Rawalpindi features a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa) with hot summers and cool to cold winters. Its climate is classified as very similar to that of its twin city, Islamabad, but the geographical location and extreme urbanization of Rawalpindi have led to weather and climatic conditions that are notably different from its twin. Rawalpindi's weather has historically been known to change rather quickly due to its proximity to the Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. These mountains not only influence the weather of the city, but also provide great recreation during the hot months. Furthermore, Its warm comfortable mean annual temperature of attracts people to live here permanently from all over Pakistan. The average annual rainfall is abundant at , most of which falls in the monsoon season. However, frontal cloud bands also bring significant rainfall in the winter. In summers, June is the hottest with record maximum temperature at a blistering recorded on 13 June 1953. Islamabad (During 1931-2006) On the other hand, January is the coldest month of the year when temperature can drop to a minimum in the winter recorded on 17 January 1967. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Rawalpindi was on 10 February 1950, during a rare snowfall event in the city.British Newspaper Archive, "Snowfall in Rawalpindi and Sialkot," 11 February 1950. Throughout the year, Rawalpindi and Islamabad experience an average of about 98 thunderstorms, which is the highest frequency of thunderstorms in Punjab province of any plane station. In fact, most rainfall in the city is accompanied by a thunderstorm with peak activity experienced in August. Record rainfall was experienced in the year 2013 at a massive mostly due to an unusually wet monsoon season. On a typical day, the city hosts breezy afternoons(+), but usually calm to light breeze (Beaufort scale) wind conditions are observed after midnight. The mean annual wind speed of Rawalpindi is roughly at 14 m height. Moreover, just a few kilometers southwest of Rawalpindi, the potential power generation has been identified by U.S. Aid to be between marginal to good ( to ) at 50 m height.
Prevailing conditions Western Disturbance, Monsoon and localized convection currents during the summers are responsible for changing weather conditions in Rawalpindi. Following is a list and conditions provided for the change in weather conditions.
Western Disturbances occur almost every month in the city, but peaks during the winter months. Not only do these disturbances decrease day and night temperatures, but provides the city with rainfall during its dry months. However, by the time these winds reach Rawalpindi, these westerly waves are quite weak in intensity resulting in only light to moderate amounts of rainfall. Heavy rainfall from these disturbances are rare. Nonetheless, February 2013 experienced record rains accumulating to Monsoon result in the greatest amount of rainfall in the city and reduces the excruciating heat of the relatively dry early summer months. During late June, July, August, and early September with every out easterly winds with the intensity of fresh breeze bring along the monsoon clouds and push them against the mighty Himalayas. Most often, significant rainfall in Rawalpindi doesn't occur until these moisture laden air interact with western disturbances, producing powerful supercell thunderstorms accompanied with heavy winds, lightning and heavy to very heavy rainfall. Furthermore, these storms can last from 20 minutes to several hours in duration. The highest dew point is experienced during this time of the year with extremely high heat indices. Dust storms occur most frequently during the dry heat of May and June, but may well also be occur during the months of late March and April. Dust storms in Rawalpindi are most often accompanied by thunderstorms producing squalls and lightning. Visibilities drop below 100 meters in extreme cases with wind speeds surpass a fierce .Weather History for Islamabad, Pakistan | Weather Underground Rainfall from these storms is generally low to moderate. Continental Air prevails during the dry periods of the year with ample sunshine and partly cloudy to clear skies. As high pressure is established atmosphere becomes stable result in no precipitation until a western disturbance intervenes. Strong breeze from westerly direction blow during the day, while nights are calm during this time.Weather History for Islamabad, Pakistan | Weather Underground
Thunderstorms Rawalpindi experiences one of the greatest number of thunderstorms in Pakistan. At a frequency of 89.45 thunderstorms per year on average, which is quite high, these numbers are comparable to those of Florida, USA.Thunderstorms - Florida Climate Center Some of the strongest thunderstorms in the country occur here either accompanied by dusty squalls, microbursts, cloudburst and sometimes even funnel clouds. Its location allows it to experience the maximum wind speed of the storm relative to its twin city Islamabad. On 13 October 2006, wind gusts from a powerful thunderstorm reported by Pakistan Meteorological Department to have reached .Weather History for Islamabad, Pakistan | Weather Underground The strongest wind gust during this storm was reported to be 95 knots or , which is the highest recorded wind speed in Rawalpindi/Islamabad region and adjoining areas. As a matter of fact, a funnel cloud was also observed during this storm near Chaklala, Rawalpindi. Tornadoes are rare, but have been reported thrice in the past decade in 2006 and 2012, 2014. The biggest challenge that arises due to these dangerous conditions include fallen trees, downed power lines, and damage to infrastructure including mud houses in the slums and billboards around the city.
Monthly conditions
Every month in Rawalpindi is marked by its own unique characteristics, conditions and weather pattern. Following is also a summary of each month's averages and records.
January January is the coldest month in Rawalpindi with an average low of and a record low of recorded in 1967.QUETTA Most days are clear blue skies, however this month is prone to foggy nights and mornings. Near zero visibility is experienced during extremely foggy nights that absolutely hampers air traffic and motorways. Western Disturbance brings cloudy days, rain and sometimes thunderstorms, which are essential for breaking long dry spells in the city experienced during this cool month. Moreover, it eliminates the conditions suitable for the formation of fog at night. Average rainfall for the month sums up to and a record rainfall of recorded in 1954. However, strong thunder/windstorm is uncommon during this month. The average high is while a record high of was recorded on 30 January 1995. Strong winds blow from the west during most clear days, but nights are calm with cool to cold temperatures. Snowfall is not uncommon in the margallahill as it happens after every few years or after a gap of 8 to 10 years. Rawalpindi has experienced significant snowfall events on rare occasions. One such notable instance was in 1929, followed by another 35 years later in January 1964. Rawalpindi saw snow again on February 20, 1984. The gap of 35 years between the 1929 and 1964 events highlights the infrequency of snowfall in the region. The 1929 snowfall was particularly remarkable, Peshawar also received substantial snowfall, a rare occurrence for the city. The temperature dropped to -4.2 °C during this event.da
February February experiences similar weather to January except that usually it is a few degrees warmer. Most nights are cool and days are warm with an average low and high of and , respectively. Overcast for several days is not uncommon during this month with the least amount of sunshine experienced during this month. A record high of recorded on 28 February 1985, while the coldest on 8 February 1978 have been recorded. Average rainfall is relatively greater than January totaling to . In 2013, record rainfall of and a thunderstorms breakout was experienced from three western disturbances that caused bizarre conditions of frequent hailstorms and wind gusts.Weather History for Islamabad, Pakistan | Weather Underground Moreover, hailstorms with thunderstorms are not a rare occurrence in this cool time of the year. Observations demonstrate that cold weather (below zero temperature) is not experienced after halfway through the month as plantation season officially begins during the last fortnight.
March March has a splendid spring time feel in Rawalpindi with perfect warm temperatures of during the day and cool crispy night temperatures averaging to . A freak heat wave was experienced in Rawalpindi with maximum temperature reaching on 20 March 2010, breaking the old record of recorded exactly on the same day in 2002. An extreme minimum of was recorded 17 March 1967. As spring season begins to settle, rainfall also increases from Western Disturbances accumulating to . 2015 set a record rainfall of a massive . A few strong thunderstorms develop every year during this month and sometimes these can accompanied by dust storms and gusts near hurricane force at . Hailstorms are both greater in frequency and intensity during March and weather can quickly change during the day.
April April in Rawalpindi transitions from warm to hot during day time, while night temperatures begin to move from cool to warm. Typically, late April sees a sharp rise in both the day and night time temperatures. Mean high during day time is , while nights enjoy a mean of . Record high for April is a very hot recorded on 29 April 2006, on the other hand, a chilly low of on 7 April 1994 have been witnessed. Western Disturbance is responsible for localized rainfall during this month, but typically these systems are not as strong as during March since rainfall totals . Moreover, thunderstorms often cause horrid dust storms that become a frequent occurrence as the weather becomes drier, transitioning into summer. An average 1.0 dust storms are experienced in Rawalpindi (Average 1961-1991). On the other hand, record rainfall of was recorded in 1983. One such thunderstorm was blamed for the disaster of Bhoja Air jet, flight BHO-213 when a lightning strike or wind shear was blamed for the tragedy.BBC News - Pakistan plane crashes near Islamabad airport A full report has yet to be released to the public. Heavy rain showers are rare during this month as dust storms frequently only cause drizzle or light scattered rain that makes the weather pleasant.
May As May begins day time temperatures begin to rise and the day and night time temperature range is high during this time. It is categorized as a hot dry month with a record maximum of experienced on 31 May 1988. Furthermore, during the record breaking heat wave of 2013 in Pakistan, near record temperature of was recorded on 24 May 2013. This heat wave witnessed an average high of , which is 2.5 degrees higher than its average high of . Average minimum stands at with record low of experienced on 9 May 1997. Nevertheless, night time temperatures during heat waves could remain well above average with the warmest low of recorded in 2013. Mid-May and June typically are the dry heat season. Thunderstorms that occur are typically strong, accompany heavy dust with blinding visibility and wind speed in excess of in some storms. These storms truly testify as "Kali Andhi", a common phrase used by the locals as they witness an average of 1.6 dust storms per year (average 1961-1991). Most storms occur during night time that brings relief from the relentless heat of the day. Rainfall however is scanty as the mean is only , while 1965 was the wettest May at . Wind speeds during this month are the second highest averaging to more than .
June