Climate of Karachi: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Cliamte.jpg|thumb|right|Iconic View Of Karachi]] |
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{{more citations needed|date=February 2019}} |
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[[Karachi]] features an [[arid climate]], albeit a more moderate version of this climate. [[Karachi]] is located on the coast and as a result has a relatively mild [[climate]]. The level of precipitation is low for most of the year. However, due to the city's proximity to the sea, [[humidity]] levels usually remain high throughout the year. The city enjoys mild winters and warm summers. Karachi also receives the tail end of the [[monsoon]] rains. Since summer temperatures (the end of April through the end of August) are approximately 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, the winter months (November through March) are the best time to visit Karachi. The month of July generally observes annual [[monsoon]] rainfall. December, which is the most popular month for social events such as weddings, fundraisers and charity balls, is frequently the time when most visitors, tourists and expatriates come to Karachi. |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} |
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{{coord|24|51|N|67|02|E|display=title}} |
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<br clear=all><!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather |
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[[Karachi]] has a tropical [[semi arid]] climate ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''BSh''; [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''BShb''), albeit a moderate version of this climate, influenced by monsoons. Karachi has a tropical climate, despite being located slightly above the Tropic of Cancer. It is situated in the monsoon region of Pakistan. It is located on the coast bordering the [[Arabian Sea]], and as a result, has a relatively mild [[climate]]. However, in more recent years, rainfall has become more abundant, with annual rainfall projected to reach over 500 mm by 2100. For this reason, the city may be classed as almost [[semi-arid]] (''BSh''), since it has a mild climate with a short but defined wet season, along with a lengthy dry season. |
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|metric_first= Yes |
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|single_line= Yes |
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|location = Karachi, Pakistan |
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|Jan_Hi_°C = 25 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C = 32 |
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|Feb_Hi_°C = 26 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C = 34 |
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|Mar_Hi_°C = 29 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C = 41 |
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|Apr_Hi_°C = 32 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C = 44 |
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|May_Hi_°C = 34 |May_REC_Hi_°C = 48 |
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|Jun_Hi_°C = 34 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C = 46 |
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|Jul_Hi_°C = 33 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C = 43 |
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|Aug_Hi_°C = 31 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C = 37 |
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|Sep_Hi_°C = 31 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C = 41 |
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|Oct_Hi_°C = 33 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C = 42 |
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|Nov_Hi_°C = 31 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C = 38 |
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|Dec_Hi_°C = 27 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C = 33 |
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|Year_Hi_°C = 34 |Year_REC_Hi_°C = 48 |
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|Jan_Lo_°C = 13 |Jan_REC_Lo_°C = 0 |
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|Feb_Lo_°C = 14 |Feb_REC_Lo_°C = 3 |
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|Mar_Lo_°C = 19 |Mar_REC_Lo_°C = 7 |
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|Apr_Lo_°C = 23 |Apr_REC_Lo_°C = 12 |
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|May_Lo_°C = 26 |May_REC_Lo_°C = 18 |
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|Jun_Lo_°C = 28 |Jun_REC_Lo_°C = 22 |
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|Jul_Lo_°C = 27 |Jul_REC_Lo_°C = 22 |
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|Aug_Lo_°C = 26 |Aug_REC_Lo_°C = 20 |
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|Sep_Lo_°C = 25 |Sep_REC_Lo_°C = 18 |
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|Oct_Lo_°C = 22 |Oct_REC_Lo_°C = 10 |
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|Nov_Lo_°C = 18 |Nov_REC_Lo_°C = 6 |
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|Dec_Lo_°C = 14 |Dec_REC_Lo_°C = 1 |
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|Year_Lo_°C = 13 |Year_REC_Lo_°C = 0 |
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Karachi has two main seasons; summer and winter, while spring and autumn are very short. The Summer season persists for the longest period during the year. Karachi also receives the rains from late June to mid-September (Monsoon). The city experiences a tropical climate encompassing warm and dry winters and very hot, humid and rainy summers. The [[humidity]] levels usually remain high from March to November, while they are very low in winter as the wind direction in winter is north-east. |
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<!--**** use mm or cm but not both! ****--> |
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The temperature in winter season sometimes goes below 10 °C and day temperature is about 26 °C. |
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|Jan_Precip_cm = |Jan_Precip_mm = 13 |
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|Feb_Precip_cm = |Feb_Precip_mm = 10 |
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|Mar_Precip_cm = |Mar_Precip_mm = 8 |
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|Apr_Precip_cm = |Apr_Precip_mm = 3 |
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|May_Precip_cm = |May_Precip_mm = 3 |
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|Jun_Precip_cm = |Jun_Precip_mm = 18 |
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|Jul_Precip_cm = |Jul_Precip_mm = 85 |
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|Aug_Precip_cm = |Aug_Precip_mm = 61 |
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|Sep_Precip_cm = |Sep_Precip_mm = 13 |
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|Oct_Precip_cm = |Oct_Precip_mm = 0 |
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|Nov_Precip_cm = |Nov_Precip_mm = 3 |
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|Dec_Precip_cm = |Dec_Precip_mm = 5 |
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|Year_Precip_cm = |Year_Precip_mm = 222 |
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|source = <ref>[http://www.met.gov.pk/cdpc/karachi.htm met.gov.pk]</ref> & <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT002700 bbc.co.uk/weather]</ref> |
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|accessdate = 5.08.2009 |
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}}<!--Infobox ends--> |
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On 27 December 2021, the metropolis broke a 13-year record and experienced the coldest day with the maximum temperature dropping to {{convert|19|C|F}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winter breaks 13-year record in Karachi |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/390099-winter-breaks-13-year-record-in-karachi |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Monthly break up of climate== |
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The following is the monthly breakup of the weather in Karachi. |
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== |
== Charts == |
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{{Weather box |
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In the month of January, the cold conditions continue in the city and sometimes get very cold due to [[Western Disturbance]]. The highest temperature recorded was 32.5 °C in 1996. Humidity remains low in January. Beside this many functions are held in this month like weddings, ceremonies etc. Rains in this month is light rarely it gets heavy. But the sky remains overcast. The highest rainfall of this month is of 84.5mm which occurred in 1995. The lowest temperature recorded was in the year 1934, which was of 0.0 °C. |
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| width = auto |
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| location = Karachi |
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| metric first = Y |
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| single line = Y |
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| Jan record high C = 32.8 |
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| Feb record high C = 36.5 |
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| Mar record high C = 42.5 |
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| Apr record high C = 44.4 |
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| May record high C = 47.8 |
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| Jun record high C = 42.0 |
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| Jul record high C = 42.2 |
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| Aug record high C = 41.7 |
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| Sep record high C = 42.8 |
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| Oct record high C = 43.3 |
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| Nov record high C = 38.5 |
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| Dec record high C = 34.5 |
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| Jan high C = 28.2 |
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| Feb high C = 28.4 |
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| Mar high C = 32.2 |
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| Apr high C = 34.7 |
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| May high C = 35.5 |
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| Jun high C = 35.4 |
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| Jul high C = 33.3 |
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| Aug high C = 32.1 |
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| Sep high C = 33.2 |
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| Oct high C = 35.5 |
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| Nov high C = 32.5 |
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| Dec high C = 28.2 |
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| Jan mean C = 20.5 |
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| Feb mean C = 21.2 |
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| Mar mean C = 25.4 |
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| Apr mean C = 28.8 |
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| May mean C = 31.0 |
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| Jun mean C = 31.8 |
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| Jul mean C = 30.4 |
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| Aug mean C = 29.2 |
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| Sep mean C = 28.7 |
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| Oct mean C = 27.8 |
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| Nov mean C = 24.6 |
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| Dec mean C = 20.4 |
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| Jan low C = 12.7 |
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| Feb low C = 14.0 |
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| Mar low C = 18.6 |
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| Apr low C = 23.0 |
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| May low C = 26.6 |
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| Jun low C = 28.3 |
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| Jul low C = 27.6 |
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| Aug low C = 26.3 |
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| Sep low C = 25.6 |
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| Oct low C = 21.9 |
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| Nov low C = 16.8 |
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| Dec low C = 12.7 |
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| Jan record low C = 0.0 |
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| Feb record low C = 3.3 |
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| Mar record low C = 7.0 |
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| Apr record low C = 12.2 |
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| May record low C = 17.7 |
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| Jun record low C = 22.1 |
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| Jul record low C = 22.2 |
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| Aug record low C = 20.0 |
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| Sep record low C = 18.0 |
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| Oct record low C = 10.0 |
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| Nov record low C = 6.1 |
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| Dec record low C = 1.3 |
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| Jan precipitation mm = 8.6 |
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| Feb precipitation mm = 9.4 |
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| Mar precipitation mm = 15.3 |
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| Apr precipitation mm = 15.7 |
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| May precipitation mm = 6.1 |
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| Jun precipitation mm = 55.8 |
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| Jul precipitation mm = 103.2 |
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| Aug precipitation mm = 78.9 |
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| Sep precipitation mm = 39.6 |
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| Oct precipitation mm = 17.6 |
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| Nov precipitation mm = 0.4 |
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| Dec precipitation mm = 2.8 |
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| Jan precipitation days = 0.7 |
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| Feb precipitation days = 0.8 |
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| Mar precipitation days = 0.7 |
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| Apr precipitation days = 1.2 |
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| May precipitation days = 0.1 |
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| Jun precipitation days = 3.9 |
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| Jul precipitation days = 6.5 |
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| Aug precipitation days = 6.3 |
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| Sep precipitation days = 1.7 |
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| Oct precipitation days = 1.3 |
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| Nov precipitation days = 0.1 |
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| Dec precipitation days = 0.7 |
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| source 1 = PMD (2022) <ref name= PMD>{{cite web |
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|url = http://ffd.pmd.gov.pk/cp/ffd.php |
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|title = Flood Forecasting Division Lahore |
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|access-date = 25 February 2020}}</ref> |
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| source 2 = <ref name= PMDE>{{cite web |
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|url = http://www.pmd.gov.pk/cdpc/extrems/karachi.htm |
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|title = Krachi Extremes |
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|publisher = Pakistan Meteorological Department |
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|access-date = 1 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="ogimet">{{cite web |url=https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=41780&ano=2022&mes=3&day=30&hora=12&min=0&ndays=30|title= 41780: Karachi Airport (Pakistan)|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 29 March 2022|website=ogimet.com |publisher=OGIMET |access-date= 30 March 2022|quote=}}</ref> |
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| source = |
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}} |
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== |
== January == |
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The month of January is the coolest month of the year in the city, with mostly clear skies and a constant N, NE breeze blowing. The influx of very cold and very dry Siberian winds (called "Quetta Waves" in common parlance), bring brief and cold spells to the region, dropping the night temperatures to below 10 degrees Celsius. Western Disturbances from the Persian Gulf and Iran affect the city during this time, bringing with them light rainfall. The highest rainfall during this month was {{convert|89.3|mm|in}}, which was recorded in 1995.<ref name="pakmet">{{cite web |url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/Climate/Karachi_Climate_Data.txt |title= PakMet|website=www.pakmet.com.pk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613053222/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/Climate/Karachi_Climate_Data.txt |archive-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> The highest temperature of {{convert|32.8|C|F}} was recorded in January 2018.<ref name=pakmet/> The average high for the month is 24.6 °C while the average low for the month is a mild 6 °C. |
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From first till second week or so, the cold conditions continue but after that the weather starts to heat a little bit. Like in January, the first week of February is cold and the sky remains overcast with [[drizzle]] or light rain. One good rainy day is also expected in the start of february as a result of western disturbance. Humidity remains between 40-60%. The lowest temperature was 3°C in 1950 and highest is 34.1°C in 1996. The highest rainfall is of 264.7mm that occurred in 2003. |
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The lowest temperature was 0.0 °C |
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===March=== |
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[[File:Foggy Karachi.jpg|thumb|left|Foggy morning in the winter of Karachi.]] |
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== February == |
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Till the beginning of March the weather had been turned hot. The lowest temperature ever recorded was 7°C in 1979 and the highest was 41.5 in 2004. Being a hot month there is no rain, yet Drizzle could occur rarely. March is the annual spring season in Karachi after winter, Spring brings beautiful flowers in the city that light up the mood of citizens, Many flowers shows are also held in the city in March. A weather system dumped 130.0mm rain in 1967, which is March's highest rainfall for the city. Again the highest temperature was recorded in 2010, which is of 41.5°C. |
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The cold waves can affect the metropolis until the middle of the month, after which a warming trend begins in the city. The relative humidity also tends to increase after the middle of the month. The lowest temperature was {{convert|3.3|C|F}} on 11 February 1950 and the highest was {{convert|36.5|C|F}} on 27 February 2016.<ref name=pakmet/> The highest monthly rainfall of {{convert|96|mm|in}} was recorded in 1979.<ref name=pakmet/> Western depressions can continue to affect the city during this month, often causing overcast skies and light to moderate rainfall. The intensity of rainfall in February is relatively higher compared to the preceding month. The average high for the month is a pleasant 27.7 °C whereas the lows hover around 15 °C. |
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== |
== March == |
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Weather turns quite warm with the start of March, with increasing humidity and intensity of sunshine. The highest temperature was recorded at 42 °C in 2004, and then again in 2010 and 2022.<ref name=pakmet/><ref name="ogimet" /> March is considered spring time in the city, when the skies are usually clear blue and W/SW breeze dominates, making the outdoors much more pleasant. Western depressions can bring moderate to at times even heavy rainfall. In the recent years, Karachi has received quite heavy rainfall in the month of March, for instance on 18 March 1997, the city received 25 mm rainfall from an overnight thunderstorm. On 11 March 2007, a strong western depression gave up to 35 mm rainfall in the city, during which intermittent moderate to heavy rain continued in the metropolis from morning until midnight. On 19 March 2007, once again an isolated heavy downpour lashed the city, in which the northern parts (North Karachi) received 53 mm rainfall in less than an hour, while other areas received lesser precipitation.on 13 March 2015, an overnight dose of heavy rain lashed mainly the southern and SE areas of the city. Between 10 and 15 mm rainfall was recorded in these areas within 15 minutes. However, Gulshan-e-Hadeed observatory (located ESE of the metropolis in the outskirts), received 40 mm downpour on the same night.Most recently on 1 march 2024 the city received heavy rainfall all day.The all-time high for the month was a mighty {{convert|130|mm|in}}, recorded in 1967, which is March's highest rainfall for the city.<ref name=pakmet/> |
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The [[heatwave]] of March continues in April as well. Temperature starts to increase and weather remains dry and hot. The Humidity remains between 65-75%. Highest temperature ever recorded was of 44°C in 1947 and lowest temperature was 12.2°C in 1967. Rain is uncommon in this month being dry and hot. The highest rainfall occurred in 1935, which was of 53.4mm. |
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== |
== April == |
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Moving into April, the temperatures and humidity see an increasing trend. The highest temperature of April was {{convert|44.4|C|F}}, recorded on 16 April 1947, while the lowest temperature of {{convert|12.2|C|F}} was recorded on 29 April 1967.<ref name=pakmet/> The highest monthly rainfall of {{convert|52.8|mm|in}} was recorded in 1935.<ref name=pakmet/> The average high for the month is 34.3 °C while the average low is 22.3 °C. Although it is rare for the metropolis to get rainfall in this month, in recent times, April 2013 was quite exceptional as the metropolis was blessed by heavy rain on three occasions: On 2 April 2013, a thunder storm gave heavy rain in northern parts of the city where 12.6 mm rain was recorded. On 8 April 2013, a strong western depression from the Persian Gulf affected the city, giving widespread heavy rainfall in the morning hours, accompanied by strong winds; a maximum of 28 mm rainfall was recorded. On 22 April 2013, a strong thunderstorm ripped across the metropolis at mid-day, giving very heavy rainfall specially in central, NW and southern parts of the city. Downtown (Saddar) observatory in south Karachi received an accumulation of 66 mm for the month, however, the record for the highest rainfall in April stands unbroken because the record of 52.8 mm in 1935 was set at the Airport observatory, while the total rainfall recorded at the Airport in April 2013 was 29 mm. The April 2015 was very warm in Karachi, as it was 2.4 °C warmer on average compared to a standard April. |
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May is the hottest month of Karachi with temperatures sometimes above 40°C. The hottest May was in 1938, when temperatures touched 48°C. The humidity is quite high in this month as well between 70-80%. Traffic remains low during rush hours due to intense heat and humidity. People are offered freash and cold drinks on the streets like [[Sharbat]], [[Kheer]] and soft drinks. While the Sky remains cloudless. Highest rain in this month was only 33mm that occurred in 1933, while the average rainfall for this month is 3mm. In 1999, 2001 and 2010 three major [[cyclones]] were formed that came close to Karachi, with 1999 Cyclone (the fourth strongest cyclone of [[Arabian Sea]]) hitting close to karachi, While the [[2001 India cyclone]] (the third strongest cyclone of Arabian sea) making landfall near Indian border and the 2010 cyclone, [[Cyclone Phet]] (second strongest cyclone) making landfall also close to karachi in June. |
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== |
== May == |
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May is the hottest month in Karachi, highest temperature was recorded on 9 May 1938, when temperatures reached {{convert|47.8|C|F}} while the lowest temperature was {{convert|17.7|C|F}}, recorded on 4 May 1989.<ref name=pakmet/> The humidity in the month is quite high, often surpassing 60% and coupled with temperatures ranging between 35 and 37 °C, the heat indices are generally quite high, making the outdoors highly uncomfortable. Rainfall in May is a rare occurrence. Recently, a very strong thunderstorm affected the metropolis during the early hours of 2 May 1997. 40 mm rainfall was recorded at Masroor Base, while the Airport received 6 mm rain. The highest monthly rain that occurred was in May 1933, when {{convert|33|mm|in}} rain lashed the city.<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm Karachi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422011000/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm |date=22 April 2010 }}. Pakmet.com.pk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref> In 1999, 2001 and 2010, three major [[cyclones]] formed that came close to Karachi. The 1999 cyclone (the fourth strongest cyclone of the [[Arabian Sea]]) hit close to Karachi, along the coast of [[Thatta]] and [[Keti Bandar]] giving massive rainfall and causing widespread damage in these areas while the city of Karachi only received very strong NE winds, with light showers (traces). [[2001 North Indian Ocean cyclone season|2001 Indian Ocean cyclone]] was the third strongest cyclone of the Arabian Sea, that made landfall near the Indian border. [[Cyclone Phet]] formed in May 2010, about 1100 km away from Karachi. It travelled along the coast, striking [[Oman]] then affecting the coast of [[Balochistan region|Balochistan]], giving record-breaking rain amounts there. [[Gwadar]], for instance, got 372 mm rainfall in 36-hours. In May 1902, a cyclonic storm struck the coast in the vicinity of [[Karachi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1902-06-17 |title=CYCLONE AT KARACHI, INDIA. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/06/17/archives/cyclone-at-karachi-india.html |access-date=2022-05-08 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PMD Cyclone Page |url=http://www.pmd.gov.pk/Tcyclone-video/admin/History-add.php |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=www.pmd.gov.pk}}</ref> |
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[[File:July (2)karachi.jpg|thumb|right|Drizzle is common in June as Pre-Monsoon rain.]] |
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Temperatures of May continue in June as well with slight decrease. The highest temperature of june was 47.8°C that occurred in 1979. Humidity remains high in his month. In the middle of June Pre-[[Monsoon]] rains can start that breaks the heat spell. Storms like [[Tropical cyclones]] or [[Tropical Depression]] form close to the sea of Karachi in this month, like in 2007 [[Cyclone Yemyin]] created Havoc in the city with strong windstorms of 69 mph and rainstorms killing 200 people, Although the storm passed near Karachi and hit [[Balochistan Province]] its remnants caused heavy rains in the coming weeks in Karachi. The cyclone also produced heaviest rainfall for june in 2007 which broke all previous record for June, which was about 110.5mm while the average rainfall is less than 20mm. On June 6th 2010, [[Cyclone Phet]] came close to the coast of Karachi, at about 50km away from the city after a week long journey. Phet produced very Heavy rainfall in the city which broke the previous record of june made in 2007, about 150mm rain with 35mph winds occurred due to Phet. Humidity in this month remains between 75-85%. More over in the evening winds from south west direction blow from the Sea causing drizzle with cloudy weather. |
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== |
== June == |
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[[File: |
[[File:Beaches of Karachi.jpg|thumb|right|Drizzle is common in June as Pre-Monsoon rain.]] |
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The temperatures of June are almost identical to May, with just a slight decrease. The highest temperature of June was {{convert|47|C|F}}, recorded on 18 June 1979, and the lowest was {{convert|22.1|C|F}}, recorded on 3 June 1997.<ref name=pakmet/> On 6 June 2010, [[Cyclone Phet]] came close to the coast of Karachi as a [[tropical depression]], at about 50 km away from the city after a week-long journey. About {{convert|150|mm|in}} of rain with {{convert|35|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds struck the city. 95 mm rainfall was recorded at the Airport observatory whereas 150 mm was recorded at Masroor Base.<ref name="pakmet.com.pk">{{cite web|url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/rainfalljune10.htm|title=RAINFALL STATEMENT JUNE-2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729124915/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/rainfalljune10.htm|archive-date=29 July 2010}}</ref> That's why once again, the official record for highest rainfall in the month of June, which was set at the Airport observatory in June 2007 i.e. 110 mm, stands unbroken. The average maximum temperature for the month of June is 34.8 °C whereas the average low is 27.9 °C. |
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In the month of July, Monsoon reaches its peak and produces heavy to very heavy rainfall, like in june sky remains overcast with only 3 to 4 hours of [[sunlight]] a day, With occasional drizzle at night or early morning. Two or Three rainstorms is common in this month that continue for three days to half week. The highest temperature of 42.2°C was recorded in 1958. The highest rainfall for july is 429.9mm that occurred in 1967. In 2003, a monsoon low pressure created flood like situation in [[Sindh Province]], with continuous spells of rain in Karachi at least 201mm rain was recorded. Then after seven years later, in 2009 a monsoon low produced unexpected very heavy rain of 235mm in just three hours with strong winds that uprooted trees, roofs of poorly made-houses and killed 20 people while injuring 150. This rain is also considered karachi's heaviest rain yet that occurred in just three hours. Humidity in July remains high between 80-90% causing discomfort to the people specially during rush hour. But in the evening just like Mid-June, cool winds blow from the sea in South West direction with light drizzle making the weather pleasant.In Evening times, Cirrus clouds can be seen daily coming from eastern regions indicating Monsoon presence. |
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=== |
=== 2015 heat wave === |
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[[File:EPA-2015-A-Tiger-cools-off-to-beat-the-heat-by-embracing-a-large-lump-of-ice-at-the-Karachi-Zoo.jpg|thumb|Tiger cools off in Karachi's Zoo during June 2015 Heat Wave.]] |
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[[File:July (1)karachi.jpg|thumb|right|Heavy rains lashing the port city]] |
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June 2015 was incredibly hot and humid in Karachi, being 1.8 °C warmer than an average June in the metropolis. Between 18 June and 23 June 2015, a severe heatwave struck the city; during these days, the maximum temperature remained in the range of 40 °C to 45 °C whereas the minimum temperature was between 30 °C and 33 °C.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pakistanweatherportal.com/category/karachi-heat-wave/|title=Karachi Heat Wave}}</ref> Due to humidity levels ranging between 40 and 50%, coupled with high temperature, the heat indices recorded in the city were above 50 °C during these days. The highest temperature during this heatwave was 45 °C (reached first time since 8 June 2000, when the temperature had soared to 45.5 °C), recorded on 20 June 2015, while the minimum temperature on this day was 31 °C. On 21 June 2015, the highest temperature was 43 °C whereas the minimum was 33 °C. The abnormal heat and humidity, coupled with government specifically [[K-Electric]]'s apathy towards the masses, claimed the lives of 1234 people in Karachi in one week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karachi heatwave death toll reaches 1,160 |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/4183-karachi-heatwave-death-toll-reaches-1160 |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}</ref> |
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The weather of August is identical to that of july. one or two weather system lashes the city in this month that causes significant floodings but less as compared to July. Then the [[monsoon]] starts to get weak in the last week of August but still has the potential to cause heavy rains in the city like in 2009 when 147.5mm rain was recorded on 31 August. Although in August rainfall intensity decreases but due to climatic changes heavy rains have started to lash the city in recent years like in 2007 a very strong [[tropical depression]] produced 167.9mm rain that continued for three days with intense [[thunderstorms]] and then just five days later again another monsoon low produced 81mm rain on 22th Thurday. Also in 2006 after two years of drought period that is 2004 and 2005, Widespread rainfall of 60mm occurred in the city on friday the 16th that broke the drought period. But historical events has shown that monsoon withdraws from Karachi during last days of August. The highest rainfall for August is 265.7mm that occurred in 1979 and the highest temperature in 41.5°C in 1965. |
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== |
== July == |
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[[File:Mosque in DHA, Karachi.JPG|thumb|left|Monsoon cloud hovering over the city]] |
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First Week of September can have some good rains because after the first week of September monsoon completely withdraws from the city. The sky remains sunny and dry. With slight decrease in humdity that is between 70-80% but increase in temperatures. Rain in this month is rare as there are no clouds in this month, But in case if there is no rains in July and August then moderate rainfall is expected but that is very rare in some cases very uncommon. The highest rainfall for September is 350.5mm that occurred in 1959. The highest temperature was 42°C thar occurred in 1951. |
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[[File:Watery Road of Karachi.jpg|thumb|right|Karachi is badly affected by the yearly monsoon rains rendering the road network unusable. The above picture depicts a certain road in Karachi completely covered with rainwater. The situation arises due to yearly rainfall which causes urban flooding. Other factors are improper drainage facilities and chocked drains.]] |
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In the month of July, the city is likely to start receiving rainfall from monsoon systems, that strike the metropolis from the Indian states of Rajasthan or Gujarat. Fast breeze from the W/SW blows throughout the day with stratus clouds covering the sky for most part of the day and night, making the weather very pleasant. Drizzle increases in intensity in this month, mostly occurring during night and early morning hours. At times, showers of considerable intensity can also lash the metropolis from these weak clouds, causing up to a few millimetres of rain. Heavy rains lash the city when a strong monsoon system strikes the region. Average high for the month is 33.1 °C whereas average low is 27.4 °C. The highest July temperature of {{convert|42.2|C|F}} was recorded on 3 July 1958 and the lowest temperature was {{convert|21.2|C|F}} on 22 July 1997.<ref name=pakmet/> The highest monthly rainfall for July was {{convert|429.3|mm|abbr=on}}, recorded in 1967.<ref name=pakmet/> On 27 July 1944, a cyclone left some 10,000 people homeless in Karachi.<ref>[http://www.ndma.gov.pk/Publications/livingwithdisasters.pdf Living with disasters] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709085830/http://www.ndma.gov.pk/Publications/livingwithdisasters.pdf |date=9 July 2011 }}</ref> |
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== |
== August == |
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[[File:July floods karachi (2).jpg|thumb|left|Beautiful Sunset in Karachi]] |
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October is the driest month of the city, with temperaures touching 43.9°C in 1951. Morning is hazy and the winds are calm, the sky remains clear with hot conditions. There is no rain in this month. |
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The weather of August is identical to that of July. In 2006, after two years of drought (2004 and 2005), widespread rainfall of {{convert|77|mm|in}} occurred in the city to break the drought period.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-08-18 |title=KARACHI: More rains likely |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/206348/karachi-more-rains-likely |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> Between 09 and 11 August 2007, a very strong [[Deep Depression BOB 06 (2007)|tropical depression]] produced {{convert|191|mm|in}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bhagwandas |date=2007-08-12 |title=KARACHI: 191mm rain in two days leaves city in shambles |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/260792/karachi-191mm-rain-in-two-days-leaves-city-in-shambles |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> Intermittent moderate to heavy rain lashed the mega-city during these 48 hours. Another monsoon low produced {{convert|80|mm|in}} of rain on 22 August 2007<ref>[http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Aug/Karachi-rains.asp Heavy rains affect academic activities, 23 Aug – 2007]. Interface.edu.pk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref> The [[monsoon]] typically starts to get weak from the last week of August, but still has the potential to cause heavy rains in the city, as on 31 August 2009, when SE parts of the city received 148 mm rainfall, while precipitation in other areas varied between 40 and 70 mm. But history has shown that the monsoon withdraws from Karachi during the final days of August. The highest rainfall for August is {{convert|272.5|mm|in}}, which occurred in 1979. The highest temperature was {{convert|41.7|C|F}} on 9 August 1964, while the lowest temperature was {{convert|21.0|C|F}}, recorded on 7 August 1984.<ref name=pakmet/> The city's highest rainfall in 24 hours occurred on 27 August 2020, when 345 mm rain was officially recorded at PAF Base Faisal. However, unofficial records from DHA/Clifton areas put the total somewhere around 380 mm for 27 August 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/25-Aug-2020/karachi-rain-breaks-36-year-record-confirms-met-office|title = Karachi rain breaks 36-year record, confirms Met Office|date = 25 August 2020}}</ref> Significantly, this total was achieved in just 12 hours, flooding the entire Southern district of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=Reuters|date=2020-08-27 |title=In pictures: Torrential rain floods Karachi, shatters records |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1576744 |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=Dawn.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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===November=== |
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November has hot days while cool nights. Weather remains hot and dry, the mid-November is just like October due to [[Autumn]]. While last weeks of November see gradual decrease in temperaure and thus winter begins, but it is not that cold and people enjoy this weather as first weeks of November is hot and the last week of November is cold making it a pleasant November. Showers occur in this month with fast winds due to [[Western Disturbance]] and cause temperatures to rise. The highest rainfall for November is 83.1 mm in the year 1959. While the highest and lowest temperaures is 38.5 °C (1994) and 6 °C (1938) respectively. |
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== |
== September == |
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The first three weeks of September can have some good rains. After the first three weeks, the monsoon completely withdraws from the city, and the sky remains sunny and dry. There is a slight decrease in humidity, which hovers between 70 and 80%, and an increase in temperatures. Rain in this month is inconsistent. During the monsoon of 2005 no rain occurred in the city raising the fears of drought but from 9 September till 11 September heavy rainfall lashed the city about {{convert|80|mm|in}} rainfall was recorded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhagwandas |date=2005-09-11 |title=KARACHI: Rains claim three lives: More showers forecast |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/156105/karachi-rains-claim-three-lives-more-showers-forecast |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref name="beta.dawn.com">{{Cite web |date=2005-09-13 |title=KARACHI: Weather in city turns sultry, more rain likely |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/156378/karachi-weather-in-city-turns-sultry-more-rain-likely |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> From 12 September evening till 13 September afternoon, 2011 a total of {{convert|140|mm|in}} occurred in the city that caused [[urban flooding]] in almost all parts of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newspaper |first=the |date=2011-09-13 |title=Up to 140mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours |url=https://www.dawn.com/2011/09/13/up-to-140mm-of-rainfall-in-less-than-24-hours/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> The highest rainfall for September was {{convert|315.7|mm|in}} in 1959.<ref name=pakmet/><ref name="ReferenceA"/> The highest temperature was {{convert|42.2|C|F}} on 30 September 1951 and the lowest temperature recorded was {{convert|18.2|C|F}} on 23 September 1994.<ref name=pakmet/> |
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The month of December is the annual winter month, but winter becomes more strong in January. In December weather remains calm and many functions are held in this month. Sky remains cloudy for some time of the month causing temperatures to decrease. On or two Showers is expected in this month due to western disturbance coming from [[mediterranean sea]]. The highest rainfall occurred in 2006 when a strong westerly wave dumped 63.9 mm rain. The lowest temperature for December is 1.5 °C that occurred in 1986. |
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[[File:July floods karachi (2).jpg|thumb|left|Sunset in Karachi]] |
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==List of Cyclones That Effected Karachi and Sindh Coast== |
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Cyclones that form in the [[Arabian Sea]] not always hit the Karachi or the sindh coast. During 1999, 2007 and 2010, only in these year cyclones directly affected the sindh coast including Karachi. While other cyclones that are listed below caused rains as a remnants. |
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*In 1965, a powerful cyclone hit the city with 10,000 casualities. |
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*In 1998, remnants of category 3 [[1998 Gujarat cyclone]] (5th strongest cyclone of Arabian sea) killed 12 people near and in the city |
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*In 1999, again a category 3 [[1999 Pakistan cyclone]] (4th strongest cyclone of [[Arabian Sea]]) hit near the city at the same place as 1998 Gujarati Cyclone, this Cyclone killed 700 people in Sindh including Karachi, this cyclone is the strongest cyclone of [[Pakistan]]. |
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*In 2001, A powerful category 3 Cyclone [[2001 India cyclone]] (3rd strongest cyclone of [[Arabian Sea]]) hit Indian border of Gujarat,But it caused rain along the Sindh coast and no damage was reported. |
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*In 2004, a cyclonic storm [[Cyclone Onil]] hit Indian border of Gujarat but its remnants caused heavy rain that killed 9 people in Karachi. |
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*In 2007, a cyclonic storm [[Cyclone Yemyin]] passed near the city and hit [[Balochistan Province]], it killed 380 people in Balochistan and 200 in Karachi city. |
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*In 2010, [[Cyclone Phet]] (2nd strongest cyclone of [[Arabian Sea]]) once a powerful category 4 cyclone, it made lanfall near the city as a [[tropical depression]], with a total of 14 casualities in and near the city. |
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== October == |
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==Monsoon Rainfall For Karachi== |
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October is the driest month in the city of Karachi. The highest temperature of {{convert|43.3|C|F}} was recorded on 1 October 1959 and lowest was {{convert|10.0|C|F}} recorded on 30 October 1949.<ref name=pakmet/> Morning is hazy and the winds are calm, the sky remains clear with hot conditions. The highest monthly rainfall for October is 98mm, which occurred in 1956.<ref name=pakmet/> It is the second hottest month of the year after May. Karachi is considered by some to be a city with two summers. Pre monsoon summer of April–May and post monsoon summer of Sep–Oct. |
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Note that the annual rainfall for Karachi is 200mm, while annual [[Monsoon]] rains for Karachi amount to 146.5mm. But due to [[Global Warming]] there has been dramatic change in the climate. The following is the annual monsoon rainfall for last few monsoons seasons (July-August-September). |
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During the year of 2004, the city received no significant precipitation, with the exception of a two-day spell of moderate rain which occurred between 2 and 3 October 2004, due to [[Cyclone Onil]]. 35 mm rain was recorded in two days across the city. |
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== November == |
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* In 2003, a total of 230.5mm rainfall was recorded. |
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November has hot days and pleasant nights. Mid-November conditions are much like those of October. During the last weeks of November there is a gradual decrease in temperature and thus winter begins, but it is not that cold. The first weeks of November are typically dry and the last week of November is cool. It is one of the driest months of the year, not only in Karachi, but most parts of Pakistan. On 9 November 2010 remnants of [[Cyclone Jal]] caused gusty winds in the metropolis.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-09-13 |title=Up to 140mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours |url=https://www.dawn.com/2011/09/13/up-to-140mm-of-rainfall-in-less-than-24-hours/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> The highest rainfall for November is {{convert|83.1|mm|in}}, which occurred in 1959.<ref name=pakmet/> The highest and lowest temperatures are {{convert|38.5|C|F}}, recorded on 1 November 1994 and {{convert|6.1|C|F}}, recorded on 29 November 1938 respectively.<ref name=pakmet/> |
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* In 2004, a total of 39.7mm rainfall was recorded. |
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* In 2005, a total of 56.5mm rainfall was recorded. |
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* In 2006, a total of 236.7mm rainfall was recorded |
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* In 2007, a total of 435.4mm rainfall was recorded. |
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* In 2008, a total of 95.5mm rainfall was recorded. |
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* In 2009, a total of 426.1mm rainfall was recorded. |
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* In 2010, a total of 563.6mm rainfall was recorded as of '''8th August''' night (''2010 Monsoon still active'') |
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== December == |
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==Pakistan Meteorological Departments in Karachi== |
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The month of December is the annual winter month. In December, the weather remains cool. The sky remains overcast for part of the month, causing temperatures to decrease. Rainfall is common in the city during the month of December due to the western disturbance coming from the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. The highest monthly rainfall of {{convert|63.6|mm|in}} was recorded in 1980.<ref name=pakmet/> During December 2006 a strong westerly "low" pressure resulted in {{convert|60.5|mm|in}} of rain in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Report |first=Dawn |date=2006-12-05 |title=Widespread rain claims 17 lives |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/221944/widespread-rain-claims-17-lives |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> The highest recorded temperature for December was {{convert|34.5|C|F}} on 11 December 2001 and the lowest temperature was {{convert|1.3|C|F}}, which occurred on 14 December 1988.<ref name=pakmet/> |
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==Monsoon precipitation in Karachi== |
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* Institute of [[Meteorology]] & [[Geophysics]] - IMG ('''Training Center''') [[Karachi]], |
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The average annual rainfall for Karachi is {{convert|309.6|mm|in}} (1981–2022); the highest annual rainfall of {{convert|869|mm|in}} was recorded in 1967.<ref name=pakmet/> The highest rainfall in a single day was recorded on 27 August 2020 when rainfall of {{convert|223.5|mm|in}} lashed the financial hub of Pk. Annual [[monsoon]] rains for Karachi amount to {{convert|237.5|mm|in}}. The city experienced above-normal monsoon rainfalls in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017 and 2019, while in 2004 and 2005 the city received below-normal rainfall. In 2009 the country received 30% below normal rainfall with the exception of [[Sindh]], including Karachi, which received above normal monsoon rains. Following is the annual monsoon rainfall for the last few years based on data from the [[Pakistan Meteorological Department]].<ref name="http://www.pakmet.com.pk">[http://www.pakmet.com.pk/ Pakistan Meteorological Department] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901073841/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/ |date=1 September 2010 }}. Pakmet.com.pk (5 October 2010). Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref> |
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* [[Climate]] Data Processing Center Karachi, |
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* Tropical [[Cyclone]] Warning Center, Karachi, |
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{| class="wikitable"0" style="font-size:92%" |
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* National Seismic Monitoring Center Karachi, |
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|- |
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* Directorate of Maintenance Karachi, |
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! colspan=4 style="background:#ccf;" |Monsoon precipitation in Karachi<br /><small>Monsoon begins from June till September</small> |
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* Directorate of Forecasting and [[Climatology]] Karachi, |
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|- |
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* Regional Met. Centres:- Karachi, [[Lahore]], [[Peshawar]], [[Quetta]], |
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! colspan=4 | Precipitation |
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|- |
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! Year |
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! (mm) |
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! (in) |
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! References |
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|- |
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| 2000 || 276.9 mm || 10.9 inches ||<ref name="karachipage.com">[http://www.karachipage.com/news/Jul_01/071101.html Karachi News]. Karachipage.com (11 July 2001). Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref> |
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|- |
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| 2001 || 270.4 mm || 11.01 inches ||<ref name="karachipage.com"/><ref>[http://www.karachipage.com/news/Jul_01/071301.html Karachi News]. Karachipage.com (13 July 2001). Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref> |
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|- |
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| 2002 || 198.8 mm || 6.84 inches ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-08-27 |title=KARACHI: 27.5mm rain recorded |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/54410/karachi-27-5mm-rain-recorded |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-07-26 |title=KARACHI: Parts of city get light rain |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/131983/karachi-parts-of-city-get-light-rain |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| 2003 || 335.2 mm || 13.20 inches ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-07-30 |title=12 more killed as rains continue |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/132712/12-more-killed-as-rains-continue |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> |
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| 2004 || 235 mm || 1.38 inches ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-10-04 |title=Rain plays havoc in lower Sindh |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/372535/rain-plays-havoc-in-lower-sindh |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> |
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| 2005 || 197.2 mm || 6.17 inches ||<ref name="beta.dawn.com"/><ref name="pakrealestatetimes.com">[http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=5719 Usual cycle of monsoons expected this year: Met]. Pakrealestatetimes.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref> |
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|- |
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| 2006 || 301.1 mm || 11.85 inches ||<ref name="pakrealestatetimes.com"/> |
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| 2007 || 465.6 mm || 18.33 inches ||<ref name="http://www.pakmet.com.pk"/><ref name="pakrealestatetimes.com"/> |
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| 2008 || 191.5 mm || 6.60 inches ||<ref name="pakrealestatetimes.com"/> |
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| 2009 || 279.9 mm || 11.02 inches ||<ref name="pakmet1">[http://www.pakmet.com.pk/Pakistan%20Weather%20outlook/September%202009.html Government of Pakistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315185248/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/Pakistan%20Weather%20outlook/September%202009.html |date=15 March 2012 }}. Pakmet.com.pk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-26 |title=Light rain disrupts power supply in Karachi |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/879751/light-rain-disrupts-power-supply-in-karachi |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/karachi-thunderstorm-forecast-879 |title=DAWN.COM | Local | KARACHI: Thunderstorm forecast |access-date=2010-09-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725173933/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/karachi-thunderstorm-forecast-879 |archive-date=25 July 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-07-20 |title=Protests break out over power supplies |url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/2009/07/protests-break-out-over-power-supplies/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Samaa TV]]}}</ref><ref>http://hamaralyari.com/ Hamara Lyari</ref><ref>http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/karachi-35mm-of-rain-recorded%2C-more-forecast-189 {{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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|- |
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| 2010 || 372.9 mm || 14.68 inches ||<ref name="pakmet.com.pk"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-10-28 |title=Pre-monsoon showers lash Karachi |url=http://news.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/premonsoon-showers-lash-karachi-670 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028193428/http://news.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/premonsoon-showers-lash-karachi-670 |archive-date=2010-10-28 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ayub |first=Imran |date=2010-07-08 |title=Three die from electrocution as rain lashes Karachi |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/16-two-children-drown%2C-man-dies-from-electrocution-as-rain-lashes-karachi-870-hs-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711114245/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/16-two-children-drown%2C-man-dies-from-electrocution-as-rain-lashes-karachi-870-hs-01 |archive-date=2010-07-11 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-28 |title=More showers forecast for Karachi |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/16-showers-forecast-870-hs-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731100624/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/16-showers-forecast-870-hs-01 |archive-date=2010-07-31 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhagwandas |date=2010-08-08 |title=Rain spell triggers prolonged traffic jams |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/rain-spell-triggers-prolonged-traffic-jams-880 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817011653/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/rain-spell-triggers-prolonged-traffic-jams-880 |archive-date=2010-08-17 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhagwandas |date=2010-08-09 |title=Met office forecasts two more days of rain |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/met-office-forecasts-two-more-days-of-rain-980 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811213943/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/met-office-forecasts-two-more-days-of-rain-980 |archive-date=2010-08-11 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-08-10 |title=Heavy rain lashes parts of Karachi |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/19-heavy-rain-lashes-parts-of-city-080-hh-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815055234/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/19-heavy-rain-lashes-parts-of-city-080-hh-04 |archive-date=2010-08-15 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-02 |title=Scattered showers in city |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/scattered-showers-in-city-290 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026052426/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/scattered-showers-in-city-290 |archive-date=2010-10-26 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bhagwandas |date=2010-09-10 |title=More rain forecast after scattered showers |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/more-rain-forecast-after-scattered-showers-090 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919112757/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/more-rain-forecast-after-scattered-showers-090 |archive-date=19 September 2010 |access-date=2010-09-17 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-11 |title=More rain forecast |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/more-rain-forecast-190 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914092610/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/more-rain-forecast-190 |archive-date=2010-09-14 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref><ref>[http://www.karachidigest.com/articles/news/heavy-rain-lashes-karachi-2/ "Heavy rain lashes Karachi"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713134730/http://www.karachidigest.com/articles/news/heavy-rain-lashes-karachi-2/ |date=13 July 2011 }}. ''Karachi Digest''. (11 September 2010). Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.aaj.tv/2010/09/karachi-receives-rainfall-forecast-for-more-rains/ Karachi receives heavy rainfall"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113172905/http://www.aaj.tv/2010/09/karachi-receives-rainfall-forecast-for-more-rains/ |date=13 January 2016 }} AAJ News. Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref> |
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| 2011 || 295 mm || 11.61 inches ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newspaper |first=the |date=2011-07-26 |title=First monsoon showers in Karachi |url=https://www.dawn.com/2011/07/26/first-monsoon-showers-in-karachi/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>[http://www.pakmet.com.pk/met.gov/RDWR1.html marine_forecast] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112034819/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/met.gov/RDWR1.html |date=12 January 2012 }}. Pakmet.com.pk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.</ref> |
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| 2012 || 159.1 mm || 6.26 inches ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://namc.pmd.gov.pk/fog.php?type%3Df%26page%3D46 |title=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=2012-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719191230/http://namc.pmd.gov.pk/fog.php?type=f&page=46 |archive-date=19 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pmd.gov.pk/FFD/index_files/daily/rainfalljul12.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714003152/http://www.pmd.gov.pk/FFD/index_files/daily/rainfalljul12.htm |archive-date=14 July 2012 }}</ref> |
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|- |
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| 2013 || 242.4 mm || 9.79 inches || As of 8 August 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pmd.gov.pk/FFD/index_files/daily/rainfalljun13.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616004542/http://www.pmd.gov.pk/FFD/index_files/daily/rainfalljun13.htm |archive-date=16 June 2013 }}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2020 |
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|484 mm |
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|19.06 inches |
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|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rapid Need Assessment Report: Monsoon Rains Karachi Division, 24th – 27th August 2020 - Pakistan |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/rapid-need-assessment-report-monsoon-rains-karachi-division-24th-27th-august-2020 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=ReliefWeb |date=29 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> |
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|} |
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==Tropical cyclones and tropical storms== |
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Though cyclones are rare in the Arabian sea which is a part of North Indian Ocean, cyclones that form in the Arabian sea may move in five possible tracks; towards Indian Gujrat, towards Badin/Tharparkar coast, towards Karachi/Thatta coast, towards [[Gwadar Coast|Gwadar coast]] or towards Oman Coast.<ref name="imd.gov.in">{{cite web |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/enwiki/static/cyclone-history-as.htm |title=History of Past Cyclones |access-date=2010-04-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302202018/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/enwiki/static/cyclone-history-as.htm |archive-date=2 March 2010 }}</ref> Cyclones in the Arabian sea form mostly from mid-May to mid-July and then in the month of October. [[Monsoon]] season plays a vital role for the formation of cyclones in this basin. Tropical storms that hit Pakistan are mostly remnants by the time they reach Pakistan or make landfall in south eastern [[Sindh]], which is not very populated. They rarely move towards the [[Balochistan]] coast. |
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Due to "Climate Change", now the frequency of Tropical Cyclones formation in the Arabian Sea has been increased and hence threats of landfall towards Karachi has also been increased.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-23 |title=Sea-saw: Climate change makes Karachi feel under the weather |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/712345/sea-saw-climate-change-makes-karachi-feel-under-the-weather |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref> |
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===List of tropical cyclones in Pakistan=== |
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Each year before the onset of monsoon (15 May to 15 July) and also after its withdrawal (15 September to 15 November), there is always a distinct possibility of the cyclonic storm to develop in the north Arabian Sea.<ref name="indianweatherman.blogspot.com">{{cite web|url=http://indianweatherman.blogspot.com/2010/06/cyclone-history-for-karachi.html|title = Cyclone History for Karachi|date = 6 June 2010}}</ref> There is a 50 percent chance of cyclones to turn towards the Indian state of [[Gujarat]], 20 percent chance of moving towards the Oman/Gulf and thirty percent chance of moving towards the Pakistani coast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-04 |title=Cyclone Phet losing intensity: Met office |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/855268/cyclone-phet-losing-intensity-met-office |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> |
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There is one [[Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre|tropical cyclone warning centre]] (TCWC) operational in Pakistan. It is in Karachi, as in operated by the Pakistan Meteorological Department.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre {{!}} Press Releases {{!}} Advisories {{!}} Alerts {{!}} Warnings » Pakistan Meteorological Department |url=https://www.pmd.gov.pk/en/tropical-cyclone-warning-centre/advisories.php |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=www.pmd.gov.pk}}</ref> It monitors different systems that emerge in the Arabian Sea, and issues appropriate advisories, alerts, and warnings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Qazi Hassan {{!}} Imtiaz |date=2021-09-30 |title=All schools closed as Sindh braces for cyclonic storm, torrential rain |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1649320 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=Rains hit Karachi as cyclone threat looms |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2322639/rains-hit-karachi-as-cyclone-threat-looms |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref> During the last 100 years, a number of cyclonic storms have struck Pakistan's coastal areas. The years involved were 1895, 1902, 1907, 1944, 1948, 1964, 1985, 1999, 2007 and 2010. |
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{| class="wikitable"0" style="font-size:92%" |
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|- |
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! colspan=5 style="background:#cff;" | Wettest tropical cyclones/depressions in Pakistan<br /><small>Highest known recorded totals</small> |
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|- |
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! colspan=3 | Precipitation / Rainfall |
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! rowspan=2 | Name of Tropical Cyclone / Storm |
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! rowspan=2 | Measurement Station |
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|- |
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! Rank |
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! ([[Millimetre|mm]]) |
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! ([[Inch|in]]) |
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|- |
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| 1 || 370 mm || 14.57 inches || [[Cyclone Phet|Phet (2010)]] || [[Gwadar]]<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.centralasiaonline.com/cocoon/caii/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/caii/newsbriefs/2010/06/04/newsbrief-04| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100605090832/http://centralasiaonline.com/cocoon/caii/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/caii/newsbriefs/2010/06/04/newsbrief-04| archive-date = 2010-06-05| title = Cyclone Phet dumps heavy rains on Gwadar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-06 |title=Thunder at night: Karachi awaits Cyclone Phet |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/19006/phet-400-km-from-karachi |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| 2 || 285 mm || 11.22 inches || [[1999 Pakistan cyclone|2A (1999)]] || [[Keti Bandar]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.heatisonline.org/contentserver/objecthandlers/index.cfm?id=3330&method=full |title = The Heat is Online| date=June 2022 }}</ref> |
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|- |
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| 3 || 245 mm || 9.64 inches || [[2009 North Indian Ocean cyclone season#Depression BOB|BOB (2009)]] || [[Karachi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/cp/fr2009.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-01-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806000315/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/cp/fr2009.pdf |archive-date=6 August 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/OPKC/2009/7/17/DailyHistory.html |title = Karachi, Pakistan History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://hamariweb.com/myreport/report.aspx?id=199 | title=Effects of Heavy Rain in Karachi on 18 July 2009}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| 4 || 191 mm || 7.51 inches || [[Deep Depression BOB 06 (2007)|BOB 06 (2007)]] || [[Karachi]]<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.accuweather.com/world-news-blogs.asp?blog=andrews&partner=accuweather&pgUrl=/mtweb/content/andrews/archives/2007/08/will_the_arabia.asp| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707080945/http://www.accuweather.com/world-news-blogs.asp?blog=andrews&partner=accuweather&pgUrl=/mtweb/content/andrews/archives/2007/08/will_the_arabia.asp| archive-date = 2011-07-07| title = AccuWeather.com News & Blogs: Jim Andrews Blog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/monsoon.html |title=Government of Pakistan |access-date=8 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808042422/http://pakmet.com.pk/monsoon.html |archive-date=8 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> |
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|- |
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| 5 || 145 mm || 5.71 inches || [[Cyclone Onil|Onil (2004)]] || [[Thatta]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/fixed/arch/arch_2004/arch_oct_04.htm |title=DAWN Back Issues of 2005 |access-date=2010-12-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203031745/http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/fixed/arch/arch_2004/arch_oct_04.htm |archive-date=3 December 2010 }}</ref> |
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|- |
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| 6 || 110 mm || 3.94 inches || [[Cyclone Yemyin|Yemyin (2007)]] || [[Karachi]] |
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|- |
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| 7 || 43 mm || 1.69 inches || [[2007 North Indian Ocean cyclone season#Deep Depression BOB 04|BOB 04 (2007)]] || [[Karachi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/sindhadvisory.html |title=Government of Pakistan |access-date=1 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629230656/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/sindhadvisory.html |archive-date=29 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Tahir |date=2007-07-01 |title=KARACHI: Rains pile on the misery |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/254171/karachi-rains-pile-on-the-misery |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| 8 || 18 mm || 0.70 inches || [[Deep Depression BOB 03 (2009)|BOB 03 (2009)]] || [[Karachi]]<ref>http://news.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/karachi-heavy-rains-forecast-579 {{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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|} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[2009 Karachi floods]] |
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* [[Climate of Pakistan]] |
* [[Climate of Pakistan]] |
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* [[Climate of Sindh]] |
* [[Climate of Sindh]] |
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* [[Pakistan Meteorological Department]] |
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* [[History of Karachi]] |
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* [[Demographics of Karachi]] |
* [[Demographics of Karachi]] |
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* [[History of Karachi]] |
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* [[List of most populated metropolitan areas in Pakistan]] |
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* [[List of extreme weather records in Pakistan]] |
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* [[List of most populous metropolitan areas in Pakistan]] |
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* [[Pakistan Meteorological Department]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.pakmet.com.pk/ |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100901073841/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/ Pakistan Meteorological Department] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100613053222/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/Climate/Karachi_Climate_Data.txt Climate Data of Karachi] |
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*[http://www.karachicity.gov.pk/ Official site: City District Government of Karachi] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20020325142014/http://www.karachicity.gov.pk/ Official site: City District Government of Karachi] |
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*[http://www.worldweather.org/047/c00892.htm UN World Weather Service] |
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*[http://www. |
* [http://www.worldweather.org/047/c00892.htm UN World Weather Service] |
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{{Karachi}} |
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*[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=8714&refer=&units=metric Weatherbase.com climate statistics] |
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{{Karachi topics}} |
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{{coord missing|Pakistan}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Climate of Karachi}} |
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[[Category:Karachi District]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Environment of Karachi]] |
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[[Category:Climate by city in Pakistan|Karachi]] |
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[[Category:Climate of Sindh|Karachi]] |
[[Category:Climate of Sindh|Karachi]] |
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[[Category:Geography of Karachi]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:42, 10 November 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2019) |
24°51′N 67°02′E / 24.850°N 67.033°E Karachi has a tropical semi arid climate (Köppen: BSh; Trewartha: BShb), albeit a moderate version of this climate, influenced by monsoons. Karachi has a tropical climate, despite being located slightly above the Tropic of Cancer. It is situated in the monsoon region of Pakistan. It is located on the coast bordering the Arabian Sea, and as a result, has a relatively mild climate. However, in more recent years, rainfall has become more abundant, with annual rainfall projected to reach over 500 mm by 2100. For this reason, the city may be classed as almost semi-arid (BSh), since it has a mild climate with a short but defined wet season, along with a lengthy dry season.
Karachi has two main seasons; summer and winter, while spring and autumn are very short. The Summer season persists for the longest period during the year. Karachi also receives the rains from late June to mid-September (Monsoon). The city experiences a tropical climate encompassing warm and dry winters and very hot, humid and rainy summers. The humidity levels usually remain high from March to November, while they are very low in winter as the wind direction in winter is north-east. The temperature in winter season sometimes goes below 10 °C and day temperature is about 26 °C.
On 27 December 2021, the metropolis broke a 13-year record and experienced the coldest day with the maximum temperature dropping to 19 °C (66 °F).[1]
Charts
[edit]| Climate data for Karachi | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 32.8 (91.0) |
36.5 (97.7) |
42.5 (108.5) |
44.4 (111.9) |
47.8 (118.0) |
42.0 (107.6) |
42.2 (108.0) |
41.7 (107.1) |
42.8 (109.0) |
43.3 (109.9) |
38.5 (101.3) |
34.5 (94.1) |
47.8 (118.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 28.2 (82.8) |
28.4 (83.1) |
32.2 (90.0) |
34.7 (94.5) |
35.5 (95.9) |
35.4 (95.7) |
33.3 (91.9) |
32.1 (89.8) |
33.2 (91.8) |
35.5 (95.9) |
32.5 (90.5) |
28.2 (82.8) |
32.4 (90.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 20.5 (68.9) |
21.2 (70.2) |
25.4 (77.7) |
28.8 (83.8) |
31.0 (87.8) |
31.8 (89.2) |
30.4 (86.7) |
29.2 (84.6) |
28.7 (83.7) |
27.8 (82.0) |
24.6 (76.3) |
20.4 (68.7) |
26.6 (80.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) |
14.0 (57.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
23.0 (73.4) |
26.6 (79.9) |
28.3 (82.9) |
27.6 (81.7) |
26.3 (79.3) |
25.6 (78.1) |
21.9 (71.4) |
16.8 (62.2) |
12.7 (54.9) |
21.2 (70.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 0.0 (32.0) |
3.3 (37.9) |
7.0 (44.6) |
12.2 (54.0) |
17.7 (63.9) |
22.1 (71.8) |
22.2 (72.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
10.0 (50.0) |
6.1 (43.0) |
1.3 (34.3) |
0.0 (32.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 8.6 (0.34) |
9.4 (0.37) |
15.3 (0.60) |
15.7 (0.62) |
6.1 (0.24) |
55.8 (2.20) |
103.2 (4.06) |
78.9 (3.11) |
39.6 (1.56) |
17.6 (0.69) |
0.4 (0.02) |
2.8 (0.11) |
353.4 (13.92) |
| Average precipitation days | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 3.9 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 24 |
| Source 1: PMD (2022) [2] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: [3][4] | |||||||||||||
January
[edit]The month of January is the coolest month of the year in the city, with mostly clear skies and a constant N, NE breeze blowing. The influx of very cold and very dry Siberian winds (called "Quetta Waves" in common parlance), bring brief and cold spells to the region, dropping the night temperatures to below 10 degrees Celsius. Western Disturbances from the Persian Gulf and Iran affect the city during this time, bringing with them light rainfall. The highest rainfall during this month was 89.3 millimetres (3.52 in), which was recorded in 1995.[5] The highest temperature of 32.8 °C (91.0 °F) was recorded in January 2018.[5] The average high for the month is 24.6 °C while the average low for the month is a mild 6 °C.
The lowest temperature was 0.0 °C
February
[edit]The cold waves can affect the metropolis until the middle of the month, after which a warming trend begins in the city. The relative humidity also tends to increase after the middle of the month. The lowest temperature was 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) on 11 February 1950 and the highest was 36.5 °C (97.7 °F) on 27 February 2016.[5] The highest monthly rainfall of 96 millimetres (3.8 in) was recorded in 1979.[5] Western depressions can continue to affect the city during this month, often causing overcast skies and light to moderate rainfall. The intensity of rainfall in February is relatively higher compared to the preceding month. The average high for the month is a pleasant 27.7 °C whereas the lows hover around 15 °C.
March
[edit]Weather turns quite warm with the start of March, with increasing humidity and intensity of sunshine. The highest temperature was recorded at 42 °C in 2004, and then again in 2010 and 2022.[5][4] March is considered spring time in the city, when the skies are usually clear blue and W/SW breeze dominates, making the outdoors much more pleasant. Western depressions can bring moderate to at times even heavy rainfall. In the recent years, Karachi has received quite heavy rainfall in the month of March, for instance on 18 March 1997, the city received 25 mm rainfall from an overnight thunderstorm. On 11 March 2007, a strong western depression gave up to 35 mm rainfall in the city, during which intermittent moderate to heavy rain continued in the metropolis from morning until midnight. On 19 March 2007, once again an isolated heavy downpour lashed the city, in which the northern parts (North Karachi) received 53 mm rainfall in less than an hour, while other areas received lesser precipitation.on 13 March 2015, an overnight dose of heavy rain lashed mainly the southern and SE areas of the city. Between 10 and 15 mm rainfall was recorded in these areas within 15 minutes. However, Gulshan-e-Hadeed observatory (located ESE of the metropolis in the outskirts), received 40 mm downpour on the same night.Most recently on 1 march 2024 the city received heavy rainfall all day.The all-time high for the month was a mighty 130 millimetres (5.1 in), recorded in 1967, which is March's highest rainfall for the city.[5]
April
[edit]Moving into April, the temperatures and humidity see an increasing trend. The highest temperature of April was 44.4 °C (111.9 °F), recorded on 16 April 1947, while the lowest temperature of 12.2 °C (54.0 °F) was recorded on 29 April 1967.[5] The highest monthly rainfall of 52.8 millimetres (2.08 in) was recorded in 1935.[5] The average high for the month is 34.3 °C while the average low is 22.3 °C. Although it is rare for the metropolis to get rainfall in this month, in recent times, April 2013 was quite exceptional as the metropolis was blessed by heavy rain on three occasions: On 2 April 2013, a thunder storm gave heavy rain in northern parts of the city where 12.6 mm rain was recorded. On 8 April 2013, a strong western depression from the Persian Gulf affected the city, giving widespread heavy rainfall in the morning hours, accompanied by strong winds; a maximum of 28 mm rainfall was recorded. On 22 April 2013, a strong thunderstorm ripped across the metropolis at mid-day, giving very heavy rainfall specially in central, NW and southern parts of the city. Downtown (Saddar) observatory in south Karachi received an accumulation of 66 mm for the month, however, the record for the highest rainfall in April stands unbroken because the record of 52.8 mm in 1935 was set at the Airport observatory, while the total rainfall recorded at the Airport in April 2013 was 29 mm. The April 2015 was very warm in Karachi, as it was 2.4 °C warmer on average compared to a standard April.
May
[edit]May is the hottest month in Karachi, highest temperature was recorded on 9 May 1938, when temperatures reached 47.8 °C (118.0 °F) while the lowest temperature was 17.7 °C (63.9 °F), recorded on 4 May 1989.[5] The humidity in the month is quite high, often surpassing 60% and coupled with temperatures ranging between 35 and 37 °C, the heat indices are generally quite high, making the outdoors highly uncomfortable. Rainfall in May is a rare occurrence. Recently, a very strong thunderstorm affected the metropolis during the early hours of 2 May 1997. 40 mm rainfall was recorded at Masroor Base, while the Airport received 6 mm rain. The highest monthly rain that occurred was in May 1933, when 33 millimetres (1.3 in) rain lashed the city.[6] In 1999, 2001 and 2010, three major cyclones formed that came close to Karachi. The 1999 cyclone (the fourth strongest cyclone of the Arabian Sea) hit close to Karachi, along the coast of Thatta and Keti Bandar giving massive rainfall and causing widespread damage in these areas while the city of Karachi only received very strong NE winds, with light showers (traces). 2001 Indian Ocean cyclone was the third strongest cyclone of the Arabian Sea, that made landfall near the Indian border. Cyclone Phet formed in May 2010, about 1100 km away from Karachi. It travelled along the coast, striking Oman then affecting the coast of Balochistan, giving record-breaking rain amounts there. Gwadar, for instance, got 372 mm rainfall in 36-hours. In May 1902, a cyclonic storm struck the coast in the vicinity of Karachi.[7][8]
June
[edit]
The temperatures of June are almost identical to May, with just a slight decrease. The highest temperature of June was 47 °C (117 °F), recorded on 18 June 1979, and the lowest was 22.1 °C (71.8 °F), recorded on 3 June 1997.[5] On 6 June 2010, Cyclone Phet came close to the coast of Karachi as a tropical depression, at about 50 km away from the city after a week-long journey. About 150 millimetres (5.9 in) of rain with 35 mph (56 km/h) winds struck the city. 95 mm rainfall was recorded at the Airport observatory whereas 150 mm was recorded at Masroor Base.[9] That's why once again, the official record for highest rainfall in the month of June, which was set at the Airport observatory in June 2007 i.e. 110 mm, stands unbroken. The average maximum temperature for the month of June is 34.8 °C whereas the average low is 27.9 °C.
2015 heat wave
[edit]
June 2015 was incredibly hot and humid in Karachi, being 1.8 °C warmer than an average June in the metropolis. Between 18 June and 23 June 2015, a severe heatwave struck the city; during these days, the maximum temperature remained in the range of 40 °C to 45 °C whereas the minimum temperature was between 30 °C and 33 °C.[10] Due to humidity levels ranging between 40 and 50%, coupled with high temperature, the heat indices recorded in the city were above 50 °C during these days. The highest temperature during this heatwave was 45 °C (reached first time since 8 June 2000, when the temperature had soared to 45.5 °C), recorded on 20 June 2015, while the minimum temperature on this day was 31 °C. On 21 June 2015, the highest temperature was 43 °C whereas the minimum was 33 °C. The abnormal heat and humidity, coupled with government specifically K-Electric's apathy towards the masses, claimed the lives of 1234 people in Karachi in one week.[11]
July
[edit]
In the month of July, the city is likely to start receiving rainfall from monsoon systems, that strike the metropolis from the Indian states of Rajasthan or Gujarat. Fast breeze from the W/SW blows throughout the day with stratus clouds covering the sky for most part of the day and night, making the weather very pleasant. Drizzle increases in intensity in this month, mostly occurring during night and early morning hours. At times, showers of considerable intensity can also lash the metropolis from these weak clouds, causing up to a few millimetres of rain. Heavy rains lash the city when a strong monsoon system strikes the region. Average high for the month is 33.1 °C whereas average low is 27.4 °C. The highest July temperature of 42.2 °C (108.0 °F) was recorded on 3 July 1958 and the lowest temperature was 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) on 22 July 1997.[5] The highest monthly rainfall for July was 429.3 mm (16.90 in), recorded in 1967.[5] On 27 July 1944, a cyclone left some 10,000 people homeless in Karachi.[12]
August
[edit]The weather of August is identical to that of July. In 2006, after two years of drought (2004 and 2005), widespread rainfall of 77 millimetres (3.0 in) occurred in the city to break the drought period.[13] Between 09 and 11 August 2007, a very strong tropical depression produced 191 millimetres (7.5 in)[14] Intermittent moderate to heavy rain lashed the mega-city during these 48 hours. Another monsoon low produced 80 millimetres (3.1 in) of rain on 22 August 2007[15] The monsoon typically starts to get weak from the last week of August, but still has the potential to cause heavy rains in the city, as on 31 August 2009, when SE parts of the city received 148 mm rainfall, while precipitation in other areas varied between 40 and 70 mm. But history has shown that the monsoon withdraws from Karachi during the final days of August. The highest rainfall for August is 272.5 millimetres (10.73 in), which occurred in 1979. The highest temperature was 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) on 9 August 1964, while the lowest temperature was 21.0 °C (69.8 °F), recorded on 7 August 1984.[5] The city's highest rainfall in 24 hours occurred on 27 August 2020, when 345 mm rain was officially recorded at PAF Base Faisal. However, unofficial records from DHA/Clifton areas put the total somewhere around 380 mm for 27 August 2020.[16] Significantly, this total was achieved in just 12 hours, flooding the entire Southern district of the city.[17]
September
[edit]The first three weeks of September can have some good rains. After the first three weeks, the monsoon completely withdraws from the city, and the sky remains sunny and dry. There is a slight decrease in humidity, which hovers between 70 and 80%, and an increase in temperatures. Rain in this month is inconsistent. During the monsoon of 2005 no rain occurred in the city raising the fears of drought but from 9 September till 11 September heavy rainfall lashed the city about 80 millimetres (3.1 in) rainfall was recorded.[18][19] From 12 September evening till 13 September afternoon, 2011 a total of 140 millimetres (5.5 in) occurred in the city that caused urban flooding in almost all parts of the city.[20] The highest rainfall for September was 315.7 millimetres (12.43 in) in 1959.[5][6] The highest temperature was 42.2 °C (108.0 °F) on 30 September 1951 and the lowest temperature recorded was 18.2 °C (64.8 °F) on 23 September 1994.[5]
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October
[edit]October is the driest month in the city of Karachi. The highest temperature of 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) was recorded on 1 October 1959 and lowest was 10.0 °C (50.0 °F) recorded on 30 October 1949.[5] Morning is hazy and the winds are calm, the sky remains clear with hot conditions. The highest monthly rainfall for October is 98mm, which occurred in 1956.[5] It is the second hottest month of the year after May. Karachi is considered by some to be a city with two summers. Pre monsoon summer of April–May and post monsoon summer of Sep–Oct. During the year of 2004, the city received no significant precipitation, with the exception of a two-day spell of moderate rain which occurred between 2 and 3 October 2004, due to Cyclone Onil. 35 mm rain was recorded in two days across the city.
November
[edit]November has hot days and pleasant nights. Mid-November conditions are much like those of October. During the last weeks of November there is a gradual decrease in temperature and thus winter begins, but it is not that cold. The first weeks of November are typically dry and the last week of November is cool. It is one of the driest months of the year, not only in Karachi, but most parts of Pakistan. On 9 November 2010 remnants of Cyclone Jal caused gusty winds in the metropolis.[21] The highest rainfall for November is 83.1 millimetres (3.27 in), which occurred in 1959.[5] The highest and lowest temperatures are 38.5 °C (101.3 °F), recorded on 1 November 1994 and 6.1 °C (43.0 °F), recorded on 29 November 1938 respectively.[5]
December
[edit]The month of December is the annual winter month. In December, the weather remains cool. The sky remains overcast for part of the month, causing temperatures to decrease. Rainfall is common in the city during the month of December due to the western disturbance coming from the Mediterranean Sea. The highest monthly rainfall of 63.6 millimetres (2.50 in) was recorded in 1980.[5] During December 2006 a strong westerly "low" pressure resulted in 60.5 millimetres (2.38 in) of rain in the city.[22] The highest recorded temperature for December was 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) on 11 December 2001 and the lowest temperature was 1.3 °C (34.3 °F), which occurred on 14 December 1988.[5]
Monsoon precipitation in Karachi
[edit]The average annual rainfall for Karachi is 309.6 millimetres (12.19 in) (1981–2022); the highest annual rainfall of 869 millimetres (34.2 in) was recorded in 1967.[5] The highest rainfall in a single day was recorded on 27 August 2020 when rainfall of 223.5 millimetres (8.80 in) lashed the financial hub of Pk. Annual monsoon rains for Karachi amount to 237.5 millimetres (9.35 in). The city experienced above-normal monsoon rainfalls in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017 and 2019, while in 2004 and 2005 the city received below-normal rainfall. In 2009 the country received 30% below normal rainfall with the exception of Sindh, including Karachi, which received above normal monsoon rains. Following is the annual monsoon rainfall for the last few years based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.[23]
| Monsoon precipitation in Karachi Monsoon begins from June till September | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Precipitation | |||
| Year | (mm) | (in) | References |
| 2000 | 276.9 mm | 10.9 inches | [24] |
| 2001 | 270.4 mm | 11.01 inches | [24][25] |
| 2002 | 198.8 mm | 6.84 inches | [26][27] |
| 2003 | 335.2 mm | 13.20 inches | [28] |
| 2004 | 235 mm | 1.38 inches | [29] |
| 2005 | 197.2 mm | 6.17 inches | [19][30] |
| 2006 | 301.1 mm | 11.85 inches | [30] |
| 2007 | 465.6 mm | 18.33 inches | [23][30] |
| 2008 | 191.5 mm | 6.60 inches | [30] |
| 2009 | 279.9 mm | 11.02 inches | [31][32][33][34][35][36] |
| 2010 | 372.9 mm | 14.68 inches | [9][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] |
| 2011 | 295 mm | 11.61 inches | [48][49] |
| 2012 | 159.1 mm | 6.26 inches | [50][51] |
| 2013 | 242.4 mm | 9.79 inches | As of 8 August 2013[52] |
| 2020 | 484 mm | 19.06 inches | [53] |
Tropical cyclones and tropical storms
[edit]Though cyclones are rare in the Arabian sea which is a part of North Indian Ocean, cyclones that form in the Arabian sea may move in five possible tracks; towards Indian Gujrat, towards Badin/Tharparkar coast, towards Karachi/Thatta coast, towards Gwadar coast or towards Oman Coast.[54] Cyclones in the Arabian sea form mostly from mid-May to mid-July and then in the month of October. Monsoon season plays a vital role for the formation of cyclones in this basin. Tropical storms that hit Pakistan are mostly remnants by the time they reach Pakistan or make landfall in south eastern Sindh, which is not very populated. They rarely move towards the Balochistan coast.
Due to "Climate Change", now the frequency of Tropical Cyclones formation in the Arabian Sea has been increased and hence threats of landfall towards Karachi has also been increased.[55]
List of tropical cyclones in Pakistan
[edit]Each year before the onset of monsoon (15 May to 15 July) and also after its withdrawal (15 September to 15 November), there is always a distinct possibility of the cyclonic storm to develop in the north Arabian Sea.[56] There is a 50 percent chance of cyclones to turn towards the Indian state of Gujarat, 20 percent chance of moving towards the Oman/Gulf and thirty percent chance of moving towards the Pakistani coast.[57]
There is one tropical cyclone warning centre (TCWC) operational in Pakistan. It is in Karachi, as in operated by the Pakistan Meteorological Department.[58] It monitors different systems that emerge in the Arabian Sea, and issues appropriate advisories, alerts, and warnings.[59][60] During the last 100 years, a number of cyclonic storms have struck Pakistan's coastal areas. The years involved were 1895, 1902, 1907, 1944, 1948, 1964, 1985, 1999, 2007 and 2010.
| Wettest tropical cyclones/depressions in Pakistan Highest known recorded totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precipitation / Rainfall | Name of Tropical Cyclone / Storm | Measurement Station | ||
| Rank | (mm) | (in) | ||
| 1 | 370 mm | 14.57 inches | Phet (2010) | Gwadar[61][62] |
| 2 | 285 mm | 11.22 inches | 2A (1999) | Keti Bandar[63] |
| 3 | 245 mm | 9.64 inches | BOB (2009) | Karachi[64][65][66] |
| 4 | 191 mm | 7.51 inches | BOB 06 (2007) | Karachi[67][68][14] |
| 5 | 145 mm | 5.71 inches | Onil (2004) | Thatta[69] |
| 6 | 110 mm | 3.94 inches | Yemyin (2007) | Karachi |
| 7 | 43 mm | 1.69 inches | BOB 04 (2007) | Karachi[70][71] |
| 8 | 18 mm | 0.70 inches | BOB 03 (2009) | Karachi[72] |
See also
[edit]- 2009 Karachi floods
- Climate of Pakistan
- Climate of Sindh
- Demographics of Karachi
- History of Karachi
- List of extreme weather records in Pakistan
- List of most populous metropolitan areas in Pakistan
- Pakistan Meteorological Department
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