O-Level Geography Chapter 2 Climate Types of Climate

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Weather: It refers to daily changes in atmospheric conditions (temperature , rainfall ,humidity and pressure ) for a short period of time locally

Climate: The generalization of day to day weather conditions of a particular area/region over a long period of time (33years).

Pakistan is divided into four climatic zones with respect to altitude

1. Highland climate

2. Lowland climate

3. Arid climate

4. Coastal climate

Features of Highland climate

• It includes Northern ,north western and western highlands of Pakistan (Kashmir ,gilgit, kpk and Baluchistan)
• Rainfall and temperature depends on altitude the higher the altitude lower the temperature and higher the rainfall
• Northern Mountains range from 2000 to 8000 m having cold winters mild summers and rainfall in all seasons
• Western mountains range from 1000 to 4000 m having cool to cold summer, mild to warm winters and rainfall in winters only
• Summers are short mild and wet in Northern mountains but dry in western mountains

Features of Lowland Climate

• It includes the whole upper and lower indus plain excluding coastal areas
• Mostly consist of arid and extreme climate with hot summers cool winters and summer monsoon rainfall
• Rainfall increases from south to north
• Also receives rainfall from western depression
• Comparatively most irrigated and fertile land of Pakistan lies under upper indus plain
• Continental effect drives the climate

Features of Coastal climate

• It includes southern coastal strip Indus delta Karachi and the whole of makran coast
• Sea breezes dominates the climate throughout the year and keeps it moderate
• Maritime effect dominates the climate
• Humidity level is mostly high reaching 50% in April to September
• Mean monthly temperature is 32 % May June are hottest months
• Rainfall is less and scanty mostly during monsoon season

Features of Arid Climate

• It includes south western desert of balochistan (Kharan)& South eastern desert of Sindh (Tharparkar)
• Dominated by dry and hot climate throughout the year
• Hot Dusty wind prevails from may to September
• Low amount Scanty rainfall during winters in balochistan
• Summer monsoon brings little rainfall in Sindh
• Extreme heat dryness and dust storms are common