Kufri Weather by Month: Temperature, Snow & Best Time (2026)
Updated: November 2026
Short answer: Kufri in November and December is cold, sunny and mostly dry, roughly 2°C colder than Shimla: think about 13°C by day and 5°C at night in November, and around 10°C and 2°C in December, with frost on clear nights. Snow usually comes between mid-December and February, with January the best bet; there is no snow on the ground yet this season. A live 5-day forecast is coming soon to this page; until then, check the latest IMD forecast before you travel.
Quick answer: Kufri weather at a glance
- Altitude: about 2,500 m (published figures vary from about 2,300 to 2,700 m), roughly 300 m above Shimla.
- Distance: 16–20 km from Shimla on NH-5 via Dhalli, 30–45 minutes on a clear road.
- Temperatures: no IMD normals station at Kufri; expect about 2°C colder than Shimla (on 4 January 2026 Kufri hit 0.4°C, Shimla 2.6°C).
- Snow window: mid-December to February; January is the most reliable month.
- Snow-day catch: police often stop traffic beyond Dhalli until the road is cleared.
- No snow? The indoor Snow Kingdom park in Kufri keeps snow all year.
Want a Kufri snow day that works around the weather?
We base you in Shimla and pick the Kufri day from the forecast, with a driver who knows the Dhalli–Kufri road. Get a free quote · WhatsApp us · Call +91 70874 88961
What is the weather like in Kufri month by month?
Kufri has no IMD climate-normals station. The temperatures below are Shimla’s IMD 1991–2020 normals lowered by 2°C, which matches the standard fall of about 6.5°C per 1,000 m of height and the difference seen on recent cold nights. Precipitation and snow notes follow Shimla’s IMD averages; Kufri gets more snow than the town.
| Month | Approx. max / min (°C)* | Rain / snow | What it feels like | Best for | Roads & access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 / 0 | Wettest winter month in snow; ~4+ snow days | Freezing nights, snow on slopes | Snow, sledging, Mahasu Peak | NH-5 beyond Dhalli shut for hours after snow |
| February | 8 / 0 | Snow spells common | Cold; old snow lingers in shade | Snow with fewer crowds | As January |
| March | 12 / 4 | Occasional late snow | Cool, slushy, melting | Quiet trips | Normally open |
| April | 18 / 9 | Dry spring | Mild days, cool nights | Families, horse rides | Open |
| May | 21 / 12 | Light showers | Pleasant | Summer holidays | Weekend traffic |
| June | 22 / 13 | Pre-monsoon | Warm by day | Early-June holidays | Open |
| July | 19 / 13 | Monsoon; heavy rain | Foggy and wet | Only if flexible | Slips possible |
| August | 18 / 12 | Wettest month | Foggy and wet | Avoid unless flexible | Slips possible |
| September | 18 / 11 | Monsoon eases | Clearing skies | Late-September trips | Open |
| October | 17 / 8 | Dry | Crisp, clear | Views, couples | Open |
| November | 13 / 5 | Very dry | Sunny days, frosty nights | Budget trips, views | Open |
| December | 10 / 2 | Dry; first snow some years | Cold; frost most nights | Christmas, chance of snow | Year-end traffic; Dhalli closures after snow |
*Approximate, derived from Shimla IMD normals (1991–2020) adjusted for height. Not an official Kufri record.
When does it snow in Kufri?
Kufri sits about 300 m above Shimla, so a spell that gives the Ridge rain or sleet often leaves Kufri white. Most winters bring a handful of spells between the second half of December and late February, each lasting one to three days.
| Winter | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | An early spell: Kufri and Manali got the season’s first snow around 16 November 2020. | ETV Bharat, 16 November 2020 |
| 2022–23 | Late: Kufri and Narkanda got 1–2 inches on 13 January 2023 while Shimla had rain. | The Tribune, 13 January 2023 |
| 2024–25 | Around 8–9 December 2024 Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda turned white; more snow in Christmas week. | PTI via National Herald, 9 December 2024 |
| 2025–26 | Very late: first major snow on 23 January 2026; buses and cars were stranded on the Kufri road and travel beyond Dhalli was suspended. | Keekli, 24 January 2026; Business Today, 25 January 2026 |
Our Kufri snowfall guide has month-by-month odds and where exactly the snow lies (Green Valley, Mahasu Peak, Fagu).
Can you reach Kufri when it snows?
Usually yes, but not always on the morning the snow falls. Kufri is on NH-5, the main road from Shimla to Narkanda and Kinnaur. During and just after a heavy spell, police and the district administration often stop traffic at or beyond Dhalli until the road is ploughed and gritted; after overnight snow it often reopens around midday.
| Situation | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Dry winter day | Shimla–Kufri 30–45 minutes; leave after 9 am to avoid black ice on shaded bends. |
| Day of heavy snow | Barrier at or beyond Dhalli; local taxis may shuttle from the closure point at higher prices. |
| Day after snow | Road usually open by late morning; only drivers with chains should go up. |
| Christmas–New Year | Long jams at Dhalli in the afternoon; go on a weekday morning. |
Check HP Police and Shimla district advisories the night before and on the morning. For snow play when the slopes are bare, see Snow Kingdom Kufri and Kufri adventure activities.
What should you pack for Kufri?
Kufri is a half-day outing for most people, but it is windy and exposed, so dress warmer than you would for Shimla.
| Season | What to pack |
|---|---|
| Dec–Feb | Thermals, down or padded jacket, waterproof gloves, woollen cap, boots with grip; snow boots can be rented locally. |
| Mar–Apr | Warm jacket, waterproof shoes for slush. |
| May–Jun | Light jacket, sunscreen, cap. |
| Jul–Sep | Rain jacket, non-slip shoes. |
| Oct–Nov | Fleece plus a jacket; it is colder than Shimla by evening. |
When is the best time to visit Kufri?
| Trip type | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | January, then February | Most spells and longest-lasting snow. |
| Honeymoon | October–November, March | Clear views of the snow range, few crowds. |
| Family | April–June | Pleasant for horse rides and the nature park. |
| Budget | November, March | Off-season Shimla hotel rates. |
What this means for your trip
Stay in Shimla for three nights with one free day and let the forecast choose the Kufri day. If there is no snow, drive on to Narkanda or use the indoor park. Our Shimla in December guide and Chandigarh–Shimla package cover the rest; see also the Shimla weather page.
More mountain weather: Shimla · Narkanda · All Himachal
Kufri weather: frequently asked questions
When does it snow in Kufri?
Mostly from mid-December to February, with January the most reliable month. Early spells happen in some years, such as 16 November 2020, but most years nothing settles before December.
How cold is Kufri in December?
There are no official normals for Kufri, but it runs about 2°C colder than Shimla, whose December average is 11.9°C by day and 4°C at night. Expect around 10°C by day and close to freezing at night.
Is Kufri colder than Shimla?
Yes. It is about 300 m higher. On 4 January 2026 Kufri recorded 0.4°C against 2.6°C in Shimla (PTI).
Is the road to Kufri open after snowfall?
Often not on the morning of heavy snow; police stop traffic beyond Dhalli until the road is cleared, usually within hours. Check HP Police advisories and go mid-morning.
Is there snow in Kufri in November?
Rarely. November is one of the driest months in the Shimla hills. Hatu Peak near Narkanda can get early snow, as on 25 October 2026, but Kufri itself usually waits for December or January.
What if there is no snow in Kufri?
Use the indoor Snow Kingdom park, drive on to Narkanda, which is higher, or enjoy clear winter views and the ice rink in Shimla.
Plan a Shimla–Kufri snow trip
Send your dates and group size. We keep a flexible day, pick Kufri or Narkanda by the forecast, and quote cab and hotels as one price.
Get a free quote · WhatsApp us · Call +91 70874 88961 · info@suzutravels.com
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