High temperatures on Wednesday were about 100 degrees F, or 38 degrees C, innorthern Pakistan northwest of the capital, Islamabad. It is in this part ofnorthwestern Pakistan, an area including the city of Mardan, where victims ofviolence have fled and taken refuge with minimal shelter from the elements.Through at least the end of the week, daily high temperatures will be 95 to105 degrees F, or about 35 to 40 degrees C, in the area housing most of therefugees. While dry weather will dominate, there will be scatteredthunderstorms daily along nearby mountains, a few of which could stray over thelowlands with bursts of high wind and rain.
The heat and strong sunshine will stress a population which, being from amountainous area, may be altogether unaccustomed to such conditions. And weak,temporary structures such as tents will be highly prone to damage owing to anysevere wind and heavy rain in thunderstorms.
Extreme heat is the rule in the affected area through June and into July,when a rainy season marked by severe thunderstorms with torrential rain begins.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews
