Koppen Climate Classification in Pakistan

INTRODUCTION
Pakistan is the country in the world to have a unique range of altitudes from sea level to the second highest
mountain peak of the world. This distinct characteristic gives it large variation in climate across its different
areas, like huge temperature difference and large spatial rainfall distribution. These largely contrasting
variations in temperature and precipitation can best be depicted by making some well-defined classifications
of climate parameters and their spatial distribution across Pakistan. Summer temperature in the south rise
over 50°C and winter temperature in the north fall as low as -20°C to -22°C (Pakistan Climatic Normals,
1961- 90). Similarly, the precipitation variability is also distinctively large across north and south Pakistan,
ranging 1500-2000 mm and 100-200 mm, respectively.

Review

Pakistan, stretching from 24 °N to 36 °N and 61 °E to 76.5 °E, possesses a much diversified climate with
experiencing a hot and dry climate in the south, temperate in northwest and arctic in the north. Summer
temperature in the south rise over 50°C and winter temperature in the north fall as low as -20°C to -22°C
(Pakistan Climatic Normals, 1961- 90). Similarly, the precipitation variability is also distinctively large
across north and south Pakistan, ranging 1500-2000 mm and 100-200 mm, respectively, (Pakistan Climatic
Normals, 1981-2010). The eastern belt of the country receives more summer (monsoon), rains whereas
western belt is more influenced by the winter rains from western disturbances (Khan, 1993). Such a large
gradient, therefore necessitates defining its climate into some sub-regions or classes.

The world climate has been classified into different classes by many climatologists and geographers like
Supan (1896), Köppen (1936), Thornthwaite (1948), Blair (1942), Gieger (1953), Miller (1969) and Griffith
(1978).

1. According to Griffiths (1978) the climatic classification is simply a method of arranging various
climatic parameters either singly or grouped into ranks to simplify the mass of data and to identify
analogies.
2. Köppen had divided the world climate on the basis of temperatures. He describes that it is the
vegetation type that actually provides identification about climate prevailing in the regions taking
into account the temperature and precipitation (Köppen, 1936).
 3. Thornthwaite, (1948) classifies the climate on the basis of two main indices, the moisture content
and annual potential evapotranspiration. Based on these two climate indices he gave a famous map
(Thornthwaite map) which clearly divides the wetter and drier regions.
4. Trewartha, (1968) said that climate classification is a process basic to all sciences, recognizing
individuals with some unique characteristics in common and grouping them into a few classes or
types. He considers Thornthwaite classification as a more refined method, especially for agriculture
applications because of containing an account of evapotranspiration than that of Köppen, which
proves more helpful.

The climate type or class in accordance with the Köppen climate classification system (Table 1) at each data
station was determined by calculating the mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation
(MAP) from the mean monthly data values. The two seasons, summer and winter, rainfall were realized by
aggregating the monthly rainfall of April through September (AMJJAS) and of October through March
(ONDJFM) respectively. Then for determining the precipitation threshold (Pthresh), another parameter of
Köppen classification criteria, percentage contribution to the annual total of the summer and winter
precipitation was realized, (Peel et al., 2007 and Kottek et al., 2006).

In Köppen-Geiger climate scheme (1936) the climate classification type A represents the Tropical climate.
Class type B represents the arid with further sub-division into the desert and steppe types. The type C
represents the temperate climate type with further subdivision into the temperate with dry winter (or dry
summer). The type D represents the cold climate with further sub-division into cold with dry winter (or dry
summer) and E represents the Polar climate with further sub-division into Tundra and Frost climates.
Further, the second letter represents the precipitation and the third is meant for temperature, e.g. the climate
classification BWhw means the Desert hot with dry winter climate, Csa stands for the Temperate with dry.

ANNUAL AND SEASONALNORMAL TEMPERATURE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION

The geographic distribution of Pakistan's average annual temperature. It is clear from the data that while the
average annual temperature in southern Pakistan (Sindh province and south Balochistan) is between 24 and
30 degrees Celsius, it drops off as we travel further north and is between 11 and 18 degrees Celsius in north
Balochistan and the country's extremely northern and northeastern regions. Clearly, there is a significant
temperature gradient between the north and south of Pakistan, with the south seeing yearly temperatures that
are over 26 °C higher. The extreme temperature differences in populous areas of Pakistan are 74.5 °C (ever
maximum of 53.5 °C recorded at Mohenjodaro, Sindh and ever minimum of -21 °C recorded at Skardu),
according to historical climate records. (Source: CDPC, PMD, and Pakistan's Climatic Normals, 1961–1990
and 1981–2010.) Evidently, the northern regions encounter temperatures between –1°C and –5°C. The
temperature then gradually rises as we move lower in latitude reaching a maximum of 18 to 24 °C in
southern Sindh and along the southwest coast of Balochistan. Hence, the whole range of winter temperatures
in Pakistan is from below zero to 24 °C, which is also a sizable range similar to that of yearly temperatures.
We slightly diverge from the typical pattern of winter rainfall when determining the winter temperature
season. The month of March is not as cold as December, January, and February, but for the winter rainfall
season March is taken into consideration for being wet enough. As a result, while defining the winter
temperature season, we slightly stray from the standard of the winter rainfall season composition. The usual
temperature distribution for the spring season (March–April, Massachusetts) is depicted. Once more, the
extreme south and southwest of Balochistan, entire Sindh, and southeast Punjab see the highest temperatures
(24–30°C, orange-hued). The northeast of the country (Gilgit-Baltistan, GB) experiences a low temperature
range of 5–11 °C (dark green hue).

The country's average temperature varies by roughly 25 °C overall from north to south throughout the
spring. The highest temperature range of 30-37 °C persists over Sindh, the majority of Balochistan, and
Punjab (except the northeast part), while 24-30 °C prevails over north-northeast Balochistan (aside from the
hilly station Kalat, whose range matches that of the northern area, orange colour), and northeast Punjab.
Moving northeastwards of the country, including some isolated areas in north Balochistan where the least
range of 18–24 °C is apparent, a progressive drop is then noticed.

As a result, we can say that the summer/pre-monsoon (May–June, MJ) season is the hottest of the five, with
an average difference of more than 25 °C between the north and south of the nation. With the Koppen
classification system, regionalize Pakistan's climate. Across Sindh (with the exception of a few isolated
locations in the far south and southwest), east, southeast, and northwest Balochistan, south and central
Punjab, and south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the high temperature range of 30-37 °C (red-colored) is once again
visible (KP).

The lowest temperature range of 18-24 °C in monsoon season is seen persisting over north, northeast of the
country and isolated place in north Balochistan. Comparing the JAS season with MJ we notice that MJ
temperature maxima cover more area of Balochistan and KP. The lowest and highest temperature ranges
differ by about 17 °C which of course is lower than that seen in other seasons’ temperatures. The
temperature spatial distribution of autumn/post-monsoon (ON) season with maximum range of about 24-30
°C persisting over south Pakistan (Sindh) and the coast of Balochistan. The next lower temperature range of
18-24 °C is observed over entire Punjab, KP and Balochistan except a few places in its north where a lesser
range of 11-18 °C is seen.

Once again, the northeastern regions of the nation and a remote area over northern Balochistan experience
temperatures in the lowest range of 5–11 °C. Here, the gap between the lowest and maximum temperature
ranges is 19 °C, which is obviously the second-lowest temperature range in comparison to other seasons.
The autumn (ON) season so seems to rank third in warming, behind MJ and JAS, and first in cooling, ahead
of MA and DJF. Pakistan's yearly average temperature ranges from 11 to 30 degrees Celsius from north to
south, with southern regions having the highest range of 24 to 30 degrees and northern regions experiencing
11 to 18 degrees. This is a clearly visible temperature gradient, and that is why the southern Pakistan is
termed to have an arid to semi-arid climate, while in the north the climate is termed as temperate.

According to the data, Pakistan's northern regions and north Balochistan have extremely cold and frosty
weather (temperatures between -1°C and 5°C), whereas the south and southwest coasts have a mildly cool
winter (11–18°C). The springtime temperature distribution ranges are 5 to 11 °C in the northern regions and
24 to 30 °C in the southern regions, with a difference of over 21 °C altogether between the two. The summer
(May-June, MJ) season was the hottest on record, with temperatures reaching as high as 30-37 °C in the
south and southeast of the nation (Fig. 5) and as low as 11-20 °C once more in the northern region, with an
overall difference of almost 25 °C between Pakistan's north and south.

The JAS though, is a summer (monsoon) season, but proves a less hot (by 3 °C) than the dry summer (MJ)
primarily due to being wettest of all four seasons. Its maximum range is 30-37°C and lowest one being 11-
18 °C. The autumn season (ON) temperatures are found to drop to 5-11 °C in the north and 24-30°C in south
and southwest. Thus the 30-year normal temperature analysis reveals that throughout a year northern areas
of Pakistan experience as low as below 0 °C winter temperature and on the other hand southern areas batter
the hot conditions in excess of 37 °C during summer. 

The variation in temperature is due to the influence of various factors, including the latitudinal extent of
Pakistan, high mountain terrain in the north and northwest, vegetation cover, solar angle and insolation,
continentality and an elevation difference of as low as zero meter at mean sea level in the south to over 2300
m in the north. These highly contrasting temperatures then dictate the climatic conditions of the different
subregions of Pakistan. The southern desert regions of Pakistan receive intense solar heating in April - June
and September - October with maximum global radiation (direct or diffuse sky) per day is 700-800 cal/cm2
in May and a minimum of 400 cal/cm2 in January with annual average of 560 cal/cm2 (Sikka, 1997). 

Extreme thermal contrast is caused by Pakistan's typical geographic characteristics. In order for the heat low,
a seasonal low pressure region that forms over south Pakistan from May to September and plays a key role
in bringing moist currents from the North Indian Ocean during monsoon season, to form, the hot summer
(MJ) temperature is essential (Arif et al, 2013 and Sarfaraz, 2007). As a result, the southern region of
Pakistan experiences an arid to semi-arid climate, which is caused by a lack of rain combined with high
temperatures and high evapotranspiration.

THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTIONOF ANNUAL AND SEASONALNORMAL

RAINFALL

The sub-northern region of Pakistan experiences the most rainfall each year, averaging 1485–1775 mm
(ginger pink shade). In Balochistan, Sindh, and south Punjab, it falls off as it moves southward and reaches
its lowest range of roughly 37 to 327 mm (medium yellow colour). So, it is clear that the intra-region rainfall
variability (1738 mm) in the spatial distribution of the annual normal rainfall denotes the distinct climatic
gradient across Pakistan. The distribution of rainfall during the summer monsoon (JAS) in Pakistan's several
sub-regions is shown in Fig. 9. Again, it is noted that the subnorthern regions of Pakistan, specifically the
ginger pink coloured blotches (642-771 mm) encircling Islamabad, Sialkot, Kakul, Balakot, and the suburbs,
receive the majority of rainfall.

The remainder of the northeastern region, including the stations Jhelum, Kotli, Garhi Dupatta, and Kamra, is
covered by the next higher range of 514-642 mm. From Lahore to the northwest, the third higher range of
386-514 mm covers the region. From there, rainfall decreases towards the south and southwest until it
reaches almost all of Balochistan (apart from a few sites in the northeast), southwest Punjab, and central and
upper Sindh, where a minimum range of only a few to 129 mm is apparent. Hence, we may say that the sub-
northern regions of Pakistan received the majority of the monsoon rains. In terms of patterns, it largely
matches what we saw in the regional distribution of annual rainfall.

The 30-year normal winter (DJFM) rainfall spatial distribution in Pakistan is shown in Fig. 10. With a 30%
portion of Pakistan's total yearly precipitation, DJFM rainfall ranks second. It is clear that the area near Dir
in the northwest experiences the largest rainfall range (516–642), with the next greater range (386–514)
continuing through the region around Murree, Kakul, Balakot, Saidu Sharif, and Garhi Dupatta. Although
the maximal DJFM-rainfall occurs across the same geographic area as in the JAS example, the covered area
is progressively thinner than what was seen in the latter case, it is notable (Figs. 8 and 9).

Here, it is noted that the lowest range, which extends from southwest to northeast and culminates in
Mianwali and its suburbs, covers more than three-fourths of Pakistan before reemerging over an eastern GB
in the northeast. This contrasts with the range-minima we noticed in the regional distribution of yearly and
JAS rainfall (Figs. 8-9). It's because the majority of the country's rain falls in the west and southwest
throughout the winter because of mid-latitude cyclones that propagate eastward known as "western
disturbances," or WDs (Martyn, 1992).
Apart from JAS and DJFM rains, which account for 57% and 30% of the total precipitation, the remaining
13% is contributed by local convective thunderstorm development during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon
transitional periods. We further separate these two transitional times into the spring or pre-monsoon season
(April to June, AMJ) and the autumn/post-monsoon season to see how precisely the rainfall during these two
transitional times is distributed spatially (October – November, ON).

In this case, the range-maxima (about 257-386 mm) was once more discovered across the same sub-northern
region near Murree, Kakul, Gari Dupatta, Muzaffarabad, and Balakot. Evidently, the majority of the GB,
KP, Punjab, all of Sindh, and Balochistan are spatially distributed within the minimal rainfall range of 0-129
mm. The regional distribution of rainfall from October through November, often known as the post-
monsoon season. It is the driest or least rainy season of the year.

Contrary to the three seasons previously covered, it can be seen that practically the entire nation is seeing
rainfall minimum of less than 129 mm. Hence, ON or post-monsoon appears to be the time of year when
Pakistan receives a remarkably small amount of precipitation. The spatial distribution of annual normal
rainfall which ranges from 37-327 mm in the southwest and south of Pakistan to 1485-1775 mm in sub-
northern regions of the nation, reveals a significant intra-regional rainfall variability. Similar to JAS, DJFM,
AMJ, and ON, the geographical distribution of four seasonal rainfalls shows that more significant rains are
experienced by the sub-northern nation and very little rains fell over the south and southwest of the country.

Consequently, the spatial distribution of rainfall, whether it be annual or seasonal, reveals an amusingly
typical characteristic of being notably large in the north and sub-northern regions of the nation and
insignificantly low across the south and southwest. According to Walterschied, the height, mountain
barriers, and topography have a significant impact on precipitation, the second most important element of
the climate (2009). Pakistan is geographically surrounded by the Himalayan, Karakoram, and Hindukush
(HKH) mountain ranges, which have a significant impact on the climate of the region by altering not only
Pakistan's rainfall and temperature but also significantly affecting the general atmospheric circulation in the
Sub-continent, according to Pakistan Geographical Review (1962).

Often, the windward side of a mountainous terrain has increased rainfall, while the leeward side lacks this
benefit and seems more desolate. Hence, the significant variation in rainfall that has been seen in the annual
and seasonal spatial distribution across Pakistan can undoubtedly be linked to the north of Pakistan's
mountain barriers, distinctive terrain, and variable height. Hence, the stark difference in rainfall and
temperature between south and north Pakistan appears to be a key element in determining the various
climate types on the Pakistani mainland.

KÖPPEN CLIMATE CLASSIFICATIONS

At each of the 59 meteorological stations, the climatic variables employed in the Köppen-Geiger system
were determined. The findings make it abundantly evident that Pakistan's climate is arid to semi-arid for
more than three-fourths of the country (middle and south Pakistan). It is distinguished by high temperatures
and little precipitation. Around 17% (of the meteorological stations utilised in the study) are in temperate
climates (submountain regions in the north), while slightly over 5% are in frigid climates (in northeast
Pakistan, three GB stations demonstrate the D type climate).

Table 2 shows the detail of main climate classes and their further sub-classes. So we can conclude that in
total the calculated Köppen climate classes across Pakistan come out to be 12 whereas there are 27 number
of Köppen climate classes as per criteria given in Table 1.

Pakistan point climate classification based on Köppen climate classification system.

Fig. 13: Pakistan climate classification map based on Köppen climate classification system showing spatial
distribution of 12 Köppen climate classes with dominant one being the BWhw followed by rest.
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