Pakistan is a South Asian country bordered by India to the east, Afghanistan and Iran to the west, China to the north, and the Arabian Sea to the south. It occupies a diverse range of landscapes, including mountain ranges, fertile plains, plateaus, deserts, and coastal areas. The geography of Pakistan plays a crucial role in its weather patterns, as the country experiences significant climate variation due to its topography and latitudinal span.
The country can be roughly divided into four major regions:
- Northern Pakistan: Includes the towering Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges, with peaks like K2 and Nanga Parbat. This region experiences alpine climate and heavy snow in winter.
- Western and Southern Pakistan: Contains the Balochistan Plateau and the Thar Desert. These areas experience arid and desert climates with extreme temperatures in summer.
- Eastern Pakistan: Comprising the fertile Indus River Valley and Punjab, this region is the agricultural heart of Pakistan with a subtropical climate.
- Coastal Pakistan: Includes the southern province of Sindh, with a warm climate moderated by the Arabian Sea, though hot and dry inland.
Pakistan’s climate varies greatly across its regions, with four seasons:
- Winter (December to February): Cool and dry, with snowfall in northern areas.
- Spring (March to May): Warm, with pleasant weather and the blooming of flowers.
- Summer (June to August): Hot and dry in most regions, with monsoons affecting the east.
- Autumn (September to November): Mild, with fading monsoon activity and cooler temperatures.
January
Weather Overview
January is one of the coldest months in Pakistan, with significant regional variation. Northern areas experience freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, while southern areas remain mild and dry.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: -10°C to 5°C (14°F to 41°F)
- Weather: Heavy snow in high-altitude areas, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat, and Azad Kashmir. Travel to these regions can be difficult due to snow-blocked roads.
Western Pakistan (Balochistan Plateau)
- Temperature: 0°C to 15°C (32°F to 59°F)
- Weather: Cold, dry winds dominate, especially in Quetta and surrounding areas, with nighttime frost and occasional snowfall.
Eastern Pakistan (Punjab and Indus Valley)
- Temperature: 5°C to 20°C (41°F to 68°F)
- Weather: Cool and dry, with fog common in cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan.
Coastal Pakistan (Sindh)
- Temperature: 12°C to 25°C (54°F to 77°F)
- Weather: Mild, with pleasant temperatures in Karachi and coastal regions, though cooler in the desert areas inland.
February
Weather Overview
February brings the end of winter, with temperatures rising slightly. Snowfall continues in the northern areas, while the plains of Punjab and Sindh begin to warm up.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: -5°C to 8°C (23°F to 46°F)
- Weather: Snow continues in Hunza, Skardu, and Naran, but days become slightly warmer. These regions remain ideal for winter sports and snow tourism.
Western Pakistan (Balochistan)
- Temperature: 5°C to 18°C (41°F to 64°F)
- Weather: Dry and cold in the mornings and evenings, with more pleasant daytime temperatures.
Eastern Pakistan (Punjab)
- Temperature: 10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F)
- Weather: Cool with the gradual clearing of fog. Cities like Islamabad and Lahore see clearer skies and occasional rain.
Southern Pakistan (Sindh)
- Temperature: 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
- Weather: Warm and dry. Karachi and Hyderabad enjoy ideal weather for outdoor activities.
March
Weather Overview
March marks the arrival of spring in most parts of Pakistan. Temperatures increase, flowers bloom, and there’s more sunshine. The northern areas still see some snow, but it’s lighter compared to January and February.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 0°C to 12°C (32°F to 54°F)
- Weather: Snow begins to melt, with warmer days, but some areas are still snow-covered. Tourism picks up as travelers come to see the beautiful landscapes.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 10°C to 24°C (50°F to 75°F)
- Weather: Warmer and dry. Quetta and Zhob see pleasant weather, but the winds are still chilly at night.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)
- Weather: Pleasant, with blooming flowers in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Farmers prepare for the wheat harvest in rural Punjab.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 18°C to 32°C (64°F to 90°F)
- Weather: Warm, especially in inland areas. Coastal cities like Karachi experience moderate temperatures with occasional light breezes from the sea.
April
Weather Overview
April is the true beginning of spring in Pakistan, with rapidly increasing temperatures. The northern regions are free of snow, and tourism season kicks off in the mountains.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 5°C to 18°C (41°F to 64°F)
- Weather: Snow has mostly melted in the lower valleys. Warm days encourage trekking and sightseeing.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
- Weather: Dry and warm, with temperatures rising in Balochistan. Desert regions like Dalbandin and Turbat start to heat up.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F)
- Weather: Warm and sunny, with dry conditions in Punjab. Fields are green, and harvest season begins for winter crops.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Weather: Hot, with increasing temperatures inland. Coastal areas like Karachi remain cooler, thanks to sea breezes.
May
Weather Overview
May signals the arrival of early summer, with hot temperatures in most parts of the country. The northern regions become more accessible for tourists, while the plains of Punjab and Sindh experience sweltering heat.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F)
- Weather: Warm and dry, with pleasant temperatures for hiking in Hunza, Swat, and Naran. Glacial melt increases, filling rivers.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F)
- Weather: Hot and dry, particularly in Balochistan. Temperatures in places like Quetta rise, but cool evenings remain.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 25°C to 40°C (77°F to 104°F)
- Weather: Very hot and dry, especially in Lahore and Multan. Dust storms become common in Punjab.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 30°C to 42°C (86°F to 108°F)
- Weather: Extremely hot in Sindh and southern Punjab, with Karachi slightly cooler due to the sea breeze. Inland areas like Jacobabad and Sukkur experience intense heat.
June
Weather Overview
June marks the peak of summer, with scorching temperatures across much of Pakistan. Monsoon rains approach the eastern parts of the country toward the end of the month.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
- Weather: Warm and pleasant in the mountains, though southern-facing valleys can get hot. Tourists flock to cool, green hill stations like Murree and Nathia Gali.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 25°C to 40°C (77°F to 104°F)
- Weather: Hot and arid, with dry winds sweeping across Balochistan. Turbat and Dalbandin experience some of the highest temperatures in Pakistan.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 30°C to 45°C (86°F to 113°F)
- Weather: Extremely hot, especially in Punjab. Pre-monsoon showers can bring relief in Lahore and Islamabad. Dust storms and heat waves are common.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 32°C to 45°C (90°F to 113°F)
- Weather: Intense heat in Sindh, with Karachi remaining slightly cooler. Inland regions like Sukkur and Hyderabad experience soaring temperatures.
July
Weather Overview
July is the peak of the monsoon season in eastern and central Pakistan, while the northern areas remain cool and dry. The plains experience heavy rainfall and occasional flooding.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)
- Weather: Pleasantly warm with occasional rain in hill stations like Swat, Hunza, and Skardu. Snowmelt continues, keeping rivers at high levels.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 25°C to 42°C (77°F to 108°F)
- Weather: Hot and dry, with some pre-monsoon activity in Balochistan, though rainfall is rare. Quetta remains dry and hot.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 28°C to 38°C (82°F to 100°F)
- Rainfall: 150-300 mm, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Weather: Monsoon rains bring relief but also flooding. Lahore, Islamabad, and Multan see heavy downpours and thunderstorms.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 30°C to 40°C (86°F to 104°F)
- Weather: Intense heat with rising humidity due to the monsoon. Karachi experiences moderate rainfall, but interior Sindh remains mostly dry and extremely hot.
August
Weather Overview
August is the wettest month in Pakistan, with monsoon rains in full swing across the eastern and northern parts of the country. Flash floods are common in hilly regions.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
- Weather: Rainy with landslides in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Tourism slows due to the risk of road blockages.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 24°C to 40°C (75°F to 104°F)
- Weather: Hot and mostly dry, though Balochistan may receive occasional rain from monsoon clouds.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 26°C to 35°C (79°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 200-400 mm in Punjab, Lahore sees the most rain.
- Weather: Heavy rain continues, with flooding in Punjab and Sindh. Thunderstorms are frequent.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 29°C to 38°C (84°F to 100°F)
- Weather: Karachi experiences frequent rain, though interior Sindh is still hot and dry with little monsoon impact.
September
Weather Overview
September brings the end of the monsoon season, with rainfall decreasing toward the end of the month. Temperatures remain high, but humidity drops.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 12°C to 25°C (54°F to 77°F)
- Weather: Rain tapers off, and the weather becomes more stable. It’s a great time to visit Hunza, Skardu, and Swat for clear skies and cooler temperatures.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 22°C to 38°C (72°F to 100°F)
- Weather: Dry and hot, with a gradual drop in temperatures. Quetta and Chagai experience pleasant evenings.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Weather: Rainfall decreases, but humidity remains high. Islamabad and Lahore see relief from the monsoons with clearer skies by mid-month.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 28°C to 38°C (82°F to 100°F)
- Weather: Hot but dry in Sindh, with Karachi seeing the last of the monsoon rains by early September. Coastal areas remain warm and humid.
October
Weather Overview
October marks the onset of autumn, with much more comfortable temperatures across the country. Rainfall is minimal, and days are clear and sunny.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 8°C to 22°C (46°F to 72°F)
- Weather: Cool and pleasant, with perfect weather for trekking and exploring. Autumn colors appear in the valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F)
- Weather: Dry and warm, with increasingly cooler nights in Quetta and Ziarat.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F)
- Weather: Pleasant, with low humidity and cooler nights in Punjab. Lahore and Islamabad see clear skies and sunny days.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Weather: Hot but dry, with comfortable temperatures along the coast in Karachi.
November
Weather Overview
November is the onset of winter, especially in northern Pakistan, with cooler temperatures spreading across the country.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: 3°C to 18°C (37°F to 64°F)
- Weather: Cold, particularly at night. Hunza, Skardu, and Swat experience early snowfall in higher altitudes.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)
- Weather: Pleasant and dry, with chilly nights in Quetta. Ziarat becomes a popular retreat for cooler weather.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
- Weather: Cooler and pleasant, with clear skies in Islamabad and Lahore. Farmers begin to plant winter crops.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F)
- Weather: Warm but dry in Karachi and Hyderabad. Desert areas remain warm during the day but cool at night.
December
Weather Overview
December is full winter in Pakistan, with cold conditions across the country. Snowfall increases in the northern regions, and the plains experience cold mornings and nights.
Northern Pakistan
- Temperature: -5°C to 10°C (23°F to 50°F)
- Weather: Cold with heavy snowfall in Naran, Kaghan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Ski resorts in Malam Jabba and Naltar become popular.
Western Pakistan
- Temperature: 5°C to 20°C (41°F to 68°F)
- Weather: Cold and dry, with occasional frost in Quetta. Desert regions like Kharan experience cold nights.
Eastern Pakistan
- Temperature: 7°C to 22°C (45°F to 72°F)
- Weather: Cool with occasional fog in Punjab. Islamabad and Lahore experience chilly mornings and pleasant days.
Southern Pakistan
- Temperature: 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)
- Weather: Mild and pleasant, particularly in Karachi and coastal areas. Sindh remains warm during the day but cools down at night.