Jim Corbett weather: today, this week and through the safari season
Live temperature and a five-day forecast for Ramnagar, Dhikala and Nainital, month-by-month temperatures and rain, which zones are open when, and the best time for a safari.
- ~350 m Ramnagar
- 15 Nov Dhikala opens
- Nov–Jun main season
- Live 3 places
Photo: Timothy Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates · हिंदी में पढ़ें: रामनगर (जिम कॉर्बेट) का मौसम
Jim Corbett National Park lies in the Shivalik foothills of Kumaon, with Ramnagar (about 350 m) as its gateway town. Winters are cool and often misty: January days are around 19 °C and mornings close to 5–7 °C, colder on an open jeep in the grassland. From April the heat builds, and May–June afternoons reach the high 30s. The monsoon (July–September) is wet, and most zones close for it. The main safari season runs from mid-November to mid-June: in 2026–27 Dhikala, Durgadevi, Sonanadi and Pakhro open on 15 November, Bijrani from 15 October, while Jhirna and Dhela run all year. November–February is the most comfortable time; March–June is hotter but often best for tiger sightings near water.
- CoolestJanuary — about 19° / 6 °C; misty mornings.
- HottestMay — about 38 °C by day.
- MonsoonJuly–September; most zones closed.
- Zones open all yearJhirna and Dhela.
- Best monthsNovember–February for comfort; March–June for sightings.
Ramnagar, Dhikala and Nainital weather today
Ramnagar (about 350 m) at the park gate, Dhikala (about 400 m) inside the reserve, and Nainital (about 2,084 m) up in the hills — current temperature and the next days’ high, low and rain.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
Jim Corbett weather by month
Ramnagar has no recent published IMD normals, so the table gives the India Meteorological Department’s 1991–2020 normals for Roorkee, on the same foothill belt about 200 km to the west, as a reference. Corbett’s forests and river valleys are usually a little cooler at night and wetter in the monsoon than these figures.
| Month | Avg high / low (Roorkee IMD) | Roorkee rain | What to expect at Corbett |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.1° / 6.4 °C | 28 mm | Coldest; misty mornings; good tiger season |
| February | 23.6° / 9.2 °C | 46 mm | Pleasant; good sightings |
| March | 29.6° / 14.1 °C | 27 mm | Warm; grass burning, open views |
| April | 35.4° / 18.9 °C | 10 mm | Hot; animals near water — strong sightings |
| May | 38.0° / 23.1 °C | 24 mm | Hottest; early safaris best |
| June | 37.2° / 24.9 °C | 83 mm | Hot, humid; Dhikala and core zones close mid-June |
| July | 33.6° / 25.4 °C | 264 mm | Monsoon; only year-round zones open |
| August | 32.9° / 24.9 °C | 281 mm | Wettest; rivers high |
| September | 32.5° / 23.4 °C | 193 mm | Rain easing; core zones still closed |
| October | 31.4° / 18.0 °C | 14 mm | Pleasant; Bijrani reopens mid-October |
| November | 27.1° / 11.8 °C | 3 mm | Dhikala opens 15 November |
| December | 22.1° / 7.7 °C | 9 mm | Cool; foggy mornings |
Source: India Meteorological Department climatological normals 1991–2020 for Roorkee, shown as a reference for the Corbett area. Zone dates: Jim Corbett zones and opening dates 2026–27.
How the weather shapes a Corbett safari
Winter (November–February): crisp, clear days and cold, misty mornings — wear warm layers, a cap and gloves on the morning jeep safari. Dhikala’s grasslands and the Ramganga are at their most beautiful, and birdwatching is excellent.
Summer (March–June): the forest thins out and dries up, so animals gather at waterholes and along the river; many visitors find this the best time for tiger sightings, but afternoons are very hot. Monsoon (July–September): heavy rain washes out the forest tracks, and the core zones close until mid-October or mid-November.
In the hills above: Nainital weather · Bhimtal weather · Ranikhet weather.
Jim Corbett in pictures
Dhikala’s misty grassland, chital, peafowl and the birds of Corbett — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Best time to visit Jim Corbett
Depending on what you are going for.
Dhikala stays
Forest rest house inside the reserve.
Comfortable safaris
Cool days, misty mornings.
Tiger sightings
Animals near water; hot afternoons.
Birdwatching
Winter migrants along the Ramganga.
Year-round zones
Jhirna and Dhela.
Take care
Monsoon; most zones closed.
Corbett trip: what the weather means for you
Clothing: warm layers, a cap and gloves for winter morning safaris; light cotton, a hat and sun protection from April to June; earthy colours in every season.
Getting there: Ramnagar has a railway station and is about 250 km from Delhi; Kathgodam and Nainital are within a few hours. Book safaris and Dhikala stays early on the official portal, especially for the opening weeks and holidays.
Our Corbett trips
Stays, safaris and a private car in one quote.
Planning a Corbett safari?
Tell us your dates, where you are starting from and how many of you are travelling. We check the weather and the zone calendar and send a written quote with stays, safaris 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.
Jim Corbett weather: frequently asked questions
What is the weather in Jim Corbett today?
The top of this page shows the current temperature and the next days’ forecast for Ramnagar, Dhikala and Nainital (MET Norway data).
When does Dhikala open in 2026?
On 15 November 2026, together with Durgadevi, Sonanadi and Pakhro; Bijrani opened from 15 October.
Is Jim Corbett open in the monsoon?
Only the year-round zones, Jhirna and Dhela; the core zones close for the monsoon.
How cold is Corbett in winter?
January days are around 19 °C and mornings around 5–7 °C, colder on an open jeep.
What is the best time for tiger sightings in Corbett?
Many visitors find March–June best, when animals gather near water; November–February is more comfortable.
How hot is Corbett in summer?
May–June afternoons reach the high 30s °C.
Sources
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
- India Meteorological Department — Roorkee normals 1991–2020 (reference for the Corbett area)
- Corbett Tiger Reserve — official zone calendar
Photo credits
Morning mist at Dhikala — Photo: Timothy Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chital in the forest — Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Indian peafowl — Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 · A chital fawn — Photo: Subhrajyoti07, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Plum-headed parakeet — Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Golden jackal in the rain — Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Green bee-eater — Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Purple sunbird — Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 · A herd of chital — Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0
