Kashmir Weather by Month: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam & Sonamarg Snow Guide (2026)
Updated: November 2026
Short answer: Kashmir in November and December is dry, sunny and getting colder by the week: Srinagar averages about 16°C by day in November and 10°C in December, with nights at or below freezing, while Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam run 3–8°C colder and turn white first. The season’s first snow fell on Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Zojila and Razdan Pass on 13–14 October 2026. January and February are the main snow months; Chillai Kalan, the 40 coldest days, starts on 21 December. Live forecasts for six Kashmir places are coming soon to this page; until then, check the latest IMD forecast before you travel.
Quick answer: Kashmir weather at a glance
- Mildest base: Srinagar (1,585 m); December averages 9.9°C by day and −1.6°C at night (IMD 1991–2020).
- Most reliable snow: Gulmarg, usually white from the second half of December to March.
- Snow in Srinagar city: January–February in most years; in 2025–26 not until 23 January 2026.
- Winter access: Sonamarg all year via the Z-Morh tunnel; Mughal Road, Gurez and Doodhpathri usually shut by snow.
- Open spots: most places closed after April 2025 have reopened (42 by 16 February 2026); Baisaran remained closed in 2026.
- Check daily: J&K Traffic Police advisory and J&K Tourism / district police updates.
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How does the weather compare across Kashmir?
Temperatures are IMD 1991–2020 normals (average daily maximum / minimum, °C) where a station exists. Places without IMD normals are shown without numbers rather than with guesses; each place page explains the nearest comparable station.
| Place | Altitude | Dec avg max / min (°C) | Jan avg max / min (°C) | Best snow months | Winter access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | about 1,585 m | 9.9 / −1.6 | 7.1 / −1.9 | January–February (city snow not every year) | Open; NH-44 and flights can stop after heavy snow |
| Gulmarg | about 2,650 m | 4.6 / −4.8 | 0.7 / −7.7 | Late December to March | Open; 4×4 or chains after snow |
| Pahalgam | about 2,200 m | 7.9 / −4.2 | 4.9 / −6.1 | Late December to February | Town open; side valleys can be blocked |
| Sonamarg | about 2,730 m | no IMD normals | no IMD normals | December to March | Open all year via Z-Morh tunnel |
| Doodhpathri | about 2,730 m | no IMD normals | no IMD normals | Heavy snow December–March | Usually inaccessible in deep winter |
| Gurez | about 2,400–2,580 m | no IMD normals | no IMD normals | Heavy snow; cut off in winter | Road over Razdan Pass shut by snow |
When does it snow in Kashmir?
Snow arrives top-down. The high passes and Gulmarg’s Apharwat ridge get the first falls in October; the resorts usually turn white in December; Srinagar city gets snow in January–February in most years, and some years later. Chillai Kalan, from 21 December to 30 January, is the coldest and usually snowiest stretch.
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 21 December 2024 | Srinagar −8.5°C, the coldest December night since 1990; Pahalgam −8.6°C, Gulmarg −6.2°C. | Kashmir Reader / PTI, 21 December 2024 |
| 22 December 2025 | Fresh snow at Pir Ki Gali closed the Mughal Road. | IANS, 22 December 2025 |
| 31 December 2025 | Snow in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam; rain in Srinagar. | IANS via Lokmat, 1 January 2026 |
| 23 January 2026 | First snow in the plains including Srinagar; Jammu–Srinagar highway closed and flights cancelled for the day. | Republic, 23 January 2026 |
| 13–14 October 2026 | Season’s first snow on Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Zojila and Razdan Pass. | OneIndia / Hans India, October 2026 |
More detail: Kashmir snowfall guide.
Which Kashmir roads close in winter?
| Road | Winter status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jammu–Srinagar (NH-44) | Open; closes for a day or more after heavy snow near Banihal | Flying or the Katra–Srinagar train avoids it |
| Srinagar–Gulmarg via Tangmarg | Open; 4×4 or anti-skid chains required after snow | SDM Gulmarg advisory |
| Srinagar–Sonamarg (Z-Morh tunnel) | Open all year since January 2025 | Held during heavy snow |
| Zojila (towards Kargil/Leh) | Kept open through 2025–26 for the first time, with short closures | Earlier winters it closed late Dec–Jan |
| Mughal Road (Shopian–Poonch) | Usually closed through winter after snow | Closed after snow on 22 December 2025 |
| Bandipora–Gurez over Razdan Pass | Cut off by snow | Gurez was still awaiting clearance in February 2026 |
Check the J&K Traffic Police advisory on the morning you travel.
Which places are open to tourists in 2026?
After the attack at Baisaran on 22 April 2025, the administration closed many spots and reopened them in phases. By 16 February 2026, 42 of the nearly 50 closed sites had reopened, including Thajiwas Glacier, Doodhpathri and Yusmarg (Business Today, 17 February 2026). In Pahalgam, Betaab and Aru valleys are open and Chandanwari reopened by June 2026, but Baisaran meadow was still closed in 2026 reports, and some trekking routes stayed shut. Status can change at short notice; check J&K Tourism and district police advisories before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Kashmir?
| Trip type | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | Late December to February | Gulmarg is reliably white; Chillai Kalan brings the coldest, snowiest weeks. |
| Skiing | January–March | Deepest snow at Gulmarg; see skiing in Gulmarg. |
| Honeymoon | April–June, September–October | Mild weather, gardens and shikara rides. |
| Family | April–June | All day trips open and pleasant. |
| Tulips / autumn colours | Late March–April / late October–November | Tulip garden in spring; red chinars in autumn. |
| Budget | November, early December, March | Off-season rates. |
What this means for your trip
For November–early December, expect cold, sunny days and a fair chance of snow at Gulmarg; for snow almost everywhere, come in January–February and keep a buffer day for the highway or flights. Read Kashmir in November, December and January, plan with our Kashmir itinerary, and compare Kashmir tour packages or best Kashmir tour package. All regions: Mountain Weather.
Kashmir weather: frequently asked questions
When does it snow in Kashmir?
Gulmarg and the passes get snow from October or November; the resorts are usually white from late December; Srinagar city gets snow in January–February in most years. In 2026 the first snow fell on Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Zojila on 13–14 October.
Which is the coldest place in Kashmir for tourists?
Gulmarg, with January averages of 0.7°C by day and −7.7°C at night (IMD 1991–2020); Sonamarg is similar. Srinagar is the mildest base.
What is Chillai Kalan?
The 40 harshest days of Kashmir’s winter, from 21 December to 30 January.
Is Kashmir open for tourists in winter 2026?
Yes. Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam town are open; most spots closed in 2025 reopened by February 2026. Baisaran remained closed in 2026 reports. Check J&K Tourism and police advisories.
Is Sonamarg open in winter?
Yes, since the Z-Morh tunnel opened on 13 January 2025, though the road can be held during heavy snow.
Is the Mughal Road open in winter?
Usually not. It closes after snow at Pir Ki Gali, as on 22 December 2025, and generally stays shut until spring.
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