with reference to temperature and rainfall identify and explain the differences in the climatic zones of pakistan.

Climate

Climate of a country is based on a long study of its weather conditions. Pakistan is situated in the north of tropic of cancer. Pakistan is a sub-tropical country. The average temperature of January in the plains of Pakistan is 4 degree C and maximum temperature of the same month is 24 degree C, whereas the minimum temperature in the month of June/July is 30 degree C and maximum temperature in the same month is 48 degree C. The maximum temperatue of Sibbi and Jocobabad is about 52 degree C.

Elements of Climate

The most important elements of climate are temperature, pressure, winds, rainfall and humidity etc.

Situation of Pakistan

Pakistan is situated in the north of tropic of cancer. Pakistan is a sub-tropical country. It is situated in the western part of the monsoon region. Some of the areas in the north of Pakistan is warm and mist, whereas the mountainous area have highland type climate.

Pakistan is divided into following regions on the basis of its climate.
1. Sub-Tropical Continental highland
2. Sub-Tropical Continental plateau
3. Sub-Tropical Continental lowland
4. Sub-Tropical Coast land

1. Sub-Tropical Continental higland

It includes Pakistan’s northern mountain ranges (outer and central Himalayas), north-western mountain ranges. (Waziristan, Zobe and Loralai) and the mountain ranges of Balochistan (Quetta, Sara waft, Central Makran and Jalawan). Here the winter is extremely cold, normally there is snowfall. Summer season is quite cool and in spring and winter seasons there is mostly fog and rainfall.

2. Sub-Tropical Continental plateau

In this climate region most of the parts of Balochistan are included. From may to the mid of september hot and dusty winds continuously blow. Sibbi and Jacobabad are located in this region. There are a few rainfall during the month of January and February (normally 5 cm). Extreme hot, dry and dusty winds are important characteristics of this region.

3. Sub-Tropical Continental lowland

This climated region includes the upper Indus plain (Punjab Province) and lower Indus plain (Sindh Province). Summer is very hot. The north of Punjab receives less rainfall. Winter rainfall situation is the same. In teh Thai, Kachhi, Sibbi and south-eastarn plains and dry and a large area in desert. The Peshawar plain experience thunder storms and dust storms during summer.

4. Sub-Tropical Coastland

This climate region includes the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan province or the southern part of Pakistan. The temperature is moderate. The different between maximum and minimum temperature is less. There is inflow of sea breeze throughout the summer and the humidity is high. Annual average temperature is 32 degree C and rainfall is 18 cm. May and June are the honest months. The plain of Lasbela receives rainfall both in summer and winter seasons. Pakistan is situated in monsoon type of climate. There are extreme variations in the temperature. A major part of Pakistan lies at a great distance from the sea.

By:M.H.KHAN Bangash.