Pakistan Climate Lecture Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions of weather, climate, Pakistan's climatic zones, rainfall categories, temperature classifications, and the four major factors affecting temperature in Pakistan.

Weather

Short-term, daily atmospheric conditions such as sunny, rainy, or cloudy that vary day-to-day.

Climate

The average atmospheric conditions of a place, including temperature and rainfall, typically observed over a long period of at least 30 years.

Highland Climate

A climatic zone covering the North of Pakistan and the Western Mountains, characterized by cold winters and mild summers.

Lowland Climate

A climatic zone covering the Indus Plain, including the Punjab and Sindh regions, featuring mild winters and warm summers.

Coastal Climate

A climatic zone that covers the Sindh Coast and Makran Coast regions.

Arid Climate Zone

A zone covering the South-East (Thar Desert) and the South-West (Kharan Desert) parts of Pakistan.

Humid

Areas that receive more than $750\,mm$ of annual rainfall.

Semi-Arid

Areas that receive between $250\,mm$ and $750\,mm$ of annual rainfall.

Arid (Rainfall Definition)

Areas that receive less than $250\,mm$ of rainfall annually.

Very Hot

A temperature classification for conditions at $40^{\circ}\text{C}$ and above.

Hot

A temperature classification for conditions ranging from $31^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $39^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Warm

A temperature classification for conditions ranging from $21^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $30^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Mild

A temperature classification for conditions ranging from $10^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $20^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Cool

A temperature classification for conditions ranging from $3^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $9^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Cold

A temperature classification for conditions ranging from $-5^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $2^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Very Cold

A temperature classification for conditions below $-5^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Insulation

The process occurring during the day where the land or sea absorbs heat from the sun.

Sea Breeze

A daytime phenomenon where wind blows from the sea (high pressure) to the land (low pressure) because land heats up faster.

Land Breeze

A nighttime phenomenon where wind blows from the land (high pressure) to the sea (low pressure) because land cools down faster.

Altitude Temperature Factor

The principle that temperature decreases by $6.5^{\circ}\text{C}$ for every $1000\,m$ increase in altitude because thinner air absorbs less heat.

Cloud Cover (Daytime Effect)

Reduces temperature during the day as clouds reflect solar rays away from the land.

Cloud Cover (Nighttime Effect)

Increases temperature at night by trapping the heat extracted from the land within the atmosphere.

Latitude/Angle of the Sun Factor

The relationship where lower latitudes receive more direct sun rays (hotter), while higher latitudes (slanted angles) receive less intense heat due to longer distances.