CLIMATE

Q) Differentiate between weather and climate?

Ans) Weather refers to the atmospheric condition of any place for a short period of time, it is
often localized. Climate is the generalization of the day to day weather conditions over a long
period of time usually thirty years.

Climate zones
Climate divisions of Pakistan are;

 Highland climate
 Lowland climate
 Coastal climate
 Arid climate

Highland Climate

This region includes northern, north-western and western highlands. The winters are long, cold
and snowy and the summers remain short and mild. Precipitation is in the form of snow, hail and
rainfall. The main source of rainfall in this zone is western depression. Rainfall in northern areas
is the highest in highland zone.

Lowland Climate

This region includes whole of the Indus plain except coastal areas and deserts. It has arid and
extreme climate with hot summers and cool winters. Main source of rainfall here is summer
monsoon. Precipitation is in the form of rainfall. Thunderstorms are common in north and north-
west of the Indus Plain. Here population density is high.

Coastal Climate

This region includes Indus delta, Karachi and the whole of Makran coast. The climate is
dominated by sea breezes throughout the year. Here summers are long and winters are short.
The temperature is moderate. The difference between maximum and minimum temperature is
less. Main sources of rainfall are summer monsoon and western depression. Precipitation is in
the form of rainfall. The standard of living and population density in these regions are high.

Arid Climate

This region includes south-western Balochistan and the south eastern deserts. It is markedly hot
and dry. From May to mid- September hot and dusty winds continuously blow. In this region
there is scanty rainfall. Summer monsoon brings little rain. Extreme heat, dryness and dust
storms are the main features of arid climate.
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Seasons In Pakistan
Pakistan has dour seasons

1 .Winter (December to march)

2. Early summer (April to June)

3. Monsoon season (July to September)

4. Post monsoon (October to December)

Climatic Elements
There are four main climate elements

1. Temperature

2. Atmospheric pressure

3. Precipitation

4. Winds

Q) What are the elements of weather and climate?

Ans) Temperature is how hot or cold the atmosphere is. Temperature is a very important factor
determining the weather, because it influences other of weather such as precipitation, humidity,
clouds and atmospheric pressure. Humidity is the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere.
Precipitation is the term given to moisture that falls from air to ground. Precipitation happens in
the form of snow, hail, drizzle, fog mist and rain. Atmospheric pressure is the weight of air
resting on the earth’s surface. Wind is the movement of air masses from high pressure areas to
low pressure areas.
 CLIMATE

Q) Describe the factors that affect temperature?

Ans) The Factors that affect the temperature are:

1- Latitudinal effects

Latitude is the main factor affecting global climate. The Further you go from the equator, the
cooler it gets. This is because the earth is curved which means that the sun’s energy is more
concentrated at the equator. Thinner atmosphere at the equator means that the earth gets
hotter here.

2- Continental effects

It is a general term covering the climate of those areas unaffected by maritime influence.
Maritime influence means the influence of the sea on temperature. Ocean currents and
prevailing winds usually have a moderating effect on temperature. This is why extreme
temperatures are recorded in interior land masses away from the moderating influence of sea.

3- Altitude

The air is densest at the sea level because that is where it absorbs most water vapor, dust
particles and solar radiation. Air is least dense at high altitudes because less solar radiation is
absorbed at that level. With less air to absorb heat at higher altitude, there is an average drop of
6.5° C in temperature for each 1000 meter increase in altitude.

4- Cloud cover

In day time cloud cover reduces the amount of incoming solar radiation by reflecting it back into
outer space, resulting in a drop in day temperatures. At night cloud cover traps the outgoing heat ,
so temperature does not drop as low as a clear night.

5- Latitude and the angle of the sun

The term angle of the sun means the position of the Earth in relation to sun. Sun’s rays do not fall at
the same angle everywhere on Earth. Latitudinal position determines the amount of heat received by
earth. During summer northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and therefore the land absorbs
more heat because of high angle of sun and it faces sun for longer duration. During Winter, the
northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun so it absorbs less heat and faces shorter duration of
sun.
 CLIMATE

Sources of Rainfall in Pakistan

 Monsoon winds
 Western depression
 Convectional rainfall
 Relief rainfall
 Tropical cyclones

Monsoon Winds

These winds are seasonal which blow during summer and winter. The summer winds are called
South-west monsoons and the winter winds are called North-east monsoon.

Q) How monsoon winds are formed?

During summer low air pressure is developed over Pakistan. While high air pressure prevails
over sea (Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea) so moist (humid/wet) wind from Indian
Ocean and Arabian Sea blow towards land to fulfill the low air pressure. Wind from Indian
Ocean reaches Pakistan after crossing India called primary monsoon. Monsoon winds from
Arabian Sea are called secondary Monsoon which causes less rain. These winds cause rain
from July to September. The amount of rain decreases from northern area to Southern areas.

Q) What is meant by term ‘monsoon’? (1)

These are seasonal winds which blow during winter and summer. It is a short period of heavy
rain (July to Sep)

Western Depression

Western depressions are cyclones which originate in the Mediterranean Sea, it travels across
Afghanistan and Iran then reach western areas of Pakistan. After striking north-western areas of
Pakistan such as Peshawar and northern Pakistan, the winds then move towards western and
south-western parts. By the time they reach south western Balochistan they are robbed of their
moisture. These winds cause rainfall in these areas from December to March.

Q) How are these winds formed?

Ans) Western depression are cyclones which originate in the Mediterranean Sea, it travels
across Afghanistan and Iran then reach western areas of Pakistan. After striking north-western
areas of Pakistan such as Peshawar and northern Pakistan, the winds then move towards
western and south-western parts. By the time they reach south western Balochistan they are
robbed of their moisture.

Q) Which areas experience western depression?

 CLIMATE

(c) Explain the benefits and problems of high rainfall on either farming or road travel. (6)

FARMING

Benefits (res. 2):

increased water supply/less need for irrigation

alluvium from floods

reduces salinity

better plant growth

higher yield/income

benefit to animals

Problems (res. 2):

flooding

waterlogging

water is not absorbed

soil erosion/gullying

leaching

risk of pests/disease

damage at harvest, e.g. cotton, wheat

intensity can damage plant

loss of income (do not credit twice)

ROAD TRAVEL

Benefits (res. 2):

lays the dust

water to cool engine

Problems (res. 2):

 CLIMATE

flooding blocks roads/restricts access

washes away surface

destroys bridges

danger of lightning

danger to driving, e.g. slippery

Question bank

Q) What is temperature inversion?

ADDITIONAL INFO

. In mountainous areas rainfall is normally associated with altitude