Climate of Quetta - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The climate of Quetta, Pakistan

Pakistan

Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...

features a continental and arid with significant variations between summer and winter temperatures. The highest temperature recorded in Quetta is 42 °C (107.6 °F) on 10 July 1998. The lowest temperature in Quetta is -18.3 C which was recorded on 8 January 1970.

Summer

Summer

Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice...

starts in late May and continues until early September with average temperatures ranging from 24 °C (75.2 °F) to 26 °C (78.8 °F). Autumn

Autumn

Autumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....

starts in late September and continues until mid-November with average temperatures of 12 °C (53.6 °F) to 18 °C (64.4 °F). Winter

Winter

Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring. At the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest, with days lengthening as the season progresses after the solstice.-Meteorology:...

starts from the first week of October and ends in late March, with average temperatures near 4 °C (39.2 °F) to 5 °C (41 °F). Spring

Spring (season)

Spring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and broadly to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and...

starts in early April and ends in late May, with average temperatures close to 15 °C (59 °F). Unlike most of Pakistan

Pakistan

, however, Quetta does not have a monsoon

Monsoon

Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...

of sustained, heavy rainfall. The highest rainfall during a 24-hour period is 113 millimetres (4.4 in) recorded on 17 December 2000; the highest monthly rainfall is 232.4 millimetres (9.1 in), which was recorded in March, 1982; and the highest annual rainfall recorded is 949.8 millimetres (37.4 in) in 1982. The principle mode of precipitation in winter is snow

Snow

Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...

, falls mostly in December, January, February and sometimes even in March.

January

January is the coldest month in Quetta, the Western Disturbance

Western Disturbance

Western Disturbance is the term used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal to describe an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean, that brings sudden winter rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. This is a non-monsoonal precipitation pattern driven by...

causes rainfall with occasional snowfall in the city. The highest temperature on record 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) on 28 January 1987; and the lowest temperature is -18.3 C, recorded on 8 January 1970. The highest monthly rainfall recorded was 178 millimetres (7 in) in 1982; while the most rain in a 24-hours period was 69 millimetres (2.7 in) on 30 January 1982.

January is the most probable month and best suited for snow. The western disturbance is at the peak of the season, and the combination of wintriness makes this month most suitable for the season's heavy snow. All the decades of this month are crucial for the snow to fall. During the past years the city have seen some record snowfalls during this month.

February

The weather in February is somewhat similar to that of January: generally cold, with Western Disturbance causing rains and snowfall. The highest temperature ever recorded was 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) on 16 February 2002, and lowest temperature was -16.7 C on 1 February 1970. While the highest monthly rainfall is 189.2 millimetres (7.4 in) in 1982; The heaviest rainfall in 24-hours was 54 millimetres (2.1 in) on 17 February 2003.

On February 28, 2011 heavy hailstorms lashed the valley followed by heavy rainfall.
A total of 126 millimetres (5 in) of rainfall was recorded during the month of February in 2011, which is the third highest rain in February after the record 189.2 millimetres (7.4 in) of rain in 1982 and 141 millimetres (5.6 in) in 2003.

The probability of falling snow in this month is high, every year the city receives light to moderate snow during the month mostly during the first two decades of the month, however the there are chances of snow even in the last decade of the month.

March

March is the most wettest month of the city, the weather remains cold, but towards the end of the month becomes milder. The Western Disturbance continues to effect the weather, producing hailstorms and causing rains with strong winds, and the chances of snowfall on the mountains around the city, and occasional chances of snowfall in the city mostly during the first two decades of the month. The likelihood of thunderstorms is very high during the month, with the possibility of some incredible thunders in the city followed by heavy downpour.

On March 8, 2007 light snowfall occurred in the city. The highest temperature for the month of March was 31 °C (87.8 °F) on 8 March 2004, while the lowest was -8.3 C on 12 March 1973. The highest monthly rainfall recorded was 232.4 millimetres (9.1 in) in 1982; the heaviest rain in a 24-hours period was 75 millimetres (3 in) on 31 March 1985.

April

The thunderstorms persist during the first decade of the month, and continue intermittently during the second and third decades. The weather in April is similar to the weather of March. The highest temperature recorded was 35 °C (95 °F) on 27 April 1979, and lowest temperature was -3.9 C on 2 April 1965. The highest monthly rainfall was 158.7 millimetres (6.2 in) in 1992. the heaviest rainfall in a 24-hour period was 49 millimetres (1.9 in) on 12 April 1983.

In April 2011, Quetta saw two major wet spells, the first one commenced from April 7 to April 12, while the second one started from April 14 to April 17 intermittently. During the period, the city was battered by heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms. On 16 April, lightning killed one person and injured three persons near Pashtoon street in Brawrey. In April 2011, Quetta received 42 millimetres (1.7 in) of rain, which is highest monthly rainfall in April since 2000.

May

In May, the weather starts to get hotter. The highest temperature was 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) on 11 May 2000, and the lowest was -0.3 C on 3 May 1989. Humidity levels decline as compared to other months. The highest monthly rainfall recorded was 39.9 millimetres (1.6 in) in 1963; and the heaviest rainfall recorded in a 24-hour period was 28 millimetres (1.1 in) on 25 May 2003. On 2 May 2005, a storm covered the entire city with a blanket of dust that lasted for many days.

June

June is the hottest month in Quetta. Temperatures can reach 40 °C (104 °F), with the highest on record at 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) on 4 June 2005, and on four other occasions. The lowest temperature was 6 °C (42.8 °F) on 14 June 1979.

In 2007, Cyclone Yemyin

Cyclone Yemyin

Cyclone Yemyin was a deadly tropical cyclone that made landfalls on India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Meteorological Department referred to Tropical Cyclone 03B as "Tropical Cyclone Yemyin"...

hit the coastal areas of Balochistan

Balochistan

Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...

, and caused rains in most parts of the province, including Quetta producing a record breaking 61 millimetres (2.4 in) of rain between 22 June to 30. The heaviest rainfall in a 24-hour period of 20 millimetre (0.78740157480315 in) was recorded on 29 June 2007.

July

July is the hottest month in Quetta.Since Quetta lies partially outside the belt of Monsoon therefore Monsoon effect is seldom visible in the city.However sometimes if monsoon gets strong enough then quetta can also have some rains. The highest temperature recorded in the month was 42 °C (107.6 °F) on 10 July 1998, while the lowest temperature was 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) on 11 July 1977. and the highest rainfall for this month is 121.8 millimetres (4.8 in) in 1978; The heaviest rainfall in a 24-hour perion was 42 millimetres (1.7 in) on 24 July 1995.
On 14 July 2006 a severe dust storm hit the Quetta valley for three consecutive days, reducing visibility to less than a kilometer. Again on 23 July 2007, another dust storm enveloped the city and its surroundings, reducing visibility to less than a kilometer but also affected both air and vehicle traffic.

August

August is also a hot month in Quetta, with a highest temperature recorded of 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) on 9 August 1970; conversely the lowest temperature was 3.9 °C (39 °F) on 29 August 1972. The heaviest monthly rainfall recorded was 121.8 millimetres (4.8 in) in 1978; and the heaviest rainfall in 24-hours was 102 millimetres (4 in) on 3 August 1983.

September

In September, the weather remains mild, but gets colder towards the last week of the month. It is one of the driest month in the city. The highest recorded temperature was 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) on 1 September 1970, and lowest was -0.6 C on 30 September 1962. with the heaviest rainfall of a 24-hour period standing at 28 millimetres (1.1 in) on 5 September 1994. On 8 September 2008, a dust storm covered the entire city, and lasted for many days.

In 2011, spell of monsoon rains produced widespread heavy rains in sindh and north eastern parts of Balochistan. The weather system produced unusual record breaking rains in Quetta that broke the record for highest monthly rainfall of 62 millimetres (2.4 in), recorded in 1994. On September 3, 33 millimetres (1.3 in) rain was recorded again on September 5, 45 millimetres (1.8 in) of rain was recorded that broke the record two times of highest rainfall of 28 millimetres (1.1 in) recorded in 1994.

As of September 6, 85 millimetres (3.3 in) of rain was recorded. Pakistan Meteorological department has predicted more rains in the city.

October

October is the driest month in the city, with a record highest monthly rainfall of 68.8 millimetres (2.7 in) in 1982; and a 24-hour record of 30 millimetres (1.2 in) on 19 October 1982. The highest and lowest temperatures are 34 °C (93.2 °F) on 1 October 1998 and -6.7 C on 27 October 1964, respectively. In October, 2011 the city received second highest rainfall of 31.1 millimetres (1.2 in).

November

Winter begins in November,as the Western Disturbance returns with rain and possibly snow over the mountains. The highest and lowest temperatures recorded for the month were 36 °C (96.8 °F) on 3 November 1998 and -13.3 C on 30 November 1964, respectively. On 14 November 2008, the minimum temperature recorded was -8 C as the Quetta valley, and major parts of Balochistan, were in the grip of a cold front for several days.

The heaviest rainfall recorded was 30 millimetres (1.2 in) for a 24-hour period on 16 November 2003. While the heaviest rainfall for the month was 72 millimetres (2.8 in) in 2006;

December

December is an historical cold month for the city. The Western Disturbance continues to cause rain and snowfall. The heaviest rainfall for the month was 162 millimetres (6.4 in) in 1982;, and the heaviest rainfall for 24-hours was recorded at 113 millimetres (4.4 in) on 17 December 2000. The highest and lowest temperatures recorded were 25 °C (77 °F) on 14 December 1970 and -16.7 C on 12 December 1964, respectively.

December is the wettest month of the city during the winter season. The rainfall intensity gains strength during the last decade of the month, however the possibility of rainfall still persist all over the month. There are fair chances of snowfall most probably during the last decade when the weather conditions are favorable.

In 2010, Quetta saw its record lowest monthly mean temperature of December which is -7 C since 2000, the severe cold wave started on 28 November, 2010 and continued till January 17th, 2011. Pakistan Meteorological Department

Pakistan Meteorological Department

The Pakistan Meteorological Department, also known as Pak Met Office, is a Government of Pakistan organization which works under the Ministry of Defence...

had forecasted in their Weather Advisory that during the coming period, mercury level may reach -12 C. However at the peak of the severe cold wave the temperature dropped to -9 C for consecutive four days, from 9 to 12 December, 2010. On the whole the temperature ranges between -5 C to -9 C during the severe cold wave.

Cold front

Quetta is one of the coldest places in Balochistan

Balochistan

Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...

and Pakistan

Pakistan

. The lowest temperature of -18.3 C in the history of Quetta was recorded on 8 January 1970. Every year during winter season temperatures reaches near -10 C, while the temperature below -15 C are not uncommon either. As for many consecutive years, the city had experienced temperatures below -14 C several times.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department

Pakistan Meteorological Department

The Pakistan Meteorological Department, also known as Pak Met Office, is a Government of Pakistan organization which works under the Ministry of Defence...

's recording of severe cold weather since 1960 are recorded below:

History of severe cold wave in Quetta
Temperature below -10 C recorded in Quetta since 1960
Date	Year	Temperature	References
1962	30 November	-13.3 C
1964	12 December	-16.7 C
1970	8 January	-18.3 C
1970	1 February	-16.7 C
1973	28 January	-11 C
1976	9 December	-10 C
1978	27 December	-11 C
1980	5 February	-12 C
1984	20 February	-11.3 C
1984	21 February	-10.8 C
1984	22 December	-10 C
1984	23 December	-11 C
1984	24 December	-11 C
1986	13 December	-11 C
1986	14 December	-12.2 C
1986	16 December	-10.5 C
1987	3 December	-10 C
1994	10 January	-10.5 C
1994	10 December	-11.5 C
1988	20 February	-10.5 C
2001	2 February	-10.1 C
2006	4 January	-12.5 C
2006	5 January	-12.5 C
2006	6 January	-12.5 C
2006	7 January	-11.1 C
2007	4 January	-14 C
2008	6 January	-11 C
2008	5 February	-15 C
2008	8 February	-10 C
2010	10 February	-10 C
2010	31 December	-10 C
2011	1 January	-10 C

Snowfall

Quetta usually receives snow in December, January, and February, though it is not unusual to have a snowfall as late as March. During the drought of 1998-2002, Quetta didn't receive any snowfall; while in 2004, 2005, and 2008 it snowed only once in the year. In 2004 and 2008, the city received heavy snow twice after hiatus of fifteen years.

On 31 December 2004 Quetta received more than one foot of snow for the first time in fifteen years, though in 2006, 2007 and 2009 the city did not get snow. On 29 January 2008, Quetta had four inches in four hours, a few days later, on 2 February 2008, Quetta received more than one foot of snow in just 10 hours. During the winter of 2010, there was no snowfall due to the El-Nino

El Niño-Southern Oscillation

El Niño/La Niña-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, is a quasiperiodic climate pattern that occurs across the tropical Pacific Ocean roughly every five years...

weather system over Pakistan.

The major snowfalls in Quetta since 2000 are:

On 18 February 2003 Quetta received 6 inches of snowfall for the first time since the drought hit the province in 1998.
On 29 January 2004 Quetta received heavy snowfall after a long period of five years.
On 31 December 2004 Quetta received more than one foot of snowfall after fifteen years.
On 29 January 2008 Quetta received more than four inches of snowfall in four hours.
On 2 February 2008 Quetta received more than one foot of snow in just 10 hours.
On 12 February 2009, Quetta received heavy snowfall.

Annual rainfall

The average annual rainfall for Quetta is 212.9 millimetres (8.4 in). The city mainly receives rain from the west during the winter season, from November till the end March. In 2003, the city received light snowfall of 6 inches for the first time since the drought hit the province in 1998. In 2004 and 2005, Quetta received normal rains with snow falling two time in January 2004 and December, 2004 and light snow in 2005. While in 2006 Quetta received almost normal rainfalls although above normal rains in July and August. The rainfall in 2007 were also normal while received record breaking monthly rainfall of 61 millimetres (2.4 in) in June. In 2008 Quetta received normal rains with snow falling two times in January, and February. In 2009 Quetta received the heaviest annual rainfall since 2000, a total of 320.4 millimetres (12.6 in) of rain fell with no snow was recorded except the traces of snowfall in February. In 2010 the city received below normal rains of just 104 millimetres (4.1 in), the lowest since 2001.

The annual rainfall since 1982, based on data from Pakistan Meteorological Department:

Year	Rainfall(mm)	Notes
1982	949.8 millimetres (37.4 in)	The highest annual rainfall ever recorded in Quetta.
1991	360 millimetres (14.2 in)
1992	349 millimetres (13.7 in)
1993	190 millimetres (7.5 in)
1994	225 millimetres (8.9 in)
1995	290 millimetres (11.4 in)
1996	155 millimetres (6.1 in)
1997	305 millimetres (12 in)
1998	152 millimetres (6 in)
1999	150 millimetres (5.9 in)
2000	60 millimetres (2.4 in)
2001	80 millimetres (3.1 in)
2002	115 millimetres (4.5 in)
2003	219 millimetres (8.6 in)	*Data of Oct, Nov & Dec not available
2004	105.9 millimetres (4.2 in)	More than 16 Inches of snowfall, after a long period of five years
2005	310.5 millimetres (12.2 in)
2006	223 millimetres (8.8 in)	*Data of Sept & Oct not available
2007	284 millimetres (11.2 in)
2008	138 millimetres (5.4 in)	More than 14 Inches of snowfall
2009	317 millimetres (12.5 in)
2010	104 millimetres (4.1 in)
2011	437.6 millimetres (17.2 in)	As of December 01, 2011

Drought

Quetta was affected by a severe drought

Drought

A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...

spell resulted from very low rainfall in the winter season of 1998. The La-Nina phenomena was responsible for below normal rains Balochistan

Balochistan

Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...

including Quetta city from 1998, after diminishing in December, 2000 it was reappeared, and lasted till March, 2001 after that it faded gradually in the next few months. During the sever drought North Balochistan

Balochistan

Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...

received about 30% less rain while South Balochistan

Balochistan

Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...

received 50-60% less than normal rain.

At the peak of the drought in 2000, the city received just 60 millimetres (2.4 in) of rainfall, while almost no rainfall or snowfall was observed in winter season. The drought enveloped the whole country and resulted in 30% below normal rains in Pakistan

Pakistan

.

At least 1.2 million people in Balochistan were affected by drought, and over 100 died, mostly because of dehydration, according to the government sources.

Pakistan Meteorological Departments in Quetta

Regional Met. Centre, Quetta
Geophysical Centre, Quetta

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Cold front

Snowfall

Annual rainfall

Drought

Pakistan Meteorological Departments in Quetta

See also

External links