Climate of Quetta

The monthly breakup of the weather in Quetta is as follows:

January is the coldest month in Quetta, and Western Disturbance causes rainfall with occasional snowfall in the city. The highest temperature on record {{convert|23.6|C|F}} on 28 January 1987; and the lowest temperature is {{convert|-18.3|C|F}}, recorded on 8 January 1970. The highest monthly rainfall recorded was {{convert|178|mm|in}} in 1982; while the most rain in a 24-hours period was {{convert|69|mm|in}} on 30 January 1982.

January is the most probable month for snow. Western disturbances are at the peak of their season, and the combination of wintriness makes this month most suitable for the season's heavy snow. All the decades of this month are crucial for the snow to fall. During the past years, the city have seen some record snowfalls during this month. On 14 and 15 January 2017 Quetta received heaviest snow of last 10 years with 2 feet of snow recorded in some areas.

The weather in February is somewhat similar to that of January: generally cold, with Western Disturbance causing rains and snowfall. The highest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|26.6|C|F}} on 16 February 2002, and lowest temperature was {{convert|−16.7|C|F}} on 1 February 1970. While the highest monthly rainfall is {{convert|189.2|mm|in}} in 1982; The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours was {{convert|54|mm|in}} on 17 February 2003.

On 28 February 2011 heavy hailstorms lashed the valley followed by heavy rainfall.{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/125567/hailstorm-rain-life-disrupted-in-many-areas-of-balochistan/ |title=Heavy Hailstorms lashed Quetta City |newspaper=The Express Tribune |access-date=3 March 2011}}

A total of {{convert|126|mm|in}} of rainfall was recorded during February 2011, which is the third-highest rain in February after the record {{convert|189.2|mm|in}} of rain in 1982 and {{convert|141|mm|in}} in 2003.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/rainfallfeb11.htm |title=Rainfall Statement for the Month of February, 2011 |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=3 March 2011}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.onepakistan.com/news/local/quetta/88543-heavy-rain-hails-lash-quetta-valley.html |title=Heavy rains lashed Quetta City |website=onepakistan.com |access-date=3 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715002200/http://www.onepakistan.com/news/local/quetta/88543-heavy-rain-hails-lash-quetta-valley.html |archive-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}

The probability of falling snow in this month is high; every year the city receives light to moderate snow during the month mostly during the first two decades of the month; however, there are chances of snow even in the last decade of the month.

March is the wettest month of the city, and remains cool, but towards the end of the month becomes warmer. Western Disturbances continues to affect the weather, producing hailstorms and causing rains with strong winds, and the chances of snowfall on the mountains around the city, and occasional chances of snowfall in the city mostly during the first three decades of the month. The likelihood of thunderstorms is very high during the month, with the possibility of some incredible thunders in the city followed by heavy downpour.

On 8 March 2007 light snowfall occurred in the city. The highest temperature for the month of March was {{convert|32.5|C|F}} on 31 March 2018, while the lowest was {{convert|-8.3|C|F}} on 12 March 1973. The highest monthly rainfall recorded was {{convert|232.4|mm|in}} in 1982; the heaviest rain in a 24-hour period was {{convert|75|mm|in}} on 31 March 1985.

A western wave entered Balochistan on 2 March 2019 which caused flash flooding in the province including Quetta the city which received 137 mm of rain along with snowfall recorded 4 cm.

On 1 March 2024 A Clod Front With Western Disturbance Continue to effect over Quetta cause 9mm of rain along with light snowfall from 2 March night till 3 March Night Temperature Drop to -5.2 recorded on Personal Weather Station In Eastern Bypass Area..

Thunderstorms persist during the first decade of the month, and continue intermittently during the second and third decades. The weather in April is similar to the weather of March. The highest temperature recorded was {{convert|35|C|F}} on 27 April 1979, and lowest temperature was {{convert|-3.9|C|F}} on 2 April 1965. The highest monthly rainfall was {{convert|158.7|mm|in}} in 1992. the heaviest rainfall in a 24-hour period was {{convert|49|mm|in}} on 12 April 1983.

In April 2011, Quetta saw two major wet spells, the first one commenced from 7 to 12 April, while the second one started from 14 to 17 April intermittently. During the period, the city was battered by heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/latest%20news/Latest%20News.html |title=Torrential Rainfall in Quetta |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=7 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902112830/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/latest%20news/Latest%20News.html |archive-date=2 September 2010}} On 16 April, lightning killed one person and injured three persons near Pashtoon street in Brawrey.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dunyanews.tv/index.php?key=Q2F0SUQ9OCNOaWQ9MjQwNjc= |title=Lightning killed one person |website=Dunya News |access-date=7 May 2011}} In April 2011, Quetta received {{convert|42|mm|in}} of rain, which is highest monthly rainfall in April since 2000.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/rainfall_data.htm |title=Rainfall data of March 2011 |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=7 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826034334/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/rainfall_data.htm |archive-date=26 August 2010}}

In 2024, strong western disturbances continued to affect North Balochistan including Quetta which lead to a new highest monthly rainfall record of 188.6mm.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

A western Disturbance Cause Rains Along With Hails From 12 To 15 April And Lead to New 24 Hours High Rain Record of 59.2mm on 14/04/2024 on PWS in Eastern Bypass Quetta

In May, the weather becomes hotter. The highest temperature was {{convert|39.4|C|F}} on 11 May 2000, and the lowest was {{convert|−0.3|C|F}} on 3 May 1989. Humidity levels decline as compared to other months. The highest monthly rainfall recorded was {{convert|39.9|mm|in}} in 1963; and the heaviest rainfall recorded in a 24-hour period was {{convert|28|mm|in}} on 25 May 2003. On 2 May 2005, a storm covered the entire city with a blanket of dust that lasted for many days.{{Cite web|url=http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?103854 |title=Dust storm lash Quetta |website=paktribune.com |access-date=26 September 2010}}

In June, temperatures continue to increase. Temperatures can reach {{convert|40|C|F}}, with the highest on record at {{convert|41.5|C|F}} on 4 June 2005, and on four other occasions. The lowest temperature was {{convert|6|C|F}} on 14 June 1979.

In 2007, Cyclone Yemyin hit the coastal areas of Balochistan, and caused rains in most parts of the province, including Quetta{{Cite web|url=http://www.gwadarnews.com/newsdetail.asp?newsID=1042 |title=Torrential Rains in Balochistan |website=Gwadar News |access-date=9 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711135626/http://www.gwadarnews.com/newsdetail.asp?newsID=1042 |archive-date=11 July 2011}} producing a record breaking {{convert|61|mm|in}} of rain between 22 June to 30. The heaviest rainfall in a 24-hour period of {{convert|20|mm|in}} was recorded on 29 June 2007.

On 27 June 2016 a cloudburst occurred in the afternoon. As a result of this cloudburst 50 mm (Quetta Samungli) rain fell in one and a half-hour with big size hail stones, while 8 mm was recorded at Quetta (Sheikh Manda).

July is the hottest month in Quetta. Since Quetta lies partially outside the belt of the monsoon, the effect thereof is seldom visible in the city. However, sometimes if monsoon gets strong enough, then Quetta can also have some rains. The highest temperature recorded in the month was {{convert|46|C|F}} in July 2014, while the lowest temperature was {{convert|10.6|C|F}} on 11 July 1977. and the highest rainfall for this month is {{convert|121.8|mm|in}} in 1978;

On 14 July 2006 a severe dust storm hit the Quetta valley for three consecutive days, reducing visibility to less than a kilometer.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/14/nat3.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070730041704/http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/14/nat3.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 July 2007 |title=PIA cancels Quetta flights |newspaper=Dawn |access-date=26 September 2010}} Again on 23 July 2007, another dust storm enveloped the city and its surroundings, reducing visibility to less than a kilometer but also affected both air and vehicle traffic.{{Cite web|url=http://www.historyofpia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9390&start=0 |title=Quetta flights cancelled due to bad weather |website=History of PIA |access-date=26 September 2010}}

August is also a hot month in Quetta, with a highest temperature recorded of {{convert|40.6|C|F}} on 9 August 1970; conversely the lowest temperature was {{convert|3.9|C|F}} on 29 August 1972. The heaviest monthly rainfall recorded was {{convert|283.1|mm|in}} in 2022, when it continuously rained heavily for 30 hours on 25 and 26 of the month cutting off the city from the rest of the country, the whole city went into total blackout and was left in the rain without proper gas supply. The heavy rainfall resulted in major flooding taking down with it multiple lives and their precious homes and livestock. The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours was {{convert|102|mm|in}} on 3 August 1983. On 6 August 2013 a severe rain storm with heavy downpour lash Quetta city, consequently at least two people died while several houses damaged in Nawan Kali area of the city, dozens of mud houses were destroyed in the rain while several trees and signboards were uprooted. Moreover, at least five people, including three kids, sustained injuries when roof of a house collapsed. City roads were submerged under rain water caused severe traffic jams. Meanwhile, 220 kV transmission line tripped due to heavy rain and storm, disrupting electricity to 17 districts of the province including Quetta.{{cite web |url=http://www.urduwire.com/en/news/two-killed-several-houses-destroyed-after-rain-in-quetta_nid959719.aspx |title=Two killed, several houses destroyed after rain in Quetta | SamaaTV | Latest News |access-date=8 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130808120503/http://www.urduwire.com/en/news/two-killed-several-houses-destroyed-after-rain-in-quetta_nid959719.aspx |website=urduwire.com |archive-date=8 August 2013}} According to Pakistan Meteorological Department {{convert|12|mm|in}} of rainfall was recorded during one and half-hour rainfall.{{cite web |url=http://www.pmd.gov.pk/FFD/index_files/daily/rainfallaug13.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818014709/http://www.pmd.gov.pk/FFD/index_files/daily/rainfallaug13.htm |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |archive-date=18 August 2013}}

In September, the weather remains hot, but gets cooler towards the last week of the month. It is one of the driest months in the city. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|39.3|C|F}} on 16 September 2016, and lowest was {{convert|−0.6|C|F}} on 30 September 1962. with the heaviest rainfall for a 24-hour period standing at {{convert|28|mm|in}} on 5 September 1994. On 8 September 2008, a dust storm covered the entire city, and lasted for many days.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/08-Sep-2008/pia-cancels-all-flights-to-and-from-quetta |title=Dusty weather and poor visibility in Quetta |work=The Nation |access-date=26 September 2010}}

In 2011, a spell of monsoon rains produced widespread heavy rains in Sindh and northeastern parts of Balochistan. The weather system produced unusual record breaking rains in Quetta that broke the record for highest monthly rainfall of {{convert|62|mm|in}}, recorded in 1994. On 3 September, {{convert|33|mm|in}} rain was recorded again on 5 September, {{convert|45|mm|in}} of rain was recorded.

In September 2011, {{convert|85|mm|in}} of rain was recorded.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/daily/rainfall.htm |title=Rainfall statement for the month of September, 2011 |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=6 September 2011}}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/met.gov/media/WR-media-E.html |title=Daily Weather press release September , 2011 |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=6 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823084354/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/met.gov/media/WR-media-E.html |archive-date=23 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}

October is the driest month in the city, with a record highest monthly rainfall of {{convert|68.8|mm|in}} in 1982; and a 24-hour record of {{convert|30|mm|in}} on 19 October 1982. The highest and lowest temperatures are {{convert|34|C|F}} on 1 October 1998 and {{convert|-6.7|C|F}} on 27 October 1964, respectively. In October 2011 the city received its second highest rainfall of {{convert|31.1|mm|in}}.

Winter begins in November, as the Western Disturbance returns with rain and possibly snow over the mountains. The highest and lowest temperatures recorded for the month were {{convert|36|C|F}} on 3 November 1998 and {{convert|-13.3|C|F}} on 30 November 1964, respectively. On 14 November 2008, the minimum temperature recorded was {{convert|-8|C|F}} as the Quetta valley, and major parts of Balochistan, were in the grip of a cold front for several days.

The heaviest rainfall recorded was {{convert|30|mm|in}} for a 24-hour period on 16 November 2003. While the heaviest rainfall for the month was {{convert|72|mm|in}} in 2006;

December is typically a chilly month. Western Disturbances begin to cause rain and snowfall. The heaviest rainfall for the month was {{convert|162|mm|in}} in 1982;, and the heaviest rainfall for 24-hours was recorded at {{convert|113|mm|in}} on 17 December 2000. The highest and lowest temperatures recorded were {{convert|25|C|F}} on 14 December 1970 and {{convert|-16.7|C|F}} on 12 December 1964, respectively.

December is the wettest month of the city during the winter season. The rainfall intensity gains strength during the last third of the month, but rainfall may occur earlier. There are fair chances of snowfall most probably during the last third. Light snowfall occurred on 9 December 2015 in Quetta.

In 2010, Quetta saw its record lowest monthly mean minimum for December since 2000 of {{convert|−7|C|F}}. The severe cold wave started on 28 November 2010 and continued till 17 January 2011. Pakistan Meteorological Department had forecasted in their Weather Advisory that during the coming period, mercury level may reach {{convert|-12|C|F}}.{{Cite web |url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7508727-severe-cold-wave-grip-pakistan |title=Severe Cold Wave in Quetta |website=allvoices.com |access-date=26 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328113513/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7508727-severe-cold-wave-grip-pakistan |archive-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/Latest-News/Latest-News.html |title=Severe cold wave enfolded Quetta valley |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=26 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424194621/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/Latest-News/Latest-News.html |archive-date=24 April 2012}} However at the peak of the severe cold wave the temperature dropped to {{convert|-9|C|F}} for consecutive four days, from 9 to 12 December 2010.{{Cite web |url=http://ftpapp.app.com.pk/en_/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=124118 |title=Temperature plunges to −9 |publisher=Associated Press of Pakistan |access-date=26 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425091559/http://ftpapp.app.com.pk/en_/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=124118 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead}} On the whole the temperature ranges between {{convert|-5|C|F}} to {{convert|-9|C|F}} during the severe cold wave.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/met.gov/press_release.html |title=Severe Cold Wave in Quetta 25 December, 2010 |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=26 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517095441/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/met.gov/press_release.html |archive-date=17 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://urduwire.com/en/newsdetail.aspx?id=362134 |title=Severe Cold Wave in Quetta 20 December, 2010 |website=urduwire.com |access-date=26 December 2010}}

Quetta is one of the coldest places in Balochistan and Pakistan. The lowest temperature of {{convert|-18.3|C|F}} in the history of Quetta was recorded on 8 January 1970. Every year during winter season temperatures reaches near {{convert|-10|C|F}}, while temperatures below {{convert|-15|C|F}} are not uncommon. For many consecutive years, the city had experienced a temperature below {{convert|-14|C|F}} several times.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department's recording of severe cold weather since 1960 are recorded below:{{Cite web|url=http://pmd.gov.pk/ |title=Pakistan Meteorological Department |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |access-date=25 September 2010}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/Quetta_Airport/416600.htm |title=Climate History of Quetta |website=tutiempo.net |access-date=25 September 2010}}

Quetta usually receives snow in December, January, and February, though it is not unusual to have a snowfall as late as March.{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/cantt-quetta.htm |title=Climate and Geography of Quetta |website=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=25 September 2010}} During the drought of 1998–2002, Quetta did not receive any snowfall; while in 2004, 2005, and 2008 it snowed only once in the year. In 2004 and 2008, the city received heavy snow twice after a hiatus of fifteen years.{{Cite web |date=2005-01-01 |title=Balochistan paralyzed by heavy snowfall |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/378672/balochistan-paralyzed-by-heavy-snowfall |access-date=2022-05-10 |newspaper=Dawn}}{{Cite web |date=2008-01-29 |title=Cold wave intensifies with heavy snowfall |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/286899/cold-wave-intensifies-with-heavy-snowfall |access-date=2022-05-10 |newspaper=Dawn}}

On 31 December 2004 Quetta received more than one foot of snow for the first time in fifteen years, though in 2006, 2007 and 2009 the city did not get snow. On 29 January 2008, Quetta had four inches in four hours, a few days later, on 2 February 2008, Quetta received more than one foot of snow in just 10 hours. During the winter of 2010, there was no snowfall due to the El-Nino weather system over Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/monsoon2009ver.pdf |title=Below Normal 2009 Monsoon Rainfall over Pakistan |access-date=25 September 2010 |website=Pakistan Meteorological Department |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315185449/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/monsoon2009ver.pdf |archive-date=15 March 2012}}

The major snowfalls in Quetta since 2000 are:

• On 18 February 2003 Quetta received 6 inches of snowfall for the first time since the drought hit the province in 1998.{{Cite web |last=Shahid |first=Saleem |date=2003-02-19 |title=Quetta receives heavy snowfall |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/82860/quetta-receives-heavy-snowfall |access-date=2022-05-10 |newspaper=Dawn}}
• On 29 January 2004 Quetta received heavy snowfall after a long period of five years.
• On 31 December 2004 Quetta received more than one foot of snowfall after fifteen years.{{Cite web |url=http://forum.pakistanidefence.com/index.php?showtopic=40059 |title=Quetta receives snowfall after 15 years |website=PakistaniDefence |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725161459/http://forum.pakistanidefence.com/index.php?showtopic=40059 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.balochunity.org/news/5608/ |title= Snowfall wreak havoc in Balochistan |website=Baloch Unity |access-date=25 September 2010}}
• On 29 January 2008 Quetta received more than four inches of snowfall in four hours.
• On 2 February 2008 Quetta received more than one foot of snow in just 10 hours.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\story_4-2-2008_pg7_22 |title=Snowfall paralyses life in Balochistan |newspaper=Daily Times (Pakistan) |access-date=25 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119011506/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C02%5C04%5Cstory_4-2-2008_pg7_22 |archive-date=19 January 2012}}
• On 12 February 2009, Quetta received heavy snowfall.{{Cite web |url=http://www.geo.tv/2-13-2009/35054.htm |title=Snowfall turns weather chilly in Quetta |website=Geo.tv |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217184221/http://www.geo.tv/2-13-2009/35054.htm |archive-date=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}
• On 21 January 2012, Quetta received more than one 6 inches of snow till night.{{Cite web |url=http://pakistan.onepakistan.com/news/city/quetta/41601-quetta-valley-receives-snowfall.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131121916/http://pakistan.onepakistan.com/news/city/quetta/41601-quetta-valley-receives-snowfall.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2013 |title=Heavy Snowfall in Quetta and other areas |website=onepakistan.com |access-date=21 January 2012}}
• On 22 January 2012, Quetta received more than 8 inches of snow.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2012/01/22/snow-blankets-quetta.html |title= Heavy Snowfall in Quetta |newspaper=Dawn |date= 22 January 2012 |access-date=22 January 2012}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.aaj.tv/2012/01/quetta-brace-for-first-snowfall-of-the-season/ |title= Heavy Snowfall in Quetta |newspaper=Aaj News |access-date=22 January 2012}}
• On 24 January 2012, Quetta received more than 2 inches of snow.{{Cite web|url=http://dailybalochistanexpress.com/snowfall-disrupts-life-in-quetta-others-towns/|title=Heavy Snow blankets Quetta|newspaper=Daily Balochistan Express |access-date=25 January 2012}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}{{Cite web|url=http://paktribune.com/news/Heavy-snowfall-blankets-most-parts-of-Balochistan-246995.html |title= Heavy Snow blankets Quetta |website=paktribune.com |access-date=25 January 2012}}
• On 30 January 2012, Quetta received more than 2 inches of snow.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailybalochistanexpress.com/quetta-receives-snowfall/|title=Heavy Snowfall in Quetta Jan 30, 2012|newspaper=Daily Balochistan Express |access-date=31 January 2012}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=138147|title=Heavy snowfall caused closure of traffic |newspaper=Pakistan Observer |access-date=31 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131205933/http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=138147|archive-date=31 January 2016|url-status=dead}}
• On 17 February 2012, Quetta received more than 2 inches of snow.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/18-Feb-2012/snow-rain-fall-in-balochistan |title=Heavy snowfall in Quetta again |work=The Nation |access-date=18 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218060140/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/18-Feb-2012/snow-rain-fall-in-balochistan |archive-date=18 February 2012 |url-status=live}}
• On 8 January 2014, Quetta received one foot of snow.{{Cite web |url=http://www.awaztoday.com/News_Rain-snowfall-intensify-chill_1_41193_Political-News.aspx |title=Snowfall intensify chill in Quetta |website=AwazToday |access-date=8 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111142243/http://www.awaztoday.com/News_Rain-snowfall-intensify-chill_1_41193_Political-News.aspx |archive-date=11 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}
• On 14 January 2017 Quetta received 5 inches of snow
• On 15 January 2017 some areas of Quetta received 2 feet of snow from 4 am to 9 am.

The average annual rainfall for Quetta is {{convert|312.9|mm|in}}. The city mainly receives rain from the west during the winter season, from November till the end of March. In 2003, the city received light snowfall of 6 inches for the first time since the drought hit the province in 1998. In 2004 and 2005, Quetta received normal rains with snow falling two times in January 2004 and December 2004 and light snow in 2005. While in 2006 Quetta received almost normal rainfalls although above normal rains in July and August. The rainfall in 2007 was also normal while received record-breaking monthly rainfall of {{convert|61|mm|in}} in June. In 2008 Quetta received normal rains with snow falling two times in January and February. In 2009 Quetta received the heaviest annual rainfall since 2000, a total of {{convert|320.4|mm|in}} of rain fell with no snow was recorded except the traces of snowfall in February. In 2010 the city received below normal rains of just {{convert|104|mm|in}}, the lowest since 2001.

The annual rainfall since 1982, based on data from Pakistan Meteorological Department:

Quetta was affected by a severe drought spell resulted from very low rainfall in the winter season of 1998. The La-Nina phenomena was responsible for below normal rains Balochistan including Quetta city from 1998, after diminishing in December 2000 it was reappeared, and lasted till March 2001 after that it faded gradually in the next few months. During the severe drought North Balochistan received about 30% less rain while South Balochistan received 50–60% less than normal rain.{{Cite web |url=http://un.org.pk/drought/rcreport11.htm |title=Drought in Quetta |website=United Nations Pakistan |access-date=7 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831211413/http://un.org.pk/drought/rcreport11.htm |archive-date=31 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}

At the peak of the drought in 2000, the city received just {{convert|60|mm|in}} of rainfall, while almost no rainfall or snowfall was observed in winter season. The drought enveloped the whole country and resulted in 30% below normal rains in Pakistan. At least 1.2 million people in Balochistan were affected by drought, and over 100 died, mostly because of dehydration, according to the government sources.{{Cite web |url=http://listphobia.com/2010/08/17/10-worst-natural-disasters-in-history-of-pakistan/ |title=Millions Affected during Drought in Balochistan |website=Listphobia |access-date=7 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325052414/http://listphobia.com/2010/08/17/10-worst-natural-disasters-in-history-of-pakistan/ |archive-date=25 March 2011 |url-status=dead}}

• Regional Met. Centre, Quetta
• Geophysical Centre, Quetta

• Climate of Pakistan
• Climate of Gwadar
• List of extreme weather records in Pakistan
• 2011 Balochistan floods

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100613053237/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/Climate/Quetta_Climate_Data.txt Climate Data of Quetta]
• [http://www.weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Quetta,Pakistan Weather and Climate.com Quetta weather news]

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Category:Quetta

Category:Climate by city in Pakistan