Geography (AKU-GEO)
Topic 2 of 7Aga Khan Board

Climate & Weather

Weather patterns, monsoon, climate zones and climate change

Weather = short-term atmospheric conditions at a specific place and time. Climate = average weather patterns over 30+ years for a region.


Key elements of weather: temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed/direction, cloud cover, air pressure.


Pakistan's climate zones:

  • Arid/semi-arid: Most of Balochistan and Thar Desert — very little rainfall, extreme temperature ranges
  • Humid subtropical: Punjab and Sindh plains — hot summers, mild winters, seasonal rainfall
  • Highland/alpine: Northern areas (Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK) — cool summers, heavy snowfall in winter
  • Coastal: Karachi — moderated by Arabian Sea, relatively stable temperatures

    • The Monsoon: South Asia's most important weather system. **Southwest monsoon** (June-September) brings 60-70% of Pakistan's annual rainfall. Moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal drop rain as they rise over land. Late monsoon or failure → drought and food insecurity.


    Climate change impacts on Pakistan:

  • Glacier melting (Gilgit-Baltistan has 7,253 glaciers — more than anywhere outside the poles)
  • More extreme flooding (2022 floods submerged ⅓ of Pakistan — 1,700 deaths)
  • Intensified heat waves (50°C+ in Jacobabad)
  • Irregular monsoon patterns threatening agriculture

    • Key Points to Remember

    • 1Weather = short-term; climate = 30+ year average
    • 2Pakistan: arid south, humid Punjab/Sindh, alpine north
    • 3Monsoon brings 60-70% of Pakistan's annual rainfall
    • 4Climate change: glacier melt, extreme floods, heat waves

    Pakistan Example

    The 2022 Pakistan Floods — Climate Change in Action

    The 2022 Pakistan floods — triggered by record monsoon rains and glacier melt — submerged one-third of the country, affecting 33 million people and causing $30 billion in damage. AKU Geography students should understand the chain: global warming → warmer oceans → stronger monsoon moisture → intensified rainfall + accelerated glacier melt → catastrophic flooding. Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global emissions but suffers disproportionately.

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