January 2024 witnesses below average rain

LAHORE : Pakistan has witnessed a snowless and extremely below average (-72%) rain during the first month of the year 2024.

Data collected from Met office revealed that the national area-weighted rainfall was only 5.4mm for the month of January 2024, which was excessively below average (-72%). Most of January was snowless; however, only few light rain and snow have occurred during last days of the month. Met office data showed that the January’s rainfall contribution to the national annual total and winter was 6.4% and 25.5% respectively. During the month, Pakistan experienced only 1-2 light rainfall spells.

The situation was similar on regional scale too as Punjab recorded only 1.60mm (-90%) rainfall and stands as the 7th driest January (record is 0.0 mm in 1963, 1966 & 1967), the GB witnessed 0.50mm (-97%) and stood 8th driest January in past 64 years (record 0.0 mm in 1963 & 1966). Similarly, Sindh witnessed 0.60mm (-80%) rainfall, AJK witnessed 14.90mm (-77%), KP witnessed 11.20mm (-74%) and Balochistan witnessed 8.10mm (-55%), the data revealed. The wettest day of the month in the country was 29th January when Dir (KP) recorded 45.0mm of rainfall. The Met office report said January 2024 was warmer than average in most parts of the country.

The other mentionable rainfalls were recorded at Pattan 45.0 mm, Muzaffarabad City 44.3mm, Muzaffarabad Airport 40.6mm, Parachinar 35.0mm, Rawalakot 32.5mm, Quetta (Samungli) 31.0mm, Ormara 30.0mm and Garhi Dupatta 28.0mm while the stations of Kot Addu, Noorpur Thal, Bunji, Chilas, Gilgit, Hunza, D. I. Khan (Airport), Badin, Chhor, Hyderabad, Mithi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Rohri, Sukkur, Mohen-Jo-Daro, Mirpur Khas, Tando Jam, Sakrand, Zhob, Faisal Base and Masroor Base remained absolutely dry with no rain during the month and the stations of Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Faisalabad Airport, Jhang, Kasur, Lahore, Layyah, Mianwali, Multan, Okara, Sahiwal, Shorkot, Sargodha, Khanewal, Skardu, Bannu, D. I. Khan (City), Dadu, Nokkundi and Sibbi recorded only traces of rainfall during the month.

So was the case in most of the regions as GB witnessed 3.32°C (+2.48°C) and Balochistan witnessed 14.03°C (+2.45°C). The AJK witnessed 6.35°C (+1.54°C) and stood 7th warmest January (record is 7.14°C in 2010) and KP witnessed 8.39°C (+0.39°C) too exhibited warmer than average.

However, a record-breaking contrast has been observed in the regions as the GB with 11.21°C (+5.07°C) stands with highest mean maximum temperature (record was 10.54°C in 2003). The hottest day of the month was observed at Turbat (Balochistan) when it recorded 32.5°C on 17 January.

Tuesday’s minimum temperature was recorded at Kalam and Leh where mercury dropped to -14°C while in Lahore it was 6.4°C and maximum was 20°C.