ISLAMABAD: With the mercury level breaking the highest record for the month of March this year, the changing weather pattern is becoming a ‘new normal’ and like many areas of the country, even globally, the residents of Islamabad are worried at the loss of the shortl-ived spring season.

The daytime temperatures in Islamabad crossed the highest ever level in March recently for two consecutive days. Earlier, the highest daytime temperatures in Islamabad for the month were recorded at 34.5 degrees Centigrade on March 21, 2010 whereas on March 16 and 17 this year the mercury touched 35 and 35.6 degrees, respectively.

Traditionally, March has been considered as one of the most pleasant months in Islamabad but this year it was unusually similar to summer. Currently, the days are very warm and the temperature during nights is also not very cool. The average daytime temperature was already 2.6 degrees higher than the normal with almost two weeks to follow.

Similarly, the nighttime temperature was higher than normal this year, showing an increase of almost 3pc and the minimum temperature used to drop to as low as 3 degrees during March but this year the lowest temperature was 5.7 degrees and the mercury remained below 10 degrees for only five days during nighttime.

The coming days are expected to be warmer.

The Met Office had predicted that the daytime temperature will be up to 8 degrees above normal in Islamabad and few other areas of the country, including upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2022