Pakistan records unusually high March temperatures

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded several temperature extremes in March, with some readings already crossing thresholds the world is trying to avoid by 2030, according to a special summary of observations issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Although the international community is working to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, Pakistan is already seeing episodes of extreme heat despite contributing only a small share to global greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the PMD, the country’s average nighttime minimum temperature during March was the second-highest ever recorded for the month. The department stated, ‘The country-level nighttime (minimum) temperature of 14.7 C was warmer by +2.7°C than the countrywide average of 12.0°C and ranked 2nd highest.’ It added that the highest such reading on record was 15.0°C, reported in 2022.

The PMD also said the national mean temperature for March was the fifth-highest on record. In its summary, it said, ‘The national mean temperature of 21.6°C was warmer than the country-average of 19.3°C with an anomaly of +2.3°C and ranked 5th highest.’

Daytime temperatures also remained well above normal levels during the month. The department said, ‘The daytime (maximum) temperature of 28.5°C at country-level was also warmer with a positive anomaly of +2.0°C.’

The hottest day of the month was recorded in Sindh, where Mithi and Shaheed Benazirabad both reached 40.5°C on March 10, the PMD said. Mithi was also identified as the warmest location overall during the month, posting a mean monthly maximum temperature of 36.8°C.

At the other end of the scale, the lowest temperature in March was recorded in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, where the mercury fell to -2.0°C on March 3. The PMD said Kalam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the coldest place on average, with a mean monthly minimum temperature of 2.5°C.

Rainfall during March was also above average across the country. The PMD said national area-weighted rainfall stood at 38.9 millimetres, which represented a positive departure of 24 per cent for the month. Malam Jabba in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received the heaviest single-day rainfall, with 74mm recorded on March 31. It was also the wettest place overall in March, with total rainfall of 315 mm.

The department further said that broader climate indicators remained neutral, with neither El Nino nor La Nina conditions currently in effect.

The PMD findings were released in a special monthly summary highlighting temperature and rainfall patterns observed across the country during March.