In Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, there is a
tropical desert climate, with a pleasantly warm winter from December to February and a partial, intermittent influence of the Indian monsoon from July to September.
The city is located in southern Pakistan, on the coast of the Arabian Sea, at 25 degrees north latitude.
Although located on the coast, the city is
polluted, especially in winter, when the winds are weak or blow from the interior. Instead, from June to September, the pollution is lower because the wind comes from the sea.
In winter and spring, from December to April, the weather is generally good, but occasionally a disturbance can pass, which can bring some
rain. Also, from November to February, sometimes a bit of
fog can form at night and in the early morning.
From December to February, nights are cool, and can sometimes be cold when cold air comes from the north.
On the other hand, all year round, the temperature can rise when the winds blow from the interior, and in these cases, it can reach or exceed 30 °C (86 °F) even in the coolest months, December and January.
Especially from April to June, before the monsoon, there can be
heat waves, in which the temperature can reach or exceed 40 °C (104 °F). In the worst moments the temperature can reach 45 °C (113 °F).
From July to September, the
monsoon period, the rains are rare, but at times they can be intense, giving rise to floods. During these months, a moderate breeze from the sea often blows, which tempers the heat, although the humidity of the air increases, but when the wind from the sea stops, there can be heat waves during this period as well.
Being in the south and on the coast, Karachi is exposed to the risk of
tropical cyclones, which can bring strong winds as well as abundant rains outside the monsoon period. Cyclones form from May to November, and are more frequent and intense at the beginning of the period (mid-May-early June) and less at the end (October), while from July to September, when the monsoon is at the height of activity in India, they generally do not occur. In November, they typically affect the southern part of India and the Arabian Peninsula, but do not reach Pakistan. Particularly intense cyclones hit Pakistan in May 1999 and in June 2010 (the latter was called cyclone Phet).
Best Time
The
best time to visit Karachi is winter, from December to February, being the mildest within the dry season. It must be said that this is the time of the year when pollution is highest.
Karachi - Climate data
The
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F), that of the warmest month (June) is of 32.1 °C (89.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Karachi - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
---|
January | 12.1 | 26.1 | 19.1 | 54 | 79 | 66.4 |
---|
February | 14.9 | 28.6 | 21.8 | 59 | 84 | 71.2 |
---|
March | 19.5 | 32.4 | 25.9 | 67 | 90 | 78.7 |
---|
April | 23.9 | 35.1 | 29.5 | 75 | 95 | 85.1 |
---|
May | 27.2 | 35.8 | 31.5 | 81 | 96 | 88.7 |
---|
June | 28.7 | 35.5 | 32.1 | 84 | 96 | 89.8 |
---|
July | 28 | 33.7 | 30.8 | 82 | 93 | 87.5 |
---|
August | 26.9 | 32.4 | 29.6 | 80 | 90 | 85.4 |
---|
September | 26.2 | 33.5 | 29.9 | 79 | 92 | 85.8 |
---|
October | 23.2 | 35.4 | 29.3 | 74 | 96 | 84.7 |
---|
November | 17.6 | 32.2 | 24.9 | 64 | 90 | 76.8 |
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December | 13.5 | 28 | 20.8 | 56 | 82 | 69.4 |
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Year | 21.8 | 32.4 | 27.05 | 71.3 | 90.3 | 80.5 |
---|
Precipitation amounts to 205 millimeters (8.1 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest month (May) to 80 mm (3.1 in) in the wettest one (July). Here is the average precipitation.
Karachi - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 5 | 0.2 | 0 |
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February | 8 | 0.3 | 1 |
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March | 10 | 0.4 | 0 |
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April | 5 | 0.2 | 0 |
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May | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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June | 7 | 0.3 | 1 |
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July | 80 | 3.1 | 3 |
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August | 55 | 2.2 | 2 |
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September | 20 | 0.8 | 1 |
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October | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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November | 2 | 0.1 | 0 |
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December | 6 | 0.2 | 1 |
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Year | 205 | 8.1 | 9 |
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The
sea temperature ranges from 23.5 °C (74 °F) in January, February to 29.5 °C (85 °F) in June. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Karachi - Sea temperatureMonth | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
---|
January | 23.5 | 74 | February | 23.5 | 74 | March | 24.5 | 76 | April | 26.5 | 80 | May | 28.5 | 83 | June | 29.5 | 85 | July | 29 | 84 | August | 28 | 82 | September | 28 | 82 | October | 28 | 82 | November | 27 | 81 | December | 25 | 77 | Year | 26.7 | 80.1 |
There are on average around 2950
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Karachi - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
---|
January | 8.5 | 270 | February | 9 | 250 | March | 9 | 270 | April | 9 | 275 | May | 9.5 | 300 | June | 7.5 | 230 | July | 5 | 155 | August | 5 | 150 | September | 7.5 | 220 | October | 9 | 285 | November | 9 | 275 | December | 9 | 270 | Year | 8.1 | 2950 |
Karachi - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.1 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (78.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) in January 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 32.3 °C (90.1 °F) in January 1991.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
February is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.8 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.6 °C (83.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in February 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in February 1993.
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
March is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.9 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) in March 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in March 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
April is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75 °F) and a maximum of 35.1 °C (95.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in April 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40.5 °C (105 °F). However, it reached 43.4 °C (110.1 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
May is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 31.5 °C (89 °F), with a minimum of 27.2 °C (81 °F) and a maximum of 35.8 °C (96.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21 °C (69.8 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41 °C (106 °F). However, it reached 45 °C (113 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
June, the hottest month of the year, is generally a scorchingly hot month. The average temperature is of 32.1 °C (90 °F), with a minimum of 28.7 °C (83.6 °F) and a maximum of 35.5 °C (96 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it dropped to 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in June 2010.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 41 °C (105.5 °F). However, it reached 46 °C (114.8 °F) in June 2000.
Precipitation amounts to only 7 mm (0.3 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
July is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 30.8 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 28 °C (82.4 °F) and a maximum of 33.7 °C (92.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it dropped to 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in July 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.6 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it dropped to 23 °C (73.4 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
September is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 29.9 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 42.1 °C (107.8 °F) in September 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
October is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 29.3 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F) and a maximum of 35.4 °C (95.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in October 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F). However, it reached 42 °C (107.6 °F) in October 1998.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
November is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.2 °C (89.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.9 °C (48 °F) in November 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in November 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (80.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
December is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in December 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 35.5 °C (95.9 °F) in December 2011.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.