Kedarnath weather: today, this week and through the yatra season
Live temperature and a five-day forecast for Kedarnath, Gaurikund and Joshimath, approximate month-by-month temperatures, winter snow, and when the temple opens and closes.
- ~3,583 m Kedarnath
- 11 Nov 2026 doors close
- ~16 km trek from Gaurikund
- Live 3 places
Photo: Mohit_devli, CC BY-SA 3.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates · हिंदी में पढ़ें: केदारनाथ का मौसम
Kedarnath stands at about 3,583 m, at the head of the Mandakini valley, a trek of about 16 km from Gaurikund. It is cold in every month: in the yatra season (May–October) days are roughly 10–15 °C and nights near or below freezing early and late in the season. From about November to April it lies under deep snow. The temple doors close for winter on 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj), at 8:30 am, and Kedarnath’s deity is worshipped at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath until the doors reopen, usually in late April or May. May–June and September–October are the best months; July–August bring heavy monsoon rain and landslides.
- Yatra seasonAbout May to early November.
- Doors close11 November 2026, 8:30 am (Bhai Dooj).
- WinterSnowbound; deity at Omkareshwar, Ukhimath.
- MonsoonJuly–August; landslides on the road and trek.
- Best monthsMay–June, September–October.
Kedarnath, Gaurikund and Joshimath weather today
Kedarnath (about 3,583 m), Gaurikund (about 1,980 m) where the trek begins, 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 —.
Kedarnath weather by month
There are no published IMD averages for Kedarnath. The temperatures below are rough estimates: the India Meteorological Department’s 1971–2000 normals for Joshimath (about 1,875 m), lowered by about 10 °C for Kedarnath’s extra 1,700 m of height and rounded. Use them as a guide to what to pack, not as measurements — the live forecast above is better for your actual dates.
| Month | Approx. high / low* | Temple | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1° / −8 °C | Closed | Deep snow |
| February | 2° / −7 °C | Closed | Deep snow |
| March | 7° / −3 °C | Closed | Snow; avalanche risk |
| April | 11° / 1 °C | Usually opens late April–May | Snow clearing on the trek |
| May | 13° / 4 °C | Open | Clear days; snow beside the path |
| June | 15° / 6 °C | Open | Busiest; monsoon arrives late June |
| July | 13° / 7 °C | Open | Heavy rain; landslides |
| August | 13° / 7 °C | Open | Heavy rain; landslides |
| September | 12° / 5 °C | Open | Rain easing; green |
| October | 12° / 1 °C | Open | Clear, cold; best views |
| November | 7° / −3 °C | Closes 11 Nov 2026 | First snow; very cold |
| December | 3° / −6 °C | Closed | Snowbound |
*Estimated from Joshimath’s IMD normals (1971–2000) adjusted for height — not official Kedarnath records. Closing date: Char Dham closing dates 2026.
When Kedarnath opens and closes
The doors of Kedarnath open each year in late April or May, on a date announced on Mahashivratri, and close on Bhai Dooj after Diwali. In 2026 they close on 11 November at 8:30 am. Through the winter the deity is carried down to the Omkareshwar temple at Ukhimath, where it is worshipped until the spring opening.
Snow can fall at Kedarnath in any month, and heavy falls are common from November. In May, walls of old snow still line parts of the trek; by October the sky is at its clearest and the nights are freezing. In July and August, rain, cloud and landslides on the road to Sonprayag and on the trek cause frequent delays.
Plan: Kedarnath yatra · Char Dham yatra · nearby weather: Chopta weather, Auli weather, Badrinath weather.
Kedarnath in pictures
The temple below the Kedarnath range, at dawn, in the rainy season and in snow — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Best time to visit Kedarnath
Depending on what you are going for.
Clear views
Driest skies; cold nights.
Start of the season
Snow beside the path; busiest weeks.
Fewer pilgrims
Quieter than May–June.
Closing ceremony
Very cold; plan early.
Winter darshan
At Omkareshwar, Ukhimath.
Take care
Heavy rain and landslides.
Kedarnath yatra: what the weather means for you
Clothing: a warm jacket, thermal layers, cap and gloves in every month; a rain jacket or poncho and waterproof shoes, especially from late June to September.
Altitude: Kedarnath is at about 3,583 m. Spend a night at Guptkashi or Sonprayag on the way up from Haridwar, walk slowly, and start the trek early — afternoon cloud and rain are common.
Buffer: keep a spare day in the monsoon and late in the season; landslides and snow can close the road or the trek at short notice. Cab: Char Dham yatra taxi.
Our pilgrimage trips
Stays, meals and a private car in one quote.
Planning the Kedarnath yatra?
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 plan 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.
Kedarnath weather: frequently asked questions
What is the weather in Kedarnath today?
The top of this page shows the current temperature and the next days’ forecast for Kedarnath, Gaurikund and Joshimath (MET Norway data).
When does Kedarnath close in 2026?
On 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj), at 8:30 am. The deity is then worshipped at the Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath, through the winter.
When does Kedarnath open?
Usually in late April or May; the date is announced on Mahashivratri.
Does it snow in Kedarnath?
Yes — heavily from about November to April, and light snow can fall in any month.
How cold is Kedarnath in October?
Days around 10–12 °C and nights near or below freezing (an estimate; check the live forecast for your dates).
What is the best time for the Kedarnath yatra?
May–June and September–October. July–August bring heavy rain and landslides.
How long is the trek to Kedarnath?
About 16 km from Gaurikund.
Sources
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
- India Meteorological Department — Joshimath normals 1971–2000 (height-adjusted estimate)
- Shri Badarinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee
Photo credits
Kedarnath temple below the snow peaks — Photo: Mohit_devli, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kedarnath at dawn — Photo: Naresh Balakrishnan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The temple and the Kedarnath range — Photo: Nehasnaps0306, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Snow on the ridge behind Kedarnath — Photo: Abhi201979, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kedarnath peaks from Chopta — Photo: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India, CC BY 2.0 · Kedarnath in the rainy season — Photo: Shivam Kumar 766, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Kedarnath valley — Photo: Prateek as a traveller, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kedarnath temple in October — Photo: Naresh Balakrishnan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The temple and the Himalaya — Photo: Manaswrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
