Chopta weather: today, this week and through the year
Live temperature and a five-day forecast for Chopta, Tungnath and Joshimath, approximate month-by-month temperatures, winter snow, and the best time for the Tungnath–Chandrashila trek.
- ~2,680 m Chopta
- ~3,680 m Tungnath
- Dec–Mar snow
- Live 3 places
Photo: Ssteaj, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
Chopta is a meadow and forest camp at about 2,680 m on the road between Ukhimath and Gopeshwar; from it a trail of about 3.5 km climbs to Tungnath (about 3,680 m) and on to Chandrashila (about 4,000 m). Summer days are cool, around 15–20 °C. Winters are snowy: from about December to March, Chopta and the trail lie under snow and nights fall well below freezing. Tungnath temple closed for the winter on 6 November 2026. The best months are April–June for rhododendrons and October–November for clear Himalayan views; January–February are for snow treks.
- WinterSnow from about December to March; nights well below freezing.
- SummerCool days, about 15–20 °C.
- Tungnath templeClosed for winter from 6 November 2026.
- MonsoonJuly–August; cloud, leeches and landslides.
- Best monthsApril–June, October–November; Jan–Feb for snow.
Chopta, Tungnath and Joshimath weather today
Chopta (about 2,680 m), Tungnath (about 3,680 m) and Joshimath (about 1,875 m) — current temperature and the next days’ high, low, rain and snow.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
Chopta weather by month
Chopta has no published IMD averages. The temperatures below are rough estimates: the India Meteorological Department’s 1971–2000 normals for Joshimath (about 1,875 m), lowered by about 5 °C for Chopta’s extra 800 m of height and rounded. Tungnath, a further 1,000 m up, is about 6 °C colder again.
| Month | Approx. Chopta high / low* | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6° / −3 °C | Snow; trail snowbound |
| February | 7° / −2 °C | Snow; snow treks |
| March | 12° / 2 °C | Snow melting; first rhododendrons |
| April | 16° / 6 °C | Rhododendrons in bloom |
| May | 18° / 9 °C | Pleasant; Tungnath open |
| June | 20° / 11 °C | Warmest; monsoon arrives late June |
| July | 18° / 12 °C | Monsoon; cloud and landslides |
| August | 18° / 12 °C | Monsoon; green meadows |
| September | 17° / 10 °C | Rain easing |
| October | 17° / 6 °C | Clear; best views |
| November | 12° / 2 °C | Cold, clear; Tungnath closed |
| December | 8° / −1 °C | First heavy snow |
*Estimated from Joshimath’s IMD normals (1971–2000) adjusted for height — not official Chopta records. Winter guide: Chopta in winter.
Tungnath and Chandrashila: when to go
Tungnath, at about 3,680 m, is often called the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the Panch Kedar. It is open from about May to early November; in 2026 it closed on 6 November, and the deity spends the winter at Makkumath. Above it, Chandrashila (about 4,000 m) looks out over Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba and the Kedarnath peaks.
The trail can be walked in winter, but from about December to March it is under snow, the temple is closed, and the road to Chopta can close after heavy falls. October–November give the clearest views; April–May bring rhododendrons in bloom across the slopes.
Nearby weather: Kedarnath weather and Auli weather · temple dates: Char Dham closing dates 2026.
Chopta and Tungnath in pictures
Tungnath in snow, the Kedarnath peaks, rhododendrons and the Chopta meadows — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Best time to visit Chopta and Tungnath
Depending on what you are going for.
Snow treks
Deep snow; temple closed.
Rhododendrons
Slopes in bloom.
Clear mountain views
Driest skies from Chandrashila.
Tungnath darshan
Temple open.
Green meadows
Rain easing.
Take care
Monsoon cloud and landslides.
Chopta trip: what the weather means for you
Clothing: a warm jacket and layers in every month; full winter wear, gaiters and microspikes for the trail from December to March; a rain jacket from late June to September.
Start early — mornings are clearest on Chandrashila; cloud often builds by midday.
Getting there: Chopta is reached by road from Rishikesh via Rudraprayag and Ukhimath — most of a day’s drive. Cab: Rishikesh taxi service.
Our Uttarakhand trips
Stays, meals and a private car in one quote.
Planning Chopta or Tungnath?
Tell us your dates, where you are starting from and how many of you are travelling. We check the weather and the road and send a written quote with stays and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, and plans trips across north India.
Chopta weather: frequently asked questions
What is the weather in Chopta today?
The top of this page shows the current temperature and the next days’ forecast for Chopta, Tungnath and Joshimath (MET Norway data).
Does it snow in Chopta?
Yes — from about December to March Chopta and the Tungnath trail are usually under snow.
Is Tungnath open in winter?
No. In 2026 the temple closed on 6 November; it reopens around May.
How cold is Chopta in December?
Days around 8 °C and nights below freezing (an estimate); Tungnath is much colder.
What is the best time to visit Chopta?
April–June for rhododendrons and pleasant weather, October–November for clear views, January–February for snow.
How long is the trek from Chopta to Tungnath?
About 3.5 km, with Chandrashila about 1.5 km further up.
Sources
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
- India Meteorological Department — Joshimath normals 1971–2000 (height-adjusted estimate)
- Wikipedia: Tungnath
Photo credits
Snow peaks above Chopta — Photo: Ssteaj, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Tungnath temple — Photo: Varun Shiv Kapur, CC BY 2.0 · Approaching Tungnath on a winter morning — Photo: Vvnataraj, CC BY-SA 3.0 · The snowy path to Tungnath — Photo: Vvnataraj, CC BY-SA 3.0 · The Kedarnath peaks from Tungnath — Photo: Vvnataraj, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rhododendrons in spring — Photo: Ssteaj, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Green slopes of Chopta — Photo: Rajborah123, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Snow on the Tungnath trail — Photo: MR.VIVEK NEGI, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chopta meadows — Photo: Vipul kothari, CC BY-SA 4.0
