Extreme weather in Pakistan includes everything from heavy rainfall and flooding to extremely low or extremely high temperatures. Pakistan has one of the highest temperature ranges in the world (temperature range refers to the difference between the highest and lowest recorded temperatures of a certain area). Temperatures can range from as high as those in the Sahara Desert, to as low as those in Alaska, making it one of the most climatically diverse countries in the world. The highest temperature that has ever been recorded in Pakistan is 53.8 C, which was recorded in Turbat, Balochistan, and Moenjo Daro, Sindh, on 28 May 2017 and 26 May 2010 respectively. It was not only the hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Pakistan, but it was also the hottest reliably measured temperature that has ever been recorded on the continent of Asia, and it was the fourth-highest temperature that has ever been recorded on Earth. On 23 July 2001, a rainfall of 620 millimetres (24 in) was recorded in Islamabad; the rain fell in just 10 hours.

Temperature

Temperature is measured, as standard, at 1.2 meters above ground, and out of direct sunlight (hence the term x degrees "in the shade").

High temperatures

In Pakistan, heat waves can occur at any time between April and September; the most powerful ones occur in May and June. Areas of southern Pakistan often experience temperatures above 50 C. The most deadly heat wave in Pakistan's history was the record-breaking heat wave of May 2010. Heat spreads throughout the north-central part of the country, including the Punjab and KPK.

List of cities with temperature of 50 °C or above

This list is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2022, along with other sources.

List of cities with temperature of 45 °C or above but below 50 °C

This list is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020, and other sources.

Record breaking heat wave of April 2017

A severe heat wave with temperatures as high as 50 C hit Pakistan, especially its southern areas, in April 2017. This heat wave broke the old temperature records of many cities in the country for the month of April. Larkana, Sindh, experienced the highest maximum temperature of 50 C on 19 April and broke its old record of 48.5 C, which was recorded in April 2000. Other cities of the country also broke their old records of highest maximum temperatures in the month of April.

Recorded temperatures

Extreme temperatures started to affect these parts of the country from mid-April and peaked on 19–20 April.

Record breaking 2010 summer heat wave

The hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Asia, and the fourth highest temperature that has ever been recorded in the world, was recorded in Mohenjo-daro, Sindh, at 53.5 C. The second hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Asia and the fifth highest temperature ever to be recorded in the world was in Larkana, Sindh at 53 C on May 26, 2010. Twelve cities in Pakistan saw temperatures that went above 50 C during the extreme summer heatwave of 2010, which lasted from May 22 to May 31 of that year. On May 27, temperatures higher than 45 C hit areas across Pakistan and at least 18 people died as a result. In addition, during the extreme heatwave season, eleven cities saw their highest-ever recorded temperatures of 50 C or above, and five cities saw temperatures of 53 C. Eleven cities also saw extreme temperatures of more than 45 C, although they were below 50 C. The previous highest temperature ever recorded for Pakistan and for Asia was on June 12, 1919, at 52.8 C; this occurred at Jacobabad.

Low temperatures

In northern and western Pakistan, cold waves can occur between October and March. The most powerful cold waves usually occur in December and January. During these cold waves, some areas of northern and western Pakistan often experience temperatures that are below 0 °C. Often, the place most affected by these cold waves is the glacial parts of Gilgit Baltistan, where, in winter, the average temperature remains below -20 °C. The K2 Peak has recorded a wind chill of -65 °C. The most deadly cold wave in the recent history of Pakistan was the record-breaking cold wave of winter 2020. Temperatures in the hottest places of Pakistan fell below 2 °C or more. Cities that are near the foothills of the Himalayas, including Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore, can record temperatures that are below freezing. It is not uncommon for Islamabad to receive snow in strong cold spells; the Khyber Hills, in Peshawar, Hayatabad can also receive light snowfall.

List of some important cities of Pakistan with temperature of 0 °C or below Official data (according to Pakistan Metrological Department)

Precipitation

The standard instrument for measuring rain or snowfall is the rain gauge.

Rainfall

Pakistan receives rainfall from both monsoons and western disturbances. The Monsoon season occurs from July to September and brings a heavy downpour across the country, except in western Balochistan. Western disturbances occur from October to May and bring rainfall across the country, with some heavy downpour in northern Pakistan. In June, however, western disturbances occasionally hit the northern parts of the country. Occasionally, pre-monsoon weather can also occur in this month.

Heaviest rainfall in a single season

Record-breaking rainfall in Pakistan that occurred over a single season. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2022 and other sources.

Heaviest rainfall of 400 mm or above during a 24 hour period

Record-breaking rainfall that occurred in Pakistan, which reached over 400 mm or above during a 24-hour period. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2016, along with other sources.

Rainfall between 200 mm and 400 mm during a 24 hour period

Record-breaking rainfall that occurred in Pakistan, recorded to be between 200 mm and 400 mm, during a 24-hour period. This is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020, along with other sources.

Record-breaking heavy rainfall of August 2022 in Sindh

In early July, 2022, when the monsoon began, week long periods of rainfall were already affecting Sindh. A low pressure area had developed over the Bay of Bengal, which became a depression, before it hit northern Sindh on 18 August. The depression became stationary over the northern areas of the province, and caused unprecedented, record-breaking rainfall in places such as Larkana, Naushahro Feroze, Kambar Shahdadkot, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Dadu, Nawabshah, Shikarpur until 22 August. Another low pressure area hit the same part of the province on 25 August, and caused levels of rainfall that stretched from heavy to very heavy.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the month of August 2022 in Sindh

Heavy rainfall of more than 200 mm that was recorded during the month of August 2022, in the province of Sindh, but particularly in northern Sindh. This information is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Record-breaking heavy Rainfall of September 2014

In the first week of September, 2014, an August-like monsoonal period hit the country. This occurred when a very low air pressure system (29") was formed over Kashmir; this then moved eastward into Northern Pakistan. The spell caused torrential rainfall on the first five days of September. This resulted in devastation to life and property. As the last two days of the spell were extremely wet, the River Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej and Indus burst their banks.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spell of September 2014

Rainfall exceeding 200 mm that was recorded during the wet spell of September 1 to 5, 2014, in northern Pakistan. This information is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Record-breaking heavy rainfall of September 2012 in Sindh

After severe drought conditions, which occurred in Sindh during the months of July and August, 2012, an intense low-pressure area developed in the Bay of Bengal. This occurred in late August. The low-pressure area moved towards Sindh, causing torrential rains in Upper Sindh. The highest rainfall to be recorded was in Jacobabad, with a record 481 mm in just 7 days, and 441 mm in just 36 hours. In Larkana, 239 millimetres (9.4 in) of rainfall was recorded; 206 millimetres (8.1 in) of rainfall was recorded in Sukkur. Larkana was the worst affected by heavy rainfall.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spell of September 2012 in Sindh

Heavy rainfall of more than 200 mm that was recorded during the wet spell of September 5 to 11, 2012, in the province of Sindh, but particularly in Upper Sindh. This information is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Record-breaking torrential rainfall of August and September 2011 in Sindh

In the month of July, Pakistan received unusually low monsoon rainfall; however, in August and September, the country received unusually high monsoon rainfall. A strong weather pattern entered Sindh from the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, in August. It gained strength over time and caused a heavy downpour. The first monsoon spell hit the southern parts of Sindh on 10 August. It produced record breaking, widespread, torrential rainfall, and caused floodig in the district of Badin. The second spell hit on 30 August and lasted until 2 September. In the month of September, four more consecutive spells of monsoon rainfall devastated the southern parts of the province. The first spell of September hit the already inundated parts of the province, on 2 September. Thereafter, the second spell hit on 5 September, the third on 9 September, and the fourth on 12 September 2011. The four spells of monsoon rainfall produced even more devastating torrential rains in the already affected areas of Sindh.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spells of August and September 2011 in Sindh

Rainfall of exceeding 200 mm that was recorded in the heaviest monsoon spell, in different areas of Sindh province, during the months of August and September, 2011. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Record-breaking heavy rainfall of July 2010

Unprecedented heavy monsoon rains began, in the last week of July 2010, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions of Pakistan, which caused floods in Balochistan and Sindh. The floods that were caused by these monsoon rains, and were forecast to continue into early August, were described as the worst in the last 80 years. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said that over 200 mm of rain fell over a 24-hour period, in a number of places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, and that more was expected. A record-breaking 274 mm of rain fell in Peshawar in 24 hours; previously 187 mm of rain was recorded in April 2009. Other record-breaking rains were recorded in Risalpur, Cherat, Saidu Sharif, Mianwali, and Kohat regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spell of July 2010

Heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm that was recorded during the four-day wet spell of July 27 to 30, 2010, in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Snowfall

Pakistan receives snowfall from western disturbances. Between the months of November and February, western disturbances bring snowfall to the more mountainous or hilly areas of Pakistan; the heaviest snowfall occurs in those areas that are farther north, where blizzards are common. In February 2017, at least 14 people were killed and 9 were injured by an avalanche in the Sher Shall area of Chitral district.

Heaviest snowfall of 40" or above during 24 hours

Record-breaking snowfall in Pakistan that exceeded 40 in, during a 24-hour period. This is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020, along with other sources.

Heaviest snowfall of 20" or above but below 40" during 24 hours

Record-breaking snowfall in Pakistan that exceeded 20 in but did not exceed 40 in, during a 24-hour period. This information is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020, along with other sources.

Wind

Floods

Pakistan has seen many floods. The worst, and most destructive, flooding was the recent 2010 Pakistan floods, which swept away 20% of Pakistan's land. The flood was the result of unprecedented monsoon rains, which lasted from 28 July to 31 July 2010. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and North eastern Punjab were badly affected during the monsoon rains, when dams, rivers and lakes overflowed. By mid-August, according to the governmental Federal Flood Commission (FFC), due to the flooding, at least 1,540 people had died; 2,088 people had received injuries; 557,226 houses had been destroyed; and over 6 million people had been displaced. One month later, the data had been updated to reveal 1,781 deaths, 2,966 people with injuries, and more than 1.89 million homes destroyed. The flood affected more than 20 million people, and exceeded the combined total of the individuals who were affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. This flood is considered the worst in Pakistan's history, as it affeced people of all four provinces, including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. The climate in Pakistan is very unpredictable and extreme, due to its geographical location, and the geography of the country itself, which includes both tropical plains and the world's highest peaks. Monsoon season can be harsh, due to Pakistan's close proximity with the monsoon areas of India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Myanmar. Floods in the mountainous regions of the country, which cover about 70% of Pakistani land, can experience very dangerous landfalls and avalanches, and the glaciers in the most distant and remote parts of the countries can bring danger to nearby villages. The 2011 Sindh floods began during the monsoon season in mid-August 2011, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in Sindh, eastern Balochistan, and southern Punjab. These floods have caused considerable damage: an estimated 270 civilians were killed, and 5.3 million people – as well as 1.2 million homes – were affected. Sindh is a fertile region, and is often called the "breadbasket" of the country; the damage and toll of the floods on the local agrarian economy is said to be extensive. At least 1.7 million acres of arable land has been inundated as a result of the flooding. The flooding has been described as the worst since the 2010 Pakistan floods, which devastated the entire country. Unprecedented torrential monsoon rains caused severe flooding in 16 districts of Sindh province. Other floods that have caused destruction in Pakistan include the flood of 1950, which killed 2,910 people; the flood of 1977, which killed 248 people, in Karachi (according to Pakistan Meteorological Department, 207 mm of rain fell within 24 hours); the flood of 1992, which killed 1,834 people;the flood of 1993, which killed 3,083 people across South Asia, of which fifteen were in Pakistan; the flood of 2003, which killed 178 people; and the flood of 2007, when Cyclone Yemyin submerged lower part of Balochistan Province in sea water, killing 380 people (before that, Cyclone Yemyin killed 213 people in Karachi).