November 2024 made history as Pakistan’s hottest November, with temperatures averaging 2.89°C above normal, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). This alarming rise highlights the escalating effects of climate change on the region. The hottest November in Pakistan ever recorded, this event marks a significant shift in the country’s weather patterns.
Record-Breaking Heat
The national average temperature for November reached 20.75°C, surpassing the previous record of 19.87°C set in 2011. This is a sharp contrast to the usual November average of 17.87°C over the past 64 years.
- Daytime Highs: Maximum temperatures averaged 28.05°C, slightly lower than the 2007 record of 28.09°C but still 2.13°C above normal.
- Nighttime Lows: Minimum temperatures averaged 13.40°C, breaking the 2011 record of 12.22°C. This marked a +4.07°C increase over the average nighttime temperature of 9.33°C.
Extreme Weather Events
- Hottest Day: Turbat, Balochistan, reached a scorching 41.0°C on November 3.
- Warmest Location: Mithi, Sindh, recorded the highest average maximum temperature of 35.5°C for the month.
- Coldest Night: Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, dipped to -6.6°C on November 28.
- Coolest Spot: Skardu also had the lowest average minimum temperature, at -0.9°C.
Rainfall Statistics
- Pakistan received 5.6mm of rainfall in November, which was close to the national average, with a slight +8% anomaly.
- Heaviest Single-Day Rainfall: Khuzdar, Balochistan, recorded 54.3mm on November 30.
- Wettest Location: Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, received the most rainfall, totaling 110.0mm for the month.
Global Weather Patterns at Play
Climate anomalies in Pakistan stem from broader global weather patterns:
- El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO): A shift toward La Niña continued, with sea surface temperatures in the central equatorial Pacific falling to -0.6°C, signaling further cooling.
- Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): The IOD remained in its negative phase, influencing regional climate conditions.
Implications for Pakistan
This record-breaking heat serves as a stark reminder of the growing effects of climate change on Pakistan’s weather. To address these shifts, urgent action is necessary both locally and globally, to mitigate climate change impacts and adapt to the increasingly unpredictable environment.
