*Sudden hailstorm in Islamabad attributed to seasonal shift
*Mercury to Soar Past 40°C in Karachi Amid Heatwave Alert
Islamabad/Karachi (Daily Pakistan) — Senior Meteorologist Anjum Nazir Zaigham has shed light on the recent rare hailstorm that struck parts of Islamabad, attributing it to an extreme temperature contrast brought on by seasonal transition and amplified by ongoing climate change.
In an exclusive interview with senior anchorperson Farrukh Shahbaz Warraich during “Jawab Do” show on Aik News, Zaigham explained that the capital experienced an intense hail event primarily in areas near the Margalla Hills — including sectors D and E — due to a dramatic clash between hot ground temperatures (36°C) and freezing upper-atmosphere air at -20°C around 10,000 feet. This sudden collision of temperatures triggered the formation of large hailstones.
“This kind of weather is typical during seasonal transitions — when we shift from winter to summer — but its intensity is increasing. Events like this are becoming more frequent due to global climate change,” Zaigham stated.
While Islamabad received between 10 to 14 mm of rain and winds reaching up to 63 km/h, other parts of the country saw different extremes. Lahore was hit by a fierce dust storm with wind speeds of up to 93 km/h.
Meanwhile, Karachi faces its own weather challenge. A heatwave alert has been issued for the port city from Sunday to Wednesday, with temperatures expected to cross 40°C. The absence of the sea breeze — Karachi’s natural cooling system — will allow dry, hot northwesterly winds to dominate, increasing the heat intensity.
“The good news is that humidity levels will remain low, so the ‘feels-like’ temperature will stay close to the actual reading,” said Zaigham. He added that across southern Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, today marks the final day of the current heatwave, with a western system expected to lower temperatures by 2 to 4°C for the next 5–6 days.
However, a break in weather systems could lead to another spike in temperatures across central and southern Pakistan after April 22.
Zaigham warned that these unusual and intensified weather events are becoming more frequent due to the ongoing climate crisis, urging authorities and the public to remain alert and prepared.
