Climate of Sindh
Encyclopedia
The province of Sindh
is situated in a subtropical region; it is hot in the summer and cold in winter. Temperatures frequently rise above 46 °C (114.8 °F) between May and August, and the minimum average temperature of 2 °C (35.6 °F) occurs during December and January. The annual rainfall averages about seven inches, falling mainly during July and August. The southwesterly monsoon
wind begins to blow in mid-February and continues until the end of September, whereas the cool northerly wind blows during the winter months from October to January.
Sindh lies between the two monsoon
s — the southwest monsoon from the Indian Ocean
and the northeast or retreating monsoon, deflected towards it by the Himalayan mountains
— and escapes the influence of both. The average rainfall in Sindh is only 6–7 in (15.2–17.8 cm) per year. The region's scarcity of rainfall is compensated by the inundation of the Indus twice a year, caused by the spring and summer melting of Himalayan snow and by rainfall in the monsoon season. These natural patterns have recently changed somewhat with the construction of dams and barrages on the Indus River
. Parts of southeastern Sindh receive rainfall of up to 36 in (91.4 cm) and some cities have received very heavy rainfall on occasion. In 2005, Hyderabad received 14.4 in (36.6 cm) in just 11 hours.
Sindh is divided into three climatic regions: Siro (the upper region, centred on Jacobabad
), Wicholo (the middle region, centred on Hyderabad), and Lar (the lower region, centred on Karachi
).
The thermal equator passes through upper Sindh, where the air is generally very dry. The highest temperature ever recorded in Sindh was 53.5 °C (128.3 °F), which was recorded in Mohenjo-daro
on 26 May 2010. It was not only the hottest temperature ever recorded in Pakistan but also the hottest reliably measured temperature ever recorded in the continent of Asia
and the fourth highest temperature ever recorded on earth. The previous record for Sindh and Pakistan
, and for all of Asia, had been 52.8 °C (127 °F), reached on 12 June 1919.
In the winters, frost is common. Central Sindh's temperatures are generally lower than those of upper Sindh but higher than those of lower Sindh. Dry hot days and cool nights are typical during the summer. Central Sindh's maximum temperature typically reaches 43–44 °C (109.4–111.2 F). Lower Sindh has a damper and humid maritime climate affected by the southwestern winds in summer and northeastern winds in winter, with lower rainfall than Central Sindh. Lower Sindh's maximum temperature reaches about 35–38 °C (95–100.4 F). In the Kirthar range at 1800 m (5,905.5 ft) and higher at Gorakh Hill
and other peaks in Dadu District
, temperatures near freezing have been recorded and brief snowfall
is received in the winters.In gorakh temperatures in winter nights can sour down to -15.
The highest temperatures each year in Pakistan, typically rising to above 48 °C (118.4 °F), are usually recorded in Shaheed Benazeerabad District (previously called Nawabshah District) and Sibbi from May to August. Sometimes the temperature falls to 0 °C (32 °F); on rare occasions (once every 25 years or so) it has fallen to below -7 °C in December or January.
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
is situated in a subtropical region; it is hot in the summer and cold in winter. Temperatures frequently rise above 46 °C (114.8 °F) between May and August, and the minimum average temperature of 2 °C (35.6 °F) occurs during December and January. The annual rainfall averages about seven inches, falling mainly during July and August. The southwesterly 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...
wind begins to blow in mid-February and continues until the end of September, whereas the cool northerly wind blows during the winter months from October to January.
Sindh lies between the two 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...
s — the southwest monsoon from the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
and the northeast or retreating monsoon, deflected towards it by the Himalayan mountains
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
— and escapes the influence of both. The average rainfall in Sindh is only 6–7 in (15.2–17.8 cm) per year. The region's scarcity of rainfall is compensated by the inundation of the Indus twice a year, caused by the spring and summer melting of Himalayan snow and by rainfall in the monsoon season. These natural patterns have recently changed somewhat with the construction of dams and barrages on the Indus River
Indus River
The Indus River is a major river which flows through Pakistan. It also has courses through China and India.Originating in the Tibetan plateau of western China in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar in Tibet Autonomous Region, the river runs a course through the Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir and...
. Parts of southeastern Sindh receive rainfall of up to 36 in (91.4 cm) and some cities have received very heavy rainfall on occasion. In 2005, Hyderabad received 14.4 in (36.6 cm) in just 11 hours.
Sindh is divided into three climatic regions: Siro (the upper region, centred on Jacobabad
Jacobabad
Jacobabad or Yaqubabad is the capital city of Jacobabad District, Sindh, Pakistan. The city is also the administrative centre of Jacobabad Taluka, an administrative subdivision of the district, the city is subdivided into 8 Union Councils...
), Wicholo (the middle region, centred on Hyderabad), and Lar (the lower region, centred on Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
).
The thermal equator passes through upper Sindh, where the air is generally very dry. The highest temperature ever recorded in Sindh was 53.5 °C (128.3 °F), which was recorded in Mohenjo-daro
Mohenjo-daro
Mohenjo-daro is an archeological site situated in what is now the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2600 BC, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, and one of the world's earliest major urban settlements, existing at the same time as the...
on 26 May 2010. It was not only the hottest temperature ever recorded in Pakistan but also the hottest reliably measured temperature ever recorded in the continent of Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and the fourth highest temperature ever recorded on earth. The previous record for Sindh and 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...
, and for all of Asia, had been 52.8 °C (127 °F), reached on 12 June 1919.
In the winters, frost is common. Central Sindh's temperatures are generally lower than those of upper Sindh but higher than those of lower Sindh. Dry hot days and cool nights are typical during the summer. Central Sindh's maximum temperature typically reaches 43–44 °C (109.4–111.2 F). Lower Sindh has a damper and humid maritime climate affected by the southwestern winds in summer and northeastern winds in winter, with lower rainfall than Central Sindh. Lower Sindh's maximum temperature reaches about 35–38 °C (95–100.4 F). In the Kirthar range at 1800 m (5,905.5 ft) and higher at Gorakh Hill
Gorakh Hill
Gorakh is an under-Development Hill Station of Sindh, Pakistan. It is situated at an elevation of . in the Kirthar Mountains Range's Sindh Segment, 93 km north west of Dadu city...
and other peaks in Dadu District
Dadu District
Dadu is a district of Sindh Province, Pakistan.Dadu district was created in 1933 by the British Indian administration by merging Kotri and Kohistan tehsils from Karachi district and Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Dadu, Johi and Sehwan tehsils from Larkana district. The population of the district is...
, temperatures near freezing have been recorded and brief snowfall
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...
is received in the winters.In gorakh temperatures in winter nights can sour down to -15.
The highest temperatures each year in Pakistan, typically rising to above 48 °C (118.4 °F), are usually recorded in Shaheed Benazeerabad District (previously called Nawabshah District) and Sibbi from May to August. Sometimes the temperature falls to 0 °C (32 °F); on rare occasions (once every 25 years or so) it has fallen to below -7 °C in December or January.
See also
- Climate of KarachiClimate of KarachiThe climate of Karachi features an arid climate, albeit a moderate version of this climate. Karachi is located on the coast and as a result has a relatively mild climate. Karachi has two main seasons; Summer & Winter, while spring and autumn are very short. Summer season persists for longest period...
- Climate of PakistanClimate of PakistanPakistan lies in the temperate zone. The climate is generally varied throughout the country, characterized by hot summers and cool or cold winters. The upper parts of Pakistan usually receive precipitation from the Western Disturbance...
- Climate of HyderabadClimate of HyderabadThe climate of Hyderabad features an arid climate. The days are hot and dry, usually going up to extreme highs of , while the nights are cool and breezy. Winds usually bring along clouds of dust, and people prefer staying indoors in the daytime, while the breezes at night are pleasant and clean.In...
- Climate of NawabshahClimate of NawabshahThe climate of Nawabshah is hot to extremely hot during the summers and cold/foggy during the winters. The highest temperatures each year in Pakistan, typically rising to above , are usually recorded in Nawabshah District and Sibbi from May to August...
- List of extreme weather records in Pakistan