January 2017 has already started in Pakistan and the winter season is still rather mild in most areas. In fact, the weather seems more or less the same as in early October of the last year.
Many are wondering whether this is just an anomaly or will this become a permanent feature for Pakistan’s weather from now on. Farmers, rural areas, urban areas, towns, cities – you name it. Everyone is concerned since it seems like climate change has been affecting weather patterns on a global scale.
Today we will be looking at these questions:
- Is climate change playing havoc with Pakistan’s weather?
- How did it affect the weather in the country last year?
- What are the reasons behind Pakistan’s change in weather this year?
The answer to the first question is yes, climate change has indeed affected Pakistan. And here’s how:
Winter in Pakistan During 2016-17
There’s been virtually no rain in most of Pakistan ever since the winter season started. December-January period usually comprises of regular rainfall with the temperatures dropping below 0 in most areas of Punjab, KPK, Balochistan and the northern areas including Azad Kashmir.
What’s more astonishing is that snowfall has also been scarce in the northern areas of Pakistan.
Temperatures in Islamabad haven’t dropped below 5 degrees Celsius. Similarly, the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures in Pakistan has been higher than usual. For example, in Lahore, the temperature difference has been about 13 degrees Celsius this winter compared to 7 degrees Celsius last year.
The day times are unusually warmer this year. Similar weather patterns have been reported in Karachi which hasn’t witnessed rains in months and temperatures have been so high that it still feels like late summer in the country’s biggest city, save for the occasional cold winter night or two here and there.
Why is this happening? We take a look at 3 reasons why:
Warm Weather Phenomena in Pakistan
Pakistan’s meteorological department has also confirmed that sudden weather changes are the cause of this climate phenomenon in Pakistan.
Warm air patterns within Pakistan are responsible for warmer winters
Anti-cyclonic circulations over Khairpur and Nawabshah region are spreading warm and dry winds, increasing the temperature. This has resulted in higher than usual temperatures in the surrounding regions as well.
El Niño Southern Oscillation Affect
The secondary reason, is the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) affect. This ENSO, occurs every 3 to 10 years and causes severely warmer weather in the tropical central and eastern Pacific Ocean warms up. This leads to worldwide weather changes and severely affects the South Asian climate, causing droughts.
The stronger than ever El Niño affect causes warmer climates and less rain
The strong effects of the ENSO have previously had similar affects in Pakistan causing long spells of no rain and warmer climates. El-Nino years are considered to be the reason for higher temperatures in the region during winter.
With no rain and little moisture in the air, it’s hard for people to wear warm clothing during the current winter season.
Change in Western Weather Patterns
Another usual occurrence for Pakistan are the Western Disturbances. Winds and rains result due to these western weather patterns. Coming from the Mediterranean Sea, these disturbances bring moderate rainfall to the southern areas of Pakistan and heavy rainfall/snowfall in the northern part of the country.
Western disturbances are less intense in 2016 winter
This winter, these Western Disturbances are less intense as moisture in the air gets drained before it reaches Pakistan. This has resulted in less rain and no chilly wind flow, ultimately preventing the temperature from falling to usual levels in both, the mountainous and plain areas of the country.
Final Words
This is the warmest year on earth since 1880, with almost every single month breaking records set in the past years. It might rain or snowfall a little in the northern areas of Pakistan, however these scarce rains are not expected to bring the temperatures down by a lot. Additionally, normal rainfall or temperatures are not forecast for the near future.
With the warmer temperatures in mind, an early spring season could be expected in 2017. This could very well mean a rather short-lived winter season that never was. With the effects of climate change becoming ever more severe, one has to wonder if the winter season is every going to be the same.
Karachi main to becharay stores k winter season k khuwab chakna choor hogaye. Karachi main to Sardi lagta hai aayegi he nahi.
Karachi walay winter seson k kapre usi waqt lete hein jab unko sardion mey., Northern Areas ghoomnay jana hota hey :D
Sahi kaha, Halankay January k start main achi sardi parjati thi kuch dino k liay. Is dafa to sardi aik dam short hai.
sahe baat hey.., lunch say pehlay office mey AC on tha., abhi sirf Pankha chal rha hey :P
Lagta hai Is Dafa Karachi main Garmian Tyt parainge.
ALLAH Paak Aafiyat rakhay., 2015 mey Ramzaan jesay baat na ho.,
Ameen, Han bhai woh to bohat he worst case tha. Is dafa Ramdhan aur garmion main aaingay.
BAQWAS
What should i do with jacket that i bought for winters :(
charity
Bhai menoo bhej de yar idhar bahut thand hai Kalar Kahar main :P
It’s going to be alright by 7th January, because a cold spell is expected grip Karachi for three days or so, along with chances of rain.
ALLAH PAAK aap ke zuban mubarak karain. Barish na bhi paray sardi par jaye bus. Mairi Leather Jacket kaam aajayegi :D
Yahan lahore main bahut thand hai washroom karne ka bhi dil nahi karta thand ke waja se.Aur nahanay ka tau sawal he na Karo mahinay main aik baar he kafi Rahe ga.
Pagle washroom karte nhn hain balke jate hain ?
Paa G, Lahori people washroom karte hain :P
Hahaha ?
Phir theek hai ?
Why Winter in Pakistan is Warmer This Year?
Answer: Because Pemra and So called Government ban Indian Entertainment so some people are angry on them this makes Pakistan even warmer but you see, old saying, where there is a will, there’s a way. I am still watching Indian shows, serials and movies.
Ap ki sui abhi tak Indian channels per atki hui hai
Can you live without water?
Without food? Without mobile phone?
AND
Can you live without Indian Entertainment?
I cannot live without water, food, and Mobile phone but I will definitely live without Indian Entertainment because I really don’t care about Indian Entertainment.
That was the example not the questions. I was try to prove that the role of Indian Entertainment in our (Indian Entertainment Lover) life.
Daal (Boring Pakistani shows, serials and movies) or Biryani (Full of Entertainment show, serials and movies)?
We (Indian Entertainment Lover) prefer Birynay.
Mai mar joue ga laken boring ghtya Humari Pakistani entertainment nahi Dakhu ga.
Tou mar jayen zafar bhai ? saanu ki ?
Ya!
Jab Allah kay paas jou ge tou
Then I will give order to Allah ? to open Indian Entertainment again in Pakistan because for those who are poor and cannot afford to watch Indian channels (in Indian DTH). ?
You will give order to Allah, Sharam aani chahiye tujhe kameene insaan baat karne ka tareeka tujhe pata nhn k kya baat karni hai kya nhn, kameene saamne hota na to 2, 2 rupey mein tera baby show kara deta bada aya give order to Allah, oqaat 2 takke ki bhi nhn aur baat kar raha hai
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5c862afa9b6ea56d51896aeb5e8439f8a91197539000ddad360936785f606d62.png
India agay ja raha hea our tum jasay log so called mazab mea hea gusay huya ho.
Tou India chala ja na tujhe kisi ne roka hai kya , Modi ko bhi to pata chale k uska Zafar naami pilla yahan hai
I think he’s an Indian.. Why argue with such people.?? It’s clear by his stance, disrespect for Allah that he’s certainly an Indian who’s an advocate for Indian Entertainment, which no one seems to be buying.
Agreed
Hey! hey! hey! I am Pakistani living in Pakistan. I also love Pakistan but our country people are narrow minded they ban Indian content. Thats only the thing I don’t like about my country. But thanks to so called Allah, Allah is providing me DishTv HD. But honestly , I feel really sad for those people who cannot afford dishtv.
If I was a bird then I should left Pakistan in 2005 when some rubb… Pemra blocked Indian content. Oh! Narrow minded people also ban the VCR in years back.
Our so called Pakistan muslim country is sick. I wish I was bird then fly away form sick country But thanks to so called Allah, I can afford to watch Indian content though dishtv.
At least Modi phir bhe Nawz Shriff say faithful hea. Modi apni kom kay saat faithful hea hindu ho kay our humaray so called gov muslim ho kar bhe wafa dar nahi.
So I was dead that’s why I didn’t reply to that. Mea Allah kay pass gaya, Allah ko order dia kay mujay dubara zinda kar. Allah nay pucha kayu?
Ma nay kaha kay mujay kuch narrow minded people ko reply karna hea!
Allah nay kaha thek hea. Mujay us waqt pata chala kay so called Allah tou ak he bar mea sun letea hea.
So I am here. Thanks to Almighty Allah.
By the way, Mea Allah ko kuch bhe kaho! Mind your own business!
Lagta hea Allah mujay bhul gaya hea so I am happy…
Amir bhai most of your article was alright but there is something you need to reconsider. Islamabad has dropped to 1°C at Zero Point and 3.5°C at chaklala rawalpindi in december 2016. Islamabad was nearly normal to slightly above normal in terms of minimum temperatures however maximum temperatures are well above normal. Secondly 2015 was also the hottest month and 2016 broke its record too. Not every single month broke its record but yes some months broke its all time high record.like february and october. rainfall was almost 25% below normal in rawalpindi and Islamabad. The worst thing is we will have to live with it now. Because it is going to get worst because of cutting of forest and artificial fire in the forests of margalla hills and murree express. Bahria enclave has destroyed the echo system millions of trees have been cut down by Bahria. Not only bahria we are all culprits. Pakistan have only 2% forest now or may be below 2% so how can you expect the winter to cool down. As I said earlier its gonna get more and more worst. We should do it by ourself. we must grow trees in our lawns and maximum we can do, we should do. Otherwise get ready for more severe droughts and heat.
Thanks!
Adil Shadman is the writer name !
Citywide temperatures are reported differently and official temperatures can be different from the temperatures reported by apps (Apps sometimes report a “Feels like” temperature).
You are right, however, we have to live here and Islamabad has been destroyed by all of these illiterate politicians who dont know what they are doing by turning everything to concrete and the forestation departments are dead they dont care what happens to the country.
10 years ago, sub-zero temps were normal in Islamabad. Now they are a rarity. Karachites didn’t even see a winter this time. They are still using fans in some areas.
I am talking about official temperatures reported by Pakistan Meteorological Department. But you are right sub zero temperatures have become rarity. I am talking about average minimum temperatures which are nearly normal in Islamabad so far. but there should be below normal temperatures which is called real coldwave. we barely see subzero temperatures one or two times in the winter season. because of climate change and global warming Winters are also shrinking and summers are expanding. Rawalpindi is effected by the severe urban heat island effect. So far Islamabad has less urban heat island effect as compare to rawalpindi. 2-3 degree is permanent difference now. because of less forest in pindi and same is happening to Islamabad as well now. Islamabad echo system has destroyed and its going to get more worst.
I am talking about the temperatures you mentioned for Zero Point and Chaklala.
Minimum temperatures are also above normal. As you said yourself, sub-zero has become a rarity and minimum temps of 6-9 degrees in December or January are definitely odd.
You are right about the urban heat. So many hard surfaces and so few trees. It multiplies the greenhouse effect tremendously.
Yes you are right 6-9 minimums in january are definitely odd. But we should do something that we can do at least. infact last night record temperatures recorded. pmd reported wrong temperatures though. but our climate has destroyed. I appreciate this kind of constructive writing. You have done a great job. Actually we should have awareness.
Thanks a lot.
Yes. I am amazed at the ignorance of our people. Stories like these aren’t even shared but those stories about movies etc get so much traction. A few years from now they very people will be crying over the disasters to come (God Forbid).
People like us should do at least something in our own capacity whether its telling others about this so they realize the causes of these man-made disasters and we should also do our best in planting more trees in our households and whatever land we own or find unoccupied.
ohh yes. we should realise. we are some friends who forecast about the upcoming weather situation and also time time we highlight these issues as well. you can like our page as well. hopefully we will create an atmosphere where people will realize the actual problem. Thanks
our page name is Rawalpindi/Islamabad weather.
You can like that page if you want to.
Sure. Thanks
Can you link it here?
so what happened in 1880 – global warming?
Preparation for first world war started.
They dont have records of before1880
Humare han to Sardi Start ho chuki hai Sukkur mn aur Aaj to Full Fogi mosam hai :-)
No agriculture caring no eco system no trees in pakistan.. That’s the big reason… Jahan drakht hongey waha naturaly clouds ate hain….. Pakistan me mafia ne sare drakht okhaar Dia hain peso k Lia.. Inhe future or is ke asarat ka koi andaza Nahi… Pakistan ne abhi bhe koi planning Nahi ki agriculture or eco system ke Lia… As compare to India india is much green… Just check the Google map and see the difference.. Un ka kashmir hise ka kashmir dekho or apne kashmir ko dekho… Clearly difference ha.. Pakistan drakht okharne me Bohat takra ha Lakin phir lagana Nahi Ata… Acha ha,baki kashmir india ke pas ha,warna hum pore kashmir ko ganja Kar dete.. Pore pakistan me drakht lagane chahia. Warna climate Hume maar dega..kpk pore dust or pollution me cover ho chukka ha… Astaghfirullah
Islamabad mei aik roz temperature 1 degree tk aya yeh Pakistan met office ki website k mtabiq bta rha hon. Ap ny apny article mei 5 degree sy neechy nhi any ka ghlti lkha hy
Na insaafi, corruption, jhooot, gheebat, sood khoori , zana, sharab, yeh sub humaray ammal hain jo humaray samnay a rahay hain. Musalmano abhi bhi waqt hai samajh jao.