01-29-2011, 07:04 PM
Depending on the topography, there is an extreme variation in the temperature of Pakistan. The country is essentially arid except for the southern slopes of the Himalayas and the sub-mountainous tract where the annual rainfall varies between 760 and 1270 mm. This area has humid sub-Tropical climate. In the extreme north - because of great heights - Highland climate prevails. The controlling factors of the climate are:
1. The sub-Tropical location of Pakistan that tends to keep the temperature high, particularly in
summer.
2. The oceanic influence of the Arabian Sea that keeps down the temperature contrast between
summer and winter at the coast.
3. Higher altitudes in the west and north that keep the temperature down throughout the year.
4. The Monsoon winds that bring rainfall in summer.
5. The Western Depression originating from the Mediterranean region and entering Pakistan from the
west that brings rainfall in winter. These cyclones make a long land journey and are thus robbed
of most of the moisture by the time they reach Pakistan. 6. A temperature inversion layer at a
low elevation of about 1,500 m in the south during the summer, that does not allow the
moisture-laden air to rise and condensation to take place.
Temperature
Pakistan can be divided into four broad temperature regions:
1. Hot summer and mild winter: 32o C or more in summer and 10 to 21o C in winter.
2. Warm summer and mild winter: 21 - 32oC in summer and 10 to 21oC in winter.
3. Warm summer and cool winter: 21 - 32oC in summer and 0 - 10oC in winter.
4. Mild summer and cool/cold winter: Summer temperature between 10 and 21oC and winter
temperature between 0 and 10oC.
1. The sub-Tropical location of Pakistan that tends to keep the temperature high, particularly in
summer.
2. The oceanic influence of the Arabian Sea that keeps down the temperature contrast between
summer and winter at the coast.
3. Higher altitudes in the west and north that keep the temperature down throughout the year.
4. The Monsoon winds that bring rainfall in summer.
5. The Western Depression originating from the Mediterranean region and entering Pakistan from the
west that brings rainfall in winter. These cyclones make a long land journey and are thus robbed
of most of the moisture by the time they reach Pakistan. 6. A temperature inversion layer at a
low elevation of about 1,500 m in the south during the summer, that does not allow the
moisture-laden air to rise and condensation to take place.
Temperature
Pakistan can be divided into four broad temperature regions:
1. Hot summer and mild winter: 32o C or more in summer and 10 to 21o C in winter.
2. Warm summer and mild winter: 21 - 32oC in summer and 10 to 21oC in winter.
3. Warm summer and cool winter: 21 - 32oC in summer and 0 - 10oC in winter.
4. Mild summer and cool/cold winter: Summer temperature between 10 and 21oC and winter
temperature between 0 and 10oC.