms are also common in the north and north west of
the Indus Plain.
The southern upper Indus Plain and the whole of the lower
Indus Plain have much less rainfall and spells of very high
TEMPERATURE.
COASTAL CLIMATE
Areas: Indus Delta, Karachi and the whole of the Makran Coast.
Climate: Sea breeze throughout the year/Maritime influence.
Humidity: The humidity level exceeds 50% from April to
September.
Temperature: Mean monthly temperature is 32c, May June and
Oct are the hottest months.During Oct dry winds from the
south-eastern desert dominate the climate.
Rainfall: Rainfall is scanty throughout the year.From Karachi
upto the Rann of Kutch, the coast experiences most of its
rainfall during monsoon season,while on Makran coast it falls in
winter.
ARID CLIMATE
Areas: south western Balochistan and the south eastern desert.
Climate: Dry and hot. Hot dusty winds from mid may to mid
september.
Rainfall: Scanty rainfall in the south western Balochistan occurs
during winter. In the south eastern desert ,summer monsoon
brings little rainfall.
Extreme heat ,dryness and dust storms are the main features of
this arid climate.
Effects of Climate on Life and Economic Activities of People in
Different Regions.
HIGH LAND ZONE (North)
Cold winters and mild summers.
Growth of trees is retarded and grass is buried under the snow.
Rivers and torrents freeze.
Farming is not possible.
People involved in indoor activities like carpet weaving ,
embroidery work , pottery etc.
Transhumance is practiced here.
The barren hills of KPK is sparsely populated.
Nomadic lifestyle is common. Being herdsmen keeping goats
and sheep.
The vale of Peshawar is the greenest part of this region.
In the extreme north , many areas are not accessible due to
landslides and heavy snowfall hampering transport links.
Limited job opportunities and economic activities are difficult to
carry out.
 HIGH LAND ZONE( South)
Towards the south Temperature increases in both summers
and winter.
The western highland and barren mountains of Balochistan are
also sparsely populated.
Lack of water supply discourages settlement.
Crop cultivation is also difficult.
However apples , mangoes , apricots and grapes are grown in
valleys with high altitude.
Arid Zone (Kharan)
South eastern deserts and the western desert ( Kharan
including Chagai hills)
Mild Winters , hot summers and extreme aridity.
Not ideal for habitation or cultivation.
Nomadic lifestyle is common
Underground irrigation system called Karez is practiced.
In the high land areas of Balochistan with cold and dry climate
and winter rains, fruits such as grapes , apples , peaches and
melons and crops such as millet , wheat and barley are grown.
 Arid Zone( south eastern Desert)
Under extreme temperature over 38C and low precipitation
crop cultivation is difficult.
However large areas have been reclaimed through the
construction of perennial canals. Where rice , wheat, cotton
and oilseeds are cultivated.
The remaining areas of Thar desert are still barren.
They wear thick and rough clothes to protect themselves from
hot winds and also wear turbans.
They also lead a nomadic life in search of water.
Low land Zone ( Semi-arid to Arid)
The plains of Punjab are fertile.
Its drained by the Indus and its tributaries.
In the daytime summers are extremely hot, winters are cool to
mild.
Punjab plain are the most productive agricultural region of
Pakistan.
There is a well developed canl irrigation system to raise crops
like wheat, millet, cotton and sugarcane.
 Coastal Zone (Sindh coast)
Sindh coast consist of Karachi , Thatta and Badin as important
centers.
Karachi has a mild climate with a low average precipitation
rate, the bulk of which occurs in july-August(monsoon season).
Humidity is high due to the sea and the summer heat gets
moderated due to the sea breeze.
The winter months are the best time to visit Karachi for social
events.
Due to the mild climate conomic activities can be carried out
throughout the year.
Farming is possible is also possible all year round through
irrigation channels)
Sea ports are open throughout the year.
Road and rail transport linked to inland areas are never closed.
All types of Industries from cottage and small scale to large
scale are operational throughout the year.
However tropical cyclones can cause damage to infrastructure
and farm lands of Indus delta.
Fishing is impossible when the sea is wild hence loss for
fishermen
 Coastal Zone (Makran Coast)
Makran Coast consist of Gwadar, Ormara and Pasni .
The climate here is dry and hot.
Max temp: 31C and 40C (June)
Min temp: 18C to 19C (January)
Humidity is high.
Rainfall is below 250mm.
The rain dependent reservoirs provide water to the Gwadar
district which is usually very low.
The moderate climate help the development of Gwadar port as
it would make it operational throughout the year.