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* During the first week of June 152mm rain occurred due to [[Cyclone Phet]] with winds gusting to 35mph.
* During the first week of June 152mm rain occurred due to [[Cyclone Phet]] with winds gusting to 35mph.
* From 5th July till 6th July a Pre-monsoon low came to Sindh from Indian state of Gujarat and caused 7mm rain on monday, Tuesday(9.8mm) and on Wednesday(45mm).
* From 5th July till 6th July a Pre-monsoon low came to Sindh from Indian state of Gujarat and caused 7mm rain on monday, Tuesday(9.8mm) and on Wednesday(45mm).
* Then mositure coming from the Arabian sea caused drizzle that was 2mm and 3mm on the next day, drizzle is common during monsoon season.
* Then mositure coming from the Arabian sea caused drizzle that was 2mm and 3mm on the next day, drizzle is common during monsoon season
* Mid-tropospheric circulation formed near Sindh coast on 12th July and caused 11mm in the city.
* Mid-tropospheric circulation formed near Sindh coast on 12th July and caused 11mm in the city. Then during the mid-July monsoon low produced heavy rains in the city that is on Monday(55mm), Tuesday(94mm), Wednesday(37mm), Thursday(22mm). Another Low pressure from [[Bay of Bengal]] (although the low pressure move towards south of Punjab and Upper Sindh areas later) in the city caused 3mm rain on 1st august. Then again a new monsoon low produced (66.8mm on Saturday), (70mm on Sunday), (60mm on Monday) during the first week of August. While a weak low pressure over the upper parts of the country caused 3 mm rain on 15th and again 3.1mm rain on 16th evening. Then a westerly wave interacted with monsoon currents in the upper parts of the country that caused 4mm rain on 24th august here. On 1st september a monsoon low from indian state of Gujarat approached Sindh coast and caused 5mm rain with strong winds and thunder. Then on 9th september a fresh well marked low pressure approached the Sindh province and caused 36.5mm rain with gusting winds accompained by thunder and 64mm rain (Landhi) on 10th sep with strong gusting winds and thunderstorm, more heavy downpour expected. '''Thus astonishly 753.2mm rain has been recorded'''. Karachi is facing its most wettest and most longest monsoon in 10 years as there are chances of more heavy downpour during the last weeks of september.
* A strong low pressure approached from India and caused very heavy downpour in the city from 20th July till 23rd July that is on Monday (55mm), Tuesday(94mm), Wednesday(37mm), Thursday(22mm). About 208mm rain occured in four days.
* On 1st August another Low pressure from [[Bay of Bengal]] (although the low pressure move towards south of Punjab and Upper Sindh areas later) in the city caused 3mm rain.
* From 8th till 10th August a new monsoon low from indian state of Gujarat produced (66.8mm on Saturday), (70mm on Sunday), (60mm on Monday).
* From 15th August till 16th August a weak low pressure over the upper parts of the country caused 3mm rain on Sunday and again 3.1mm rain on Monday.
* On 24th August 4mm rain occured in the city when a westerly wave interacted with monsoon currents in the upper parts of the country.
* On 1st september a monsoon low from indian state of Gujarat approached Sindh coast and caused 5mm rain with strong winds and lightening.
* From 9th september to 10th september strong "well" marked low pressure approached the Sindh province and caused 36.5mm rain on Thursday with gusting winds accompained by thunder and 64mm rain on Friday (Landhi) with strong winds gusting to 34mph and thunderstorm, more heavy downpour expected.
* '''Thus astonishly 753.2mm rain has been recorded'''.
Karachi is facing its most wettest and most longest monsoon in 10 years as there are chances of more heavy downpour during the last weeks of september.


==Pakistan Meteorological Departments in Karachi==
==Pakistan Meteorological Departments in Karachi==

Revision as of 14:51, 10 September 2010

File:Cliamte.jpg
Iconic View Of Karachi

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.


Climate data for Karachi, Pakistan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32
(90) 		34
(93) 		41
(106) 		44
(111) 		48
(118) 		46
(115) 		43
(109) 		37
(99) 		41
(106) 		42
(108) 		38
(100) 		33
(91) 		48
(118)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 25
(77) 		26
(79) 		29
(84) 		32
(90) 		34
(93) 		34
(93) 		33
(91) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		33
(91) 		31
(88) 		27
(81) 		34
(93)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 13
(55) 		14
(57) 		19
(66) 		23
(73) 		26
(79) 		28
(82) 		27
(81) 		26
(79) 		25
(77) 		22
(72) 		18
(64) 		14
(57) 		13
(55)
Record low °C (°F) 0
(32) 		3
(37) 		7
(45) 		12
(54) 		18
(64) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		20
(68) 		18
(64) 		10
(50) 		6
(43) 		1
(34) 		0
(32)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 13
(0.5) 		10
(0.4) 		8
(0.3) 		3
(0.1) 		3
(0.1) 		18
(0.7) 		85
(3.3) 		61
(2.4) 		13
(0.5) 		0
(0) 		3
(0.1) 		5
(0.2) 		222
(8.7)
Source: [1] & [2]

Monthly break up of climate

The following is the monthly breakup of the weather in Karachi.

January

In the month of January, the cold conditions continue in the city and sometimes get very cold due to Western Disturbance. Humidity remains low in January. Rains in this month is light rarely it gets heavy. But the sky remains overcast. The highest rainfall of this month is of 89.3 millimetres (3.52 in) which occurred in 1995.[3] The lowest temperature of 0.0 °C (32.0 °F) was recorded on 21st January 1934.[4] while the highest temperature of 32.8 °C (91.0 °F) was recorded on 16th January, 1965.[5]

February

Till the mid of the month the cold conditions continue but after that the weather becomes mild throughout the month. Like in January the sky remains overcast with drizzle or light rain as a result of western disturbance. Humidity remains between 40-60%. The lowest temperature was 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) on 11th February, 1950 and highest is 36.1 °C (97.0 °F) on 25th February, 1996.[6] The highest monthly rainfall of 96 millimetres (3.8 in) was recorded in 1979.[7]

March

Till the beginning of March the weather had been turned hot. The lowest temperature ever recorded was 7 °C (45 °F) on 9th March, 1979 and the highest was 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) on 2nd March 2004.[8] The highest temperature was again recorded in 2010. 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 millimetres (5.1 in) rain in 1967, which is March's highest rainfall for the city.[9]

April

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 during the month is 44.4 °C (111.9 °F) which was recorded on 16th April, 1947 while the lowest temperature of 12.2 °C (54.0 °F) was recorded on 29th April, 1967.[10] Rain is uncommon in this month being dry and hot. The highest monthly rainfall of 52.8 millimetres (2.08 in) was recorded in 1935.[11]

May

May is the hottest month of Karachi with temperatures sometimes above 40 °C. The hottest May was on 9th May, 1938 when temperatures touched 48.8 °C (119.8 °F) and the lowest temperature ever recorded was on 4th May 1989 when 17.7°C was recorded.[12] The humidity is quite high in this month as well between 70–80%. The traffic remains low during the afternoon due to intense heat. Cool drinks and sharbat attracts lot of people to beat the heat. The rainfall remains rare during this month and the sky remains cloudless. The highest monthly rain that occured was in May 1933 when 33.3mm rain lashed the city.[13] 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. Cyclone Phet was also formed in May 2010 at about 1100km away from Karachi.

June

Drizzle is common in June as Pre-Monsoon rain.

Temperatures of May continue in June as well with slight decrease. The highest temperature of June was 47 °C (117 °F) that occurred on 18th June, 1979 and the lowest was 22.1 °C (71.8 °F) recorded on 3rd June 1997.[14] . 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 110.5 millimetres (4.35 in) [15] while the average rainfall is less than 20 mm. On June 6, 2010, Cyclone Phet came close to the coast of Karachi, at about 50 km away from the city after a week long journey. Phet produced very heavy downpour in the city which broke the previous record of June made in 2007, about 152 millimetres (6.0 in) rain with 35 mph 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 light drizzle with cloudy weather.

July

File:July floods karachi (1).jpg
Flooded road in the city

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 (108.0 °F) was recorded on 3rd July 1958 and the lowest temperature was 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) on 22th July 1997.[16] The highest rainfall for July is 429.3 mm (16.90 in) that occurred in 1967.[17] In 2003, a monsoon low pressure created flood like situation in Sindh Province, with continuous spells of rain in Karachi at least 284.5mm rain was recorded during two days of non-stop rain. Then six year later on July 18, 2009, there was severe flooding, in which heavy rainfall of 205 mm (8.1 in) occurred[18], killing 20 and injuring 150 people, the highest rainfall of 207 mm (8.1 in) in 24 hours was recorded on July 1st,1977.[19] 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.

August

File:July (1)karachi.jpg
Heavy rains lashing the port city

The weather of August is identical to that of July. One or two weather systems lash the city in this month that cause significant floodings but less as compared to July. Still the rain are heavy and have the potential to cause flooding. In 2006 after two years of drought period that is 2004 and 2005, Widespread rainfall of 60 millimetres (2.4 in) occurred in the city that broke the drought period. On 10th August, 2007 a very strong tropical depression produced 159.4 millimetres (6.28 in) in two days.[20] rain that continued for three days with intense thunderstorms and then just five days later again another monsoon low produced 81 millimetres (3.2 in) rain on 22nd August, 2007. Then the monsoon starts to get weak from the last week of August but still has the potential to cause heavy rains in the city as between 31st Augsut 2009 and 1st September 2009, when 110 millimetres (4.3 in) of rain was recorded during 48 hours.[21][22] But historical events has shown that monsoon withdraws from Karachi during last days of August. The highest rainfall for August is 262.5 millimetres (10.33 in) that occurred in 1979 and the highest temperature in 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) on 9th August, 1964, while the lowest temperature is 21.0 °C (69.8 °F) that was recorded on 7th august 1984.[23]

September

First two Weeks of September can have some good rains because after the first two weeks of September monsoon completely withdraws from the city. The sky remains sunny and dry. With slight decrease in humidity that is between 70–80% but increase in temperatures. Rain in this month is spotty. During the year of 2004 the city received no significant rains except for few drizzle with the exception of heavy rain which occurred in September due to Cyclone Onil. But that is very rare in some cases very uncommon. The highest rainfall for September is 315.7 millimetres (12.43 in) that occurred in 1959.[24] The highest temperature is 42.2 °C (108.0 °F) thar occurred on 30th September, 1951 and the lowest temperature recorded was18.2 °C (64.8 °F) on 23rd September 1994.[25]

October

Beautiful Sunset in Karachi

October is the driest month of the city, with the highest temperature of 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) was recorded on 1st October 1959 and lowest was 10.0 °C (50.0 °F) recorded on 30th October 1949.[26] Morning is hazy and the winds are calm, the sky remains clear with hot conditions. The highest monthly rainfall for october is 98mm that occured in 1959.[27]

November

November has hot days while cool nights. Weather remains hot and dry. The mid-November is just like October due to Autumn. While during the last weeks of November there is a gradual decrease in temperature 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. Showers occur in this month due to Western Disturbance and causes the temperatures to decrease. The highest rainfall for November is 83.1 millimetres (3.27 in) which occurred in 1959.[28] While the highest and lowest temperatures are 38.5 °C (101.3 °F) recorded on 2nd November, 1994 and 6.1 °C (43.0 °F) recorded on 29th November, 1938 respectively.[29]

December

The month of December is the annual winter month, but winter becomes more chilly in January. In December weather remains cool. Sky remains cloudy for some time of the month causing temperatures to decrease. Rainfalls are common in the city during the month of December due to western disturbance coming from mediterranean sea. The highest monthly rainfall of 63.6 millimetres (2.50 in) was recorded in 1980.[30] During December 2006 a strong westerly "low" pressure resulted in 60.5mm rain in the city. The highest temperature is 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) recorded on 11th December 2001 and lowest temperature for December is 1.3 °C (34.3 °F) that occurred on 14th December, 1986.[31]

List of Cyclones that Effected Karachi and Sindh Coast

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.

  • In 1965, a powerful cyclone hit the city with 10,000 casualties.
  • In 1998, remnants of category 3 1998 Gujarat cyclone (5th strongest cyclone of Arabian sea) killed 12 people near and in the city
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • In 2004, a cyclonic storm Cyclone Onil hit Indian border of Gujarat but its remnants caused heavy rain that killed 9 people in Karachi.
  • 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.
  • 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 casualties in and near the city.

Monsoon rainfall For Karachi

Note that the annual rainfall for Karachi is 200mm and the highest annual rainfall ever recorded was in 1967 that is 711.5mm (Jan-Dec) but that record is broken this year as upto 753 mm of rain has occurred till now, while annual Monsoon rains for Karachi amount to 146.5mm and the highest annual monsoon rainfall (June-August) was recorded in the year 2010 that was 753.2 rainfall. But due to Global Warming there has been dramatic change in the climate examples can be seen in the year 2003, 2006, 2007 ,2009 and 2010. The following is the annual monsoon rainfall for last few monsoons seasons (July–August).

  • In 2003, a total of 407.5 millimetres (16.04 in) rainfall was recorded.
  • In 2004, a total of 39.7 millimetres (1.56 in) rainfall was recorded.
  • In 2005, a total of 56.5 millimetres (2.22 in) rainfall was recorded.
  • In 2006, a total of 236.7 millimetres (9.32 in) rainfall was recorded
  • In 2007, a total of 435.4 millimetres (17.14 in) rainfall was recorded.
  • In 2008, a total of 95.5 millimetres (3.76 in) rainfall was recorded.
  • In 2009, a total of 426.1 millimetres (16.78 in) rainfall was recorded.
  • In 2010, a total of 753.2 millimetres (29.65 in) rainfall was recorded as of 10th September evening. (2010 Monsoon still active)

Timeline for Rains in 2010 Monsoon

Though the monsoon rains of 2010 in karachi did not create havoc in the city. But the number of days of rain was greater in 2010 monsoon while the intensity was moderate to heavy. Like in 2009 the number of days of rain were less but the intensity was heavy to very heavy. Only in 2007 the number of days and the intensity of rains was very heavy to very strong.

  • During the first week of June 152mm rain occurred due to Cyclone Phet with winds gusting to 35mph.
  • From 5th July till 6th July a Pre-monsoon low came to Sindh from Indian state of Gujarat and caused 7mm rain on monday, Tuesday(9.8mm) and on Wednesday(45mm).
  • Then mositure coming from the Arabian sea caused drizzle that was 2mm and 3mm on the next day, drizzle is common during monsoon season
  • Mid-tropospheric circulation formed near Sindh coast on 12th July and caused 11mm in the city.
  • A strong low pressure approached from India and caused very heavy downpour in the city from 20th July till 23rd July that is on Monday (55mm), Tuesday(94mm), Wednesday(37mm), Thursday(22mm). About 208mm rain occured in four days.
  • On 1st August another Low pressure from Bay of Bengal (although the low pressure move towards south of Punjab and Upper Sindh areas later) in the city caused 3mm rain.
  • From 8th till 10th August a new monsoon low from indian state of Gujarat produced (66.8mm on Saturday), (70mm on Sunday), (60mm on Monday).
  • From 15th August till 16th August a weak low pressure over the upper parts of the country caused 3mm rain on Sunday and again 3.1mm rain on Monday.
  • On 24th August 4mm rain occured in the city when a westerly wave interacted with monsoon currents in the upper parts of the country.
  • On 1st september a monsoon low from indian state of Gujarat approached Sindh coast and caused 5mm rain with strong winds and lightening.
  • From 9th september to 10th september strong "well" marked low pressure approached the Sindh province and caused 36.5mm rain on Thursday with gusting winds accompained by thunder and 64mm rain on Friday (Landhi) with strong winds gusting to 34mph and thunderstorm, more heavy downpour expected.
  • Thus astonishly 753.2mm rain has been recorded.

Karachi is facing its most wettest and most longest monsoon in 10 years as there are chances of more heavy downpour during the last weeks of september.

Pakistan Meteorological Departments in Karachi

See also

References

  1. ^ met.gov.pk
  2. ^ bbc.co.uk/weather
  3. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  4. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  5. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  6. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  7. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  8. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  9. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  10. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  11. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  12. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  13. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  14. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  15. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  16. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  17. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  18. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/rainfalljuly09.htm
  19. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/Climate/Karachi_Climate_Data.txt
  20. ^ http://www.dawn.com/2007/08/11/local1.htm
  21. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/rainfallaug09.htm
  22. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/rainfallsep09.htm
  23. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  24. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  25. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  26. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  27. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  28. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  29. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  30. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm
  31. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/KARACHI.htm

External links

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