Leh Weather by Month: Temperature, Snow & Best Time (2026)
Updated: November 2026
Short answer: Leh in November and December is very cold and very dry: IMD normals give about 10.6°C by day and −7.2°C at night in November, and 4.5°C and −11.7°C in December, with almost no rain or snow in town. Winter in Leh is about cold, not heavy snow — the snow falls on the passes. The Manali–Leh road has been shut beyond Darcha since 15 October 2026, so winter visitors fly in. A live 5-day forecast is coming soon to this page; until then, check the latest IMD forecast before you travel.
Quick answer: Leh weather at a glance
- Altitude: about 3,500 m in the Indus valley, in the rain shadow of the Himalaya.
- Coldest month: January, 1.5°C by day and −13.1°C at night (IMD 1951–2020); record low −28.3°C.
- Very dry: about 4–15 mm of precipitation a month; even the wettest months (July–August) get about 15 mm.
- Roads in winter: Manali–Leh closed beyond Darcha since 15 October 2026; Srinagar–Leh over Zojila was kept open through winter 2025–26 for the first time, with short closures.
- Flights: the practical way in from November to April.
- Acclimatise: the Leh administration advises at least 48 hours of rest before going higher.
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What is the weather like in Leh month by month?
Temperatures and precipitation are IMD climate normals for Leh for 1951–2020. Pangong (about 4,250 m), Changthang and Khardung La are much colder; Nubra is a little milder.
| Month | Avg max / min (°C) | Rain / snow | What it feels like | Best for | Roads & access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.5 / −13.1 | ~10 mm | Bitter cold; frozen streams | Winter festivals, snow leopard trips | Fly in; high passes snowbound |
| February | 4.2 / −9.2 | ~8 mm | Bitter cold | Snow leopard trips, frozen landscapes | Fly in |
| March | 9.7 / −3.7 | ~11 mm | Very cold nights, sunny days | Quiet late-winter trips | Zojila may reopen or be cleared |
| April | 15.3 / 1.6 | ~9 mm | Cold nights, mild sun | Early season, few crowds | Srinagar–Leh usually open |
| May | 20 / 6.2 | ~9 mm | Cool days, cold nights | Early-season sightseeing | Manali–Leh may open late May–June |
| June | 24.4 / 11.3 | ~4 mm | Pleasant days, cool nights | Peak season, road trips | Both highways usually open |
| July | 28.5 / 15.9 | ~15 mm | Warmest (about 28°C by day) | Road trips, Pangong, Nubra | Both highways; watch for flash floods |
| August | 28.1 / 15.1 | ~15 mm | Warm days | Road trips | Both highways |
| September | 23.4 / 9.2 | ~9 mm | Clear, crisp | Best overall month | Both highways |
| October | 16.7 / 0.3 | ~8 mm | Cold nights below freezing | Quiet early October trips | Manali–Leh closes mid-October (15 Oct in 2026) |
| November | 10.6 / −7.2 | ~4 mm | Sub-zero nights | Only for prepared travellers | Fly in; check Zojila |
| December | 4.5 / −11.7 | ~5 mm | Very cold | Winter trips | Fly in |
Record lows (IMD): −28.3°C in January, −28.6°C in February, −25.6°C in December.
When does it snow in Leh?
Leh town gets only light snow a few times each winter because it sits in a rain shadow. The passes around it — Khardung La, Chang La, Zojila, Baralacha La, Tanglang La — get heavy snow from October, which is what closes the roads.
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec 2020 / 4 Jan 2022 / 6 Jan 2023 | Zojila closed for winter on these dates in earlier seasons. | BRO records via Greater Kashmir |
| Winter 2025–26 | BRO kept Zojila open through winter for the first time, with brief closures after snow spells, and beyond 28 February. | The Tribune, 6 March 2026; Hindusthan Samachar, 6 March 2026 |
| 15 October 2026 | Snow on Baralacha La closed the Manali–Leh road beyond Darcha. | ThePrint / PTI, 15 October 2026 |
More in our Ladakh in winter guide.
Which roads to Leh are open in each season?
| Route | Winter (Nov–Apr) | Summer (May–Oct) |
|---|---|---|
| Flights to Leh | Run all winter; the main way in | Run |
| Srinagar–Sonamarg–Zojila–Kargil–Leh (NH-1) | Kept open through 2025–26 with short closures; earlier winters it closed in late Dec–Jan | Open |
| Manali–Keylong–Darcha–Sarchu–Leh | Closed beyond Darcha since 15 October 2026 | Usually open roughly June to mid-October |
| Leh–Khardung La–Nubra / Leh–Chang La–Pangong | Open on most days with clearance; closures after snow | Open |
Check the Leh district administration, BRO and J&K / Ladakh traffic advisories on the day. Summer road trips: our Manali to Leh taxi page.
What should you pack for Leh?
At 3,500 m the air is thin and dry and the sun is strong. Pack for big swings between day and night.
| Season | What to pack |
|---|---|
| Nov–Mar | Expedition-grade down jacket, thermals, insulated pants, insulated boots, balaclava, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, moisturiser. |
| Apr–May | Down jacket, fleece, thermals for nights, sunscreen. |
| Jun–Sep | Layers, fleece and jacket for passes and nights, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses. |
| Oct | Warm jacket and thermals; nights below freezing. |
When is the best time to visit Leh?
| Trip type | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Road trips | June–September | Both highways and all passes usually open. |
| Winter and wildlife | January–February | Frozen landscapes and snow leopard season; fly in. |
| Family | June–August | Warmest days; plan acclimatisation. |
| Budget | May, late September–early October | Shoulder season. |
What this means for your trip
From now until about May, think of Leh as a fly-in winter destination: cold, dry and quiet, with acclimatisation even more important. For road trips with Pangong and Nubra in comfortable weather, go June–September. See our Leh Ladakh tour packages, Kashmir Ladakh package, the Ladakh packing list and snow leopard safari.
More mountain weather: Kaza (Spiti) · Sonamarg · Manali · All mountain weather
Leh weather: frequently asked questions
How cold is Leh in December?
IMD normals give about 4.5°C by day and −11.7°C at night. Cold snaps go far lower; the December record is −25.6°C.
Does it snow in Leh?
Only lightly in town, a few times each winter, because Leh is in a rain shadow. Heavy snow falls on the passes around it, which is what closes the roads.
Is the Manali–Leh highway open in November?
No. It has been closed beyond Darcha since snow on Baralacha La on 15 October 2026 and normally reopens around June.
Is the Srinagar–Leh road open in winter?
In winter 2025–26 BRO kept Zojila open for the first time, with short closures after snow. Check the advisory on the day; flying in is the reliable option.
What is the best time to visit Leh?
June to September for road trips and comfortable weather; January–February for a winter trip with frozen landscapes and wildlife.
How long should I acclimatise in Leh?
The Leh district administration advises at least 48 hours of rest before going higher, to places like Khardung La or Pangong.
Plan Ladakh for the right season
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