It was a pleasant spring day on March 6, 2011, the sky was partially clouded with occasional sea breeze. Surfing through the internet during the afternoon, I was looking for some websites that would tell only tell about Pakistan’s weather and climate. To my utter surprise  there was no weather blog that would highlight the weather neither on Facebook or any other platform.

There were few foreign websites that gave few updates about Pakistan but they were mostly incomplete and those updates were published once a month, in short I was referred back to the weather blogs of America, India or United Arab Emirates, this was embarrassing for a country of 187 million. Out of my patience I knew that something was missing from the Internet, every country has blogs that give information about different walks of life therefore taking this step was not necessary but mandatory.

The Creation 

A blog that would focus on anything related on weather of the country and sometimes the world – Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) was made at 4:00 pm on March 6, 2011. It was a small blog at first that used to give micro updates but in few days it started giving detailed articles related to any story related to weather myths, history, geography etc.

Rise to Fame and Achievements

Conquered America, Europe and Sub-continent

To my surprise in just few months,  PWP started coming on Google’s search and in no time we were being mentioned everywhere. The Portal’s achievements are mentioned below;

1. Washington Post, one of the most popular newspaper of the world, mentioned PWP’s article on the outbreak of  Peacock disease. (check here)
2. The Nation, a Pakistani newspaper, took some paragraphs from PWP’s article on Karachi’s dust storm. (check here)
3. The Global Warming Foundation, an American website that focuses on Global Warming, highlighted PWP’s heat wave article. (Check here)
4. Siasat, a forum that discusses the political situation of Pakistan, mentioned PWP’s article on Karachi’s dust storm. (check here).
5. Focal Points, a blog run by a foreigner, mentioned Monsoon of Pakistan. (Check here)
6. Bharat Rakshak, a forum that discusses the military situation of India, mentioned PWP’s article on Dust storm in Peshawar. (Check here)
7. Homeopathy World Community, a group website that looks after the victims of natural disaster, mentioned the Weather patterns in Pakistan by PWP. (Check here)
8. Muscat Daily, a famous newspaper in Oman has mentioned PWP many times. (check here)
9. Oman now, a news website mentioned PWP in November. (check here)
10. Pakistan fisherfolk, a group that looks after the safety and their welfare, followed every update of PWP regarding the expected cyclone. They mentioned us on their Facebook page and Twitter page. (Check here and here)
11. Pakistan Red crescent society, PRCS is a humanitarian organization, dedicated to improving lives of vulnerable segments of the society, PRCS has mentioned PWP on their monsoon updates. (check here)
12. Humanitarian Response of Pakistan has mentioned PWP in their monsoon updates. (check here)
13. Climate Himalaya, a website led by south Asian users highlighted PWP’s Green Revolution in November 2011. (check here)
14. Jinn Org, a site about demons and supernatural beings mentioned Seraiki myth – Dust storms are possessed by Demons! in April 2012. (check here)
15. World Weather Post, a website that collects the best articles related to weather from all around the world has mentioned PWP many times. PWP’s tropical coverage remained on top for 5 continuous week on that website, beating BBC, CNN, Reuter and Hindustan times. (check here)
16. PWP is also mentioned on many international forums and blogs from Manila to New york. PWP’s tropical coverage was translated by many Omanis in Arabic and they followed us hour by hour (check some of these here)
17. PWP is also mentioned on many Facebook and twitter pages of different people around the world.

The Purpose – To create awareness

First logo of Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP)

It was my aim to create awareness among Pakistanis about the dangers of nature and climate change hence it was important for me to create such a platform. PWP gave daily weather updates and created 300+ since March 6, 2011 which included weather, climate, space, enviroment related articles to give Pakistanis all this on one platform.

• Thus today we have achieved our first aim as of 2012!

Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) has now created an independent weather community in Pakistan that was never seen before in Pakistan. People can now share their views, information with each other and stay in touch with the latest weather development in the country especially during monsoon and storms. We have spread the weather of Pakistan across the global

• In 2013, we have achieved our second aim as well!

Inspiration from others

I have mentioned this before and I will mention it again, It was Mr.Ahmed’s blog from Dubai, UAE that inspired me to create this blog and Rajesh Kapadia’s blog whose friendship with PWP is a lesson for Indo-Pak Relations.

Thanks to PWP Fans

It is because of the PWP-Readers that this Portal is still alive and I would love to thank all of them for running this blog. Few names that I remember are mentioned below;

• Ahmed Zafar and Shoaib Daniel - They have been a loyal supporters of PWP since its creation.
• Demon - I dont know his original name but he was the first person to visit this blog and that is something that you don’t forget.
• Shoaib Iqbal - A regular visitor of the Portal and always share his views which are always welcomed.
• Waseem Ahmed - Many times he has shared his weather experience with me through emails.
• Tarim (fragnat1c) - A regular visitor during the monsoon season.
• Umar Khan and Daniyal - I always wanted people of Punjab to take interest in PWP therefore I am happy to see them doing so.
• Yousuf Tahir - I cannot thank this person enough, the image and logo of PWP you see today is because of him.
  

Other sites related to Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP)

In the year 2012, PWP introduced Pakistan’s first weather Youtube channel, a sign of success. We will expand more in the coming months and years.

The Portal will remain with you!

Today is the second anniversary of Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP), the blog had another amazing year and journey with the people of the world and we are looking forward in doing so for the third year. Keeping the mood of the people in mind, PWP will continue its aim in spreading the word of climate change, possibly the biggest upcoming threat for Pakistan! In the end, we should pray for the stability of our country as it is the only home we have. Pakistan Zindabad!

Tremors felt in eastern coast of Sindh including Thatta, Badin and other areas of coastal Sindh.

Update on March 7 at 9:42 pm PKT 

Initial readings show a 4.1 magnitude Earthquake in eastern Sindh coast. The Earthquake was 172 km away from Karachi, it is not significant.

“This is a real incident that occurred in Japan on March 4″

Bleak and Cheerless Story

On a snowy day in Yubetsu in Hokkaido, Japan, a little girl named Natsune, aged only nine years lost her only parent in a freakish and foul blizzard that froze her father to death. Mikio Okada, a fisherman by profession, he was a father that would delay the start of his work just for the sake of enjoying a family breakfast with his daughter.

The fateful day begins

The Last Blizzard

On a typical snowy evening of March 4, Mr Okada had picked her only daughter from school after work while on their way, the haunting blizzard with winds up to 109 kilometre trapped their truck in a middle of the road as sheets of snow continued to fall mercilessly, eventually the truck had become stranded in the driving snow. The pair had no option but to travel by foot. Okada carried his daughter in the arms and covered her with his jacket exposing himself to the everlasting blizzard but his main concern was to keep his daughter warm which he did.

Gust of death – Wall Between the Nature and Child

After only covering few metres, Okada died as the gusty winds froze him to death, he did everything to protect the life of his daughter. When he was found, Okada was in a bent position, acting as wall between the Nature and his daughter Nastune. The girl in the frozen hands of her father was weeping and crying slowly.

Cake ready for celebration!

The incident occurred on ‘Girl’s day’ which is a family festival in which families across Japan decorate their houses with dolls. The touching story is that Mr Okada had bought a cake for his daughter and was looking forward by celebrating it with his child.

‘Spring Record Broken ?’

Flowers shine during the heatwave

This week Karachi was burning both politically as well as climatically, there is no doubt that this winter for Karachi was rainy and at the same time warm, the winter started late but ended normally. As soon as the winter ended, a heat wave entered the city including it’s province where it caused temperatures to reach above 35°C especially from March 5 till March 7 thus depriving the city the pleasant air of spring.

What is causing this heat wave?

A high pressure over northern Arabian sea and adjoining southern parts of Pakistan which has caused temperatures caused to rise in the southern province of Sindh where temperatures had been above 35°C especially from March 5 till March 6. This pressure would soon be replaced as a low pressure area would enter the country on March 8.

When will this burden end?

Together – Spring and Summer

As soon as the western disturbance ’22′ would enter the country, the south-western winds would force their entry into Karachi and by March 9, the temperature would come back to the temperatures of spring season. The temperatures would come back to 30 to 33°C, which is quite pleasant and the mercury would range between them till middle of March. 

In 2012, a  heating trend started in the second last week of February due to the same developing conditions in the Arabian sea but at that time the northern areas of the country were still under a coldwave.

Has the heat wave set record?

The record for March has not been broken as the maximum temperature in March of Karachi was recorded at 42°C on March 19, 2010. But the highest days of hot temperatures in March occurred in 2004 when many days temperature more than 36°C was recorded, from March 18 till March 20, 40°C was recorded in Karachi in 2004. It is worth mentioning that this heat wave has broken the temperatures of first week of March, following are the recorded temperatures mentioned;

• On March 5, 2013 – 36°C was recorded.
• Record NOT broken - 36°C was recorded in 2004.
• On March 6, 2013 - 37 °C was recorded.
• Record broken – 36°C was recorded in 2004.
• On March 7, 2013 – 39°C was recorded.
• Record broken - 33°C was recorded in 2004.

The coming week and the third week of March could be cooler for Karachi due to continuation of western winds. Thats the spring spirit!

• WD 23 – Rain in all provinces?

• Spring and Winter Combination!

• WD 24- Another rainy system also spotty

Precipitation – Temperature

The spring season has started in the country with flowers blossoming everywhere. The winter officially ended in the southern parts of the country during the last week of February as per the forecast of Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) issued on January 29 while winter has withdrawn from the northern areas as the transition period has started, as maximum temperature have risen above the average temperature.

Weather of Past Days

“Heating trend had been disturbed!”

*A sweating heatwave had gripped the southern parts of the country especially the Port city of Karachi.

*Western disturbance ’22′ entered the northern areas on March 11 and left the country that night, it brought showers to the northern areas and caused temperature to decrease in the southern areas. It caused a hailstorm in Mardan,  shockingly the system caused no rainfall in Islamabad even though nearby areas received rain. WD ’22′ was not very active and was mostly weak.

Weather of Coming Days

“Scattered activity to occur”

Western disturbance ’23′ would affect many parts of the country from March 12 till March 15/March 16. It would affect the northern, central and southern parts with varying intensity and duration. Its main focus would be the north-western areas especially Khyber Pakhutnkhwa and adjoining Punjab.

Northern areas – Mostly moderate!

Isolated heavy downpour possible (shown in green)

From March 12 night till March 16, there are chances of rainfall at times isolated heavy in the northern areas along with thunder/lightening and dusty winds. During this week more than 75 mm precipitation in the areas of Muree (Punjab), Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir), Kalam (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Besham Naran (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Dasu (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Saidu (Khyber Paktunkhwa), Kagan (Khyber Paktunkhwa) and Mardarn (Khyber Paktunkhwa)and other adjoining areas. Snowfall could occur in the hilly areas. There is also a slight possibility that area around Kalam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) could get precipitation around 100 mm this week. During this period, rainfall of 45 mm to 50 mm moderate rainfall could fall in capital city of Islamabad with thunder/lightening and fast winds (50 km/h to 56 km/h).

Other cities of Punjab like Lahore, Sialkot, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Faisalabad may get rainfall with thunder/lightening along with dusty winds on March 14/March 15, rainfall here could be 35 mm to 45 mm.

Central areas – Stable Showers coming?

South Punjab that is Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and adjoining cities may experience a shower with thunder/lightening on March 13/March 14, rainfall to remain under 20 mm. On March 12/March 13 there are chances of showers with fast winds in Quetta, Kalat and other cities of north-western Balochistan.

Southern areas – Passing Shower coming to Karachi?

On March 13, there are chances of isolated shower with thunder/lightening in Karachi, Thatta, Jacobabad, Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Dadu, Sukkur and other adjoining cities. 1 mm to 5 mm could occur in Karachi especially areas in the north of Karachi. Slight possibility of this activity also happening along the Makran coast.

Weather of Future

“More Spring Showers?”

Second last week of March may see another western system impacting the northern areas, its intensity is weak at the moment but the rain coverage is scattered.

Article would be updated tomorrow.

Poll of the Week

‘Same fate of Lahore and Rawalpindi’

Snow-like sourroundings

On March 14, the federal capital Islamabad was whitened from its colourful atmosphere that came as a surprise as a thunderstorm yielded intense hailstorm, the storm impacted major cities of northern Punjab. A Western Winds was responsible for the unusual turn in the event.

Does it hail in Islamabad?

Yes, hailstorm is very normal in Islamabad most people were confuse it with snow but the fact of the matter is that snowfall does  not occur in Islamabad. The only place where snow occurs is the Margalla hills that is near the city where this snowy weather rarely visits!

Watch the Hailstorm in Islamabad

What is a hailstorm?

Beautiful View after Hail

A hail is like a block of solid ice that are liquid in the air but becomes solid due to low temperatures. Snow on the other hand is  watery flakes they occur only when the air near the ground is very cold to below freezing level.

Hail in other cities 

The other cities that received hailstorm included Rawalpindi and Lahore. In February 2011, an intense hailstorm occurred in Lahore that made the city experience the Murree environment.

“March to end with two rain systems”

• Triple fun is coming!

Clouds rumbling over Lahore in March

Not one, not even two but three western systems are expected to affect the country in just two weeks. March will not end with dry weather! Usually the month is calmer with warming trend and short period of rain but this year similar to February, more than two western systems have caused precipitation in the country in March and more is coming!

Western disturbance ’25′

On March 20, passing clouds and fast winds with short burst of gust could occur in the coastal areas of the country including Karachi, winds could reach 46 km/h to 56 km/h. There are also chances of drizzle/isolated shower in the extreme northern, northern and few north-western areas of the country. This activity would last for 24 hours and it is mostly unimportant.

Western disturbance ’26′

• From March 22 till March 24

This western system could impact the country from March 22 night till March 24 morning, it can affect many parts of the country. The precipitation written below is for 9-day period.

Northern Areas – Stable rain

Rain coverage from WD ’26′

There are chances of rain/showers with thunder/lightening in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Gurjanwala, Murre, Jhelum and adjoining cities. Hailstorm could also occur over the the northern areas of Punjab on March 23/March 24. (20 mm to 35 mm).  During this week more than 77 mm precipitation in the areas of Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir), Kalam (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Besham Naran (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Dasu (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Saidu (Khyber Paktunkhwa), Kagan (Khyber Paktunkhwa) and Mardarn (Khyber Paktunkhwa)and other adjoining areas.

There are also chances of rain/showers with thunder/lightening in Abbottabad, Bannu, Peshawar, Mardan and adjoining cities on March 23/March 24. (western – 50 mm to 65 mm)

Central Areas – Light rain

There are chances of drizzle or isolated shower/rain in Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining cities on March 23/March 24. (2 mm to 5 mm)

There are chances of light rain/showers in Quetta, Chaman, Sibbi and other adjoining cities of Balochistan on March 22/March 23. (10 mm to 35 mm)

Southern Areas – Isolated shower

There are chances of drizzle/light shower in Karachi, Nawabshah, Larkana, Jacoababad, Sukkur and other adjoining cities on March 23. (5 mm to 10 mm). In Karachi traces or 1 mm rainfall could occur.

Western Disturbance ’27′

• From March 26 to March 28

From March 26 or March 27, more rainfall is expected in the northern areas while isolated rain could occur in the central areas. Moisture level may also increase in the southern areas.

Poll of the Week

Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) wants to know whether the monsoon would be delayed keeping in the mind the non-stop western disturbances;

Moon emerges, post-thunderstorm

It was an usual day for Karachi with bright sun but during the night, suddenly the sky covered with clouds that exploded with thunder and lightning. After some time, rain poured with enormous drops that mildly flooded the roads due to lashing downpours. Hail along with rain came as a surprise, this year it has hailed a lot in Karachi after many years.

The rain only lasted for 10 minutes, the heaviest occurred in southern areas.

•  This article have been shared by Waseem Ahmed from Karachi, Pakistan

MARCH WEATHER EXTREMES in KARACHI (during last 25 years)

Karachi Flooded roads in March

Although the month of March is a relatively quiet month in Karachi weather wise but there have been few exceptional events in its History when people of Karachi saw extreme weather in this month also.

Beach of Karachi

WETTEST DAY: 11^th March, 2007 (35 mm) and 19^th March, 2007: (53 mm – in North Karachi)

COLDEST DAY: 3^rd March, 1991: 22°C

HOTTEST DAY: 19^th March, 2010: 42°C

HOTTEST MARCH:  In 2004 it was the “Hottest month of March in Karachi” when there were 17 hot days out of 31 days (Highest number of ‘Hot Days’ in month of March when maximum temperature was 36°C or above).

CLOUDIEST MARCH: In 1997 there were almost ‘21 days with clouds’ out of 31 days – Highest number of cloudy days in any ‘March’ i.e. partly to mostly cloudy.

Rains in KARACHI during the month of MARCH:

As historically we know that ‘MARCH’ is a fairly dry month for most of Sindh including Karachi however there have been number of years when city received light to moderate and sometimes even heavy rains also.

Stats of rain in March

Given is a look at the major precipitation events in the city during the month of March for last 22 years.

(A picture of Karachi on 11^th March, 2007)

Portal Interactive – Get Interactive now!

Send your weather articles, research, ideas, videos or pictures on babar.cyclone@yahoo.com Your article would be published on Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) with your name and city, without any changes. So you could also be the part of Portal Interactive!

In the month of March 2013, Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) published a total of 12 articles out of which two belong to the Portal Interactive;

1. Portal Interactive: March Weather Extremes in Karachi
2. Explosive rain with hail lands in Karachi!
3. Pakistan Weather Update (March 19 – March 31
4. When Hailstorm painted Islamabad White!
5. Pakistan Weather Update (March 10 – March 17)
6. Heatwave enters as soon as Winter ends – Karachi burns!
7. Froze to Death: The Wall Between Nature and Child!
8. Earthquake jolts Sindh coast!
9. Two years ago – Pakistan’s first weather blog emerged!
10. Whitewash – Japan gets pounded by snow!
11. Portal Interactive: Plane Crash a Mystery of Pakistan
12. Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) – February in Review!

Article of the month

The article of the month is “Froze to Death: The Wall Between Nature and Child!“

Message for Pakistan!

Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) is the first site in the world to uncover this hidden pattern.

FORGET ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS WORRY ABOUT THE PEOPLE! PWP’s new article would soon be making landfall at any time and any day! Stay with PWP and share this as much as possible and spread the word!

 Because after those five reasons you will believe us!

• Lahore awaits showers?

• Karachi to get wet again!

• Sea could get rough in Makran!

Temperature – Precipitation Map

It been a wet winter season in Pakistan as every month is bringing rain from north till south, this trend has started from December and is continuing. Another Western system has been spotted and it is likely to cause a coastal thunderstorm to form near the southern parts. On the other hand, temperatures have started to rise in the country.

Western Disturbance ’01′

• From April 7 till April 10

As per the latest map, Western disturbance ’01′ could affect the northern, north-western, western and south-western areas of the country. It would have isolated to scattered thunderstorms that would move in their respective path, a trough towards south could affect the coast. On April 5, this western system would be over lower central Iran and by April 7, it would be over south-eastern parts of Iran and Pakistan.  Overall its strength is not much significant, judging by the charts, its intensity is weak to moderate. Western Disturbance ’01′ is the first western system after the end of autumn/winter season in March, a total of 28 western disturbance affected the country from October till March, following are the characteristics of western disturbance ’01′;

Coastal thunderstorm

The coastal thunderstorm would move along the Makran coast would continue to move towards the Sindh coast especially Karachi, Keti Bander and Thatta and after that it would move towards the northern areas of the country. This coastal thunderstorm would have weakened by the time it would affect Sindh coast. This activity is expected on April 8.

Northern Thunderstorm

After April 8, small patches of thunderstorm would be forming over northern areas till April 10.

Last year, a Massive and Active Western Disturbance ’02′ brought countrywide heavy precipitation, it was also responsible for the Bhoja Airlines tragedy. The storm created rough sea along the Makran coast, it also brought light rain to Karachi on April 5 after 1997

Northern Areas – Patchy thunderstorms!

Heaviest rainfall in the North!

There are chances of thunder/lightning with rainfall (45 mm) at times moderate with isolated heavy falls along with hailstorm in the areas of Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir), Kalam (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Besham Naran (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Dasu (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Saidu (Khyber Paktunkhwa), Kagan (Khyber Paktunkhwa) and Mardarn (Khyber Paktunkhwa)and other adjoining areas. In the surrounding it could be around 25 mm/35 mm from April 8 till April 10.

From April 9/April 10, there are chances of showers with thunder/lightening in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Gurjanwala, Murre, Jhelum and adjoining cities. Hail and fast winds are also possible. (below 15 mm/25 mm). The weather is going with be partly/mostly cloudy.

There are also chances of rain/showers with thunder/lightening in Abbottabad, Bannu, Peshawar, Mardan and adjoining cities on on April 8 till April 10. (around 25 mm)

Central Areas – Drizzle?

There are chances of drizzle or isolated shower/rain in Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining cities on April 10. (below 10 mm)

There are chances of light rain/showers in Quetta, Chaman, Sibbi and other adjoining cities of Balochistan on April 7 night till April 8. (10 mm to 25 mm)

Southern Areas – Sea could be rough?

“Caution: Western disturbance has the potential to create slightly rough sea along Makran coast.”

There are chances of rain with thunder/lightening in Karachi, Nawabshah, Larkana, Jacoababad, Sukkur, Thatta, Keti Bander and other adjoining cities on April 8. Precipitation would be much higher on the coastal and south-western parts of Sindh. In Karachi, 10 mm rainfall could occur on April 8.

Makran coast including Gwadar could experience some gusty winds along with moderate with isolated heavy falls (25 mm to 35 mm) on April 7 late night/April 8 morning. Sea across the extreme western parts of Makran coast could be rough.

Poll of the Week

Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) wants to know;

.

Beware of the Gushing Waters, Pakistan!

Waves batter the Pakistani coast

Pakistan should gear up and take necessary precautions ! because if the history is to be trusted then south Pakistan should expect a cyclone (hurricane) to affect its coastal areas during the upcoming summer. An astonishing pattern is seen in the Arabian sea as cyclones are following a ‘schedule’ to affect southern parts of Pakistan. There are five reasons to believe that a cyclone is coming this year!

Cyclones form in which month?

Cyclone making landfall over Sindh coast – REAL IMAGE

Cyclones in the Arabian sea (see Cyclones in Pakistan) form mostly from May till June and then from September till October, monsoon season plays a vital role for the formation of cyclone in this basin. Tropical storms that hit Pakistan are mostly remnants by the time reach Pakistan or make landfall in south eastern Sindh which is not very much populated they rarely move towards the Balochistan coast.

Each year before the onset of monsoon that is 15 April to 15 July and also after its withdrawal that is 15 September to 15 December, there is always a distinct possibility of the cyclonic storm to develop in the north Arabian Sea. There is a 98 per cent chance of cyclones to turn towards the Indian state of Gujarat, one per cent chance of moving towards the Gulf and one per cent chance of moving towards the Pakistani coast.

Top Five Reasons to believe the cyclone is coming this summer!

1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010

Since the 21st century, the country has seen frequent storms developing in the Arabian sea moving towards it’s coastline. Following are the reasons;

1.1998 Gujarat Cyclone - A category-3 cyclone, it killed 12 people in Karachi due to heavy rainfall. It affected Pakistan indirectly.

2. 2001 India Cyclone – The third most strongest hurricane (category-3) in the Arabian sea, had winds upto 135 miles per hour. It caused 100,000 people to be evacuated from Sindh province. It affected Pakistan indirectly.

3. 2004 Cyclone ‘Onil’ - The first cyclone to be named in the north Indian ocean. Onil brought 145 mm rainfall to Thatta, caused whole drainage system to collapse in Hyderabad while nine people died in Karachi. It affected Pakistan directly as a result 300 went missing, possibly dead.

4. 2007 Cyclone ‘Gonu’ and ‘Yemyin’ - Super Gonu (category-5) was the strongest hurricane in the Arabian sea while the second strongest in the North Indian ocean, it destroyed 200 boats in Gwadar, Gonu affected the country indirectly. Cyclone ‘Yemyin’ killed 200 people in Karachi with week long torrential rainfall, it affected the country directly.

5. 2010 Cyclone ‘Phet’ – The second strongest hurricane (category-4) in the history of the Arabian sea, it killed 15 people in Pakistan. Most damage occurred along the Makran coast. It affected the country directly.

So what is conclusion!

1998, *1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013!

It is quite clear that AFTER TWO YEARS there is a cyclone in the Arabian sea that affects Pakistan either directly or indirectly! Even though there were cyclones between these years but none of them affected Pakistan with the *exception of 1999 cyclone.

2013 Pakistan Cyclone?

The above mentioned details of a coming cyclone are NOT based on a meteorological forecast but rather on an astonishing historical  pattern that has caused the country to be affected by a cyclone after every two years! (we saw in 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010)

Meteorological Forecast – Things are getting hot?

Ocean Temperatures across the globe

The Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) are somewhat high in the Indian ocean (both parts) as compared to other oceans. According to the map released by the U.S National Weather Service, it showed that temperatures are 29°C to 30 °C (some small pockets have above 30 °C) in the south-east Arabian sea as well as the lower Bay of Bengal.

High temperatures in the south Indian ocean were responsible for a tropical disturbance that was sheared due to high vertical wind shear before further intensification during the past week. The southern parts of Bay of Bengal is also experiencing a formation of tropical thunderstorms that could be an area of interest for future forecast.

As far as the Arabian sea is concerned as mentioned, the south-eastern parts have high temperatures but the northern sector (Sindh-Gujarat coast) is generally stable with 22°C to 24°C, the temperatures could increase in the coming months. So is the PWP’s “AFTER TWO YEAR MYTH” true? It is possible because cyclones are coming to Pakistan after every two years!

Massive Earthquake hit UAE, Iran, Pakistan and India. The magnitude was 7.8 on Richter Scale. Two tremors were felt in Karachi just at 3:48 pm.

In January 2011, a similar earthquake of same pattern of magnitude 7.2 hit UAE, Iran, Pakistan, India and other adjoining countries, it followed a similar pattern like today’s earthquake.

Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) started giving updates from April 16 (3:48 pm PKT, earthquake hit the country at 3:44 pm PKT) and PWP continues to give updates about the strongest earthquake in 40 years in the region.

Update at 3:50 pm PKT on April 16

Earthquake rocks UAE, Pakistan and western India.

Update at 3:59 pm PKT on April 16

Magnitude is 7.9 of the Earthquake, initial readings. Powerful tremors in Karachi at 3:48 pm !!!!!! There were two tremors here, Earthquake in UAE, Iran, Pakistan and India.

Update at 4:05 pm PKT on April 16

Traffic jam at major roads of Karachi, buildings evacuated. The Center of the Earthquake was Pak-Iran border.

Update at 4:11 pm PKT on April 16

Earthquake downgraded at 7.8 magnitude by U.S Geological Survey. Major cities of Pakistan felt the Earthquake that is Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta and Hyderabad.

Update at 4:17 pm PKT on April 16

Panic in Karachi slowly easing, no fatality occurred during the massive earthquake in Iran, UAE, Pakistan and India. No threat of tsunami.

Update at 4:20 pm PKT on April 16

BREAKING NEWS: Part of building collapses in Karachi, 5 people injured!!

Update at 4:37 pm PKT on April 16

The center of Earthquake

BREAKING NEWS: 100 people feared dead in Iran, the number could rise. The center of the Earthquake seen above.

Update on 4:57 pm at April 16

Five people dead in Panjgur (Balochistan), five injured in Karachi, 45 people dead in Iran. Destruction might have occurred in western parts of Balochistan, no media coverage there yet!

Update on 5:00 pm at April 16

Separate Earthquake hits Indonesia!! magnitude 6!!

Update at 5:18 pm on April 16

Situation back to normal in the affected countries excluding Iran. Aftershocks only occurred in UAE. Massive Earthquake was felt in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Pakistan and India. 45 people dead in Iran while 850 injured. 5 people dead in Pakistan while 50 injured.

Update at 8:15 pm PKT on April 16

PAK DEATH TOLL RISES - 21 people dead in Mashkel (Balochistan), 1,000 homes destroyed. 65 people injured in the country. Army dispatched to the area.

Update at 8:52 am PKT on April 17

BREAKING NEWS: Fresh Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 rocks southern Iran, tremors felt in Balochistan inlcuding Quetta and Oman. Death toll in Pakistan now 40 while 180 people are injured.

Update on 7:11 pm PKT on April 17

Rain falling with thunder/lightening along with fast winds in the Earthquake-hit areas of Pakistan-Iran.

Earthquake of magnitude 6.2 (initial readings) hits northern Pakistan including Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Multan and other adjoining cities. Tremors felt in North-West India as well.

Update on April 24 at 2:44 pm PKT

Tremors shakes buildings in New Delhi, India.

Update on April 24 at 2:48 pm PKT

Earthquake downgraded to 5.9 magnitude on Richter Scale. The epicenter was north-eastern Afghanistan, not appearing as a strong earthquake like the one experienced few weeks back.

Update on April 24 at 2:59 pm PKT

Epicenter of the Quake

Earthquake further downgraded to 5.7 magnitude, countries that felt the quake included Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

Watch out Pakistan!

Lunar Eclipse visible in Pakistan

Partial Lunar Eclipse to be visible in Pakistan from 12:52 am till 01:23 am on April 26. It will reach its peak at 1:09 am, so look at the sky and enjoy.

Precautions need??

The lunar eclipse will not give off any harmful radiations, it means that they will be able to view the phenomenon without reserve, unlike a solar eclipse. So enjoy it.

Difference between solar eclipse and lunar eclipse

Solar eclipse can only be viewed in a comparatively small region, a lunar eclipse is visible to anyone living on the night side of the earth.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the earth passes between the moon and the sun forming more-or-less a straight line. Viewers will then watch the moon beginning to take a reddish hue and eventually turning deep red, before it will return to its normal silver white shade.

Types of Lunar eclipse

The diagram displaying Lunar eclipse

•  A partial lunar eclipse occurs when a portion of the moon passes through the Earth’s umbral shadow. This is easy to see and can be viewed by the naked eye without any danger of damage to the eye whatsoever.
• A total lunar eclipse occurs when the whole moon disappears as it passes through the Earth’s umbral shadow. This is when the moon emits very different vibrant colors which are breathtakingly beautiful.

Lunar eclipse in Karachi?

Lunar eclipse and Clouds

All clouds gone just for the lunar eclipse. So Karachiites do not forget to watch it!

‘Highlight quake-hit Balochistan’s flood!’

Going to make a short article to make a straight and a quick point! Where is our media now? I mean seriously western coastal Balochistan has been affected by heavy flooding past week yet we have not seen a report on media’s precious headlines.

Dark clouds roared over Balochistan

Much of coastal areas of Pakistan since Decemeber last year are under a grip of unusual monthly heavy rainfall. Heavy torrential rainfall had lashed Makran coast since past few days including Gwadar causing the death of five people, heavy flooding has occurred in Gwadar and Kech district where shops have been submerged under storm water while several walls have collapsed.

Why do we forget to help the needy?

Discrimintation? – People protesting!

Just few weeks back, an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale hit north-western Balochistan, it was reported that more than thousand homes were destroyed while 41 people died yet there was little help from the government and as usual the media did not highlight as it was expected from it. This has led to people in the small town of Mashkhel to protest by burning tires and raising slogans against the government’s non-serious attitude.

This is not the first time this has happened in fact every year a calamity, small or big hits Balochistan but we never come to know the exact damage. It has brought to my knowledge that Gwadar city still needs help with it’s infrastructure after it was badly affected in 2010 by cyclone ‘Phet’. Following are PWP’s article that were published in 2011 and 2012;

• Balochistan in trouble again
• Balochistan battered

It has been said that 20 years old year record of hailstorm has been broken in north-western areas of Balochistan, the storm caused the death of 5 people.

Troubled times!

Two strong thunderstorms on April 23

This is a weather blog but at the same time it is my sole responsibility to highlight the mayhem brought by nature  and during the two years experience I can say it confidently that weather disaster and related events of Balochistan are not much highlighted. The Media should show the misery of people in Gwadar and Kech district.

In the month of April, Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) made a total of eight articles;

1. Flood hits Balochistan – Media silent!
2. Lunar Eclipse to make its entrance tonight!
3. Another Earthquake hits Pakistan including Islamabad!
4. Earthquake hits Pakistan including Karachi!!
5. A Cyclone is coming to Pakistan this year!
6. Pakistan Weather Update (April 4 – April 18)
7. The Last Update – Beware of the Gushing Waters, Pakistan!
8. Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) – March 2013 in Review!

Article of the Month

A Cyclone is coming to Pakistan this year! - Biggest and most hyped article of PWP in 2013!

•  This article have been shared by Farjad Akmal from Karachi, Pakistan

Can u imagine a natural weather phenomena which occur on land can occur on sea !!!! Oh yes it can and it had and many countries like Australia and Canada had witnessed it on their coastal cities.But what is the name of that tornado ?

Water spout. What is a water spout ?

A waterspout is a column of cloud-filled wind rotating over a body of water.

Despite its name, a waterspout is not filled with water from the ocean or lake. A waterspout descends from a cumulus cloud. It does not “spout” from the water. The water inside a waterspout is formed by condensation in the cloud.

There are two major types of waterspouts: tornadic waterspouts and fair-weather waterspouts.

Tornadic waterspouts get their start as true tornadoes. Influenced by winds associated with severe thunderstorms, air rises and rotates on a vertical axis. Tornadic waterspouts are the most powerful and destructive type of waterspout.

Fair-weather waterspouts, however, are much more common. Fair-weather waterspouts are rarely dangerous. The clouds from which they descend are not fast-moving, so fair-weather waterspouts are often static. Fair-weather waterspouts are associated with developing storm systems, but not storms themselves.

They have struck in many countries.Lets take a look on history …

On May 1931 a water spout formed in bay of bengal and cause storm over the entire eastern and southern coast of India and Bangladesh

1969 May 27
Two people on Boca Grande Key, Florida, saw the funnel of a waterspout descending from the cloud and coming towards them. They held on to the concrete pillars of a shelter as the spout passed over. The shelter was uprooted with its concrete foundations and carried 60 feet. The two observers were dropped into trees and escaped injury.

1970 September 11
A waterspout in the Gulf of Venice near Santa Elena island lifted and sank a steam yacht. 36 of the 60 passengers lost their lives. The waterspout came ashore at Iésolo and destroyed a camp site. 11 people were killed and several hundred injured.

Can a water spout formed in arabian sea or hit Pakistan ? Chances are extremly low but an unusal event can take place anywhere and some theroy suggest that monsoon and trade windis can cause some disturbance and giving birth to a Water spout!!!
BUT ONLY ALLAH KNOWS BEST

Portal Interactive – Get Interactive now!

Views expressed on Portal Interactive does not represent the ideas of  Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP)

Send your weather articles, research, ideas, videos or pictures on babar.cyclone@yahoo.com Your article would be published on Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) with your name and city, without any changes. So you could also be the part of Portal Interactive!

“This is the first article related to the monsoon season of 2013 and it will be followed by many more articles”

‘Introduction to the Monsoon season’

Jama Mosque as monsoon clouds burst over New Delhi

Another monsoon season is coming to Pakistan this year as always, the giant winds are slowly taking shape to once again cover India and then move straight towards Pakistan. The word “monsoon” is derived from Arabic, Hindi and Urdu words of mawsim (موسم) meaning weather, there is also some indications the word is derived from Dutch word of monsun. The Englishmen used to use this word to define a seasonal prevailing wind in the region blowing from the south-west between May and September and bringing heavy rainfalls to British India.

How do Monsoon form?

All India rainfall 2011 issued by the IMD

Before the monsoon season, the land and oceans start to heat up with the consequence that the air over the land warms faster and reaches a higher temperature than the air over the ocean. The hot air over the land tends to rise, creating an area of low pressure. This creates a steady wind blowing toward the land, bringing the moist near-surface air over the oceans with it, thus monsoon season begins.

A monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversal of wind direction which is accompanied by changes in precipitation. In Asia, the monsoon season runs from May to September, when Southern Hemisphere winds shift direction and blow north and west across the Equator into Asia, bringing moisture from the oceans they pass over on the way.

Threat from Negative Indian Ocean Dipole

The El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have impact on the monsoon, it could be a negative or positive effect. In 2010, La Nina was one of the positive factors to have caused good monsoon across the Indian Subcontinent . La-Nina (late 2011 -2012) re-emerged late in November after one of the strongest La-Nina (2010- early 2011) in the weather history. Following are the conditions which could affect monsoon 2013;

• Neutral ENSO
• -IOD (Feared by the Japanese)

Before the strong La-Nina pattern, El-Nino (2009 – 2010) was dominating the world that transitional period between El-Nino and La-Nina was on the fastest in recent years in 2010. It was actually because of La-Nina that India and Pakistan saw a good monsoon in 2010 and 2011. In 2012 monsoon season, El-Nino conditions were developing but it was saved at the last moment by the Positive Indian Ocean Dipole. There is a strong possibility of -IOD developing in the month of July as the present conditions are favoring the negative development according to the Japanese Meteorologists.

El-Nino/La-Nina – South Oscillation

El-Nino and La-Nina in the month of June till September

Both these phenomena are famous for having irregularity, it is thought that they happen every 5 year respectively but this study is not supported by other scientist. Overall there are two types of this phenomena;

• El-Nino is a spanish word which means boy, it may also refer to a Christ child, because of the periodic warming in the Pacific near South America that happens around Christmas. It causes extreme weather (such as floods and droughts) in many regions of the world. It causes drought in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and many countries of the world, while it causes wet conditions and floods in other part of the world. It has a deep effect on the Indian monsoon. It forms due to the warming of Pacific Ocean thus the number of typhoons are increased in Pacific ocean while Atlantic ocean usually becomes calm due to intense wind shear. El-Nino is also said to increase malaria disease in India.

Strong El-Nino

• 1997
• 2009

• La-Nina is a spanish word which means girl. La-Nina is the complete opposite of El-Nino. It causes wet conditions and floods in the Sub-continent while drought and dry weather over other parts of the world. It happens due to the cooling of Pacific ocean.

Strong La-Nina

• 1988
• 2010

The transformation of El-Nino in 2009 into La-Nina in 2010 was the quickest in recent years. It is also worth mentioning that both of them were strongest in their respective years and such quick change is very rare.

What is Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)?

A positive Indian Ocean Dipole

Like ENSO, there are two types of Indian Ocean Dipoloe. IOD is an irregular phenomenon in which the western equatorial of the Indian Ocean becomes warmer while the eastern equatorial cooler. It affects the Sub continent, Australia, Indonesia and many other surrounding countries. There are two phases of Indian Ocean Dipole; 1. Positive IOD 2. Negative IOD

• Positive Indian Ocean Dipole (+IOD) causes sea temperatures to rise in the western Indian Ocean with heavy precipitation in Sub-continent while it makes the sea temperatures cooler in the eastern Indian Ocean with drought or very little to no precipitation in Australia and Indonesia.
• Negative Indian Ocean Dipole (-IOD) causes cooler sea temperatures in western Indian Ocean with no rainfall in the Sub-continent while eastern Indian Ocean becomes warmer with heavy precipitation in Australia and Indonesia.

TO BE CONTINUED…….