Manali Weather by Month: Temperature, Snow & Best Time (2026)
Updated: November 2026
Short answer: Manali in November and December is dry, sunny and cold: India Meteorological Department (IMD) normals give days of about 17°C falling to 13.5°C and nights near or below freezing, with only about two rainy days a month. The high passes above town are already white this season (Rohtang got snow in September and again on 10–11 October 2026), but snow in Manali town usually comes between mid-December and February, and some winters much later. A live 5-day forecast is coming soon to this page; until then, check the latest IMD forecast before you travel.
Quick answer: Manali weather at a glance
- Altitude: about 2,050 m; Solang is higher (about 2,560 m) and Sissu beyond the Atal Tunnel about 3,100 m.
- Coldest month: January, average 10.5°C by day and −1.1°C at night (IMD 1991–2020); record low −11.6°C.
- Wettest months: July and August (200+ mm each); October to December are the driest.
- Snow in town: most years between mid-December and February. In 2025–26 the first town snow came only on 23 January 2026.
- Roads: the Atal Tunnel keeps Lahaul reachable in winter, but police stop ordinary cars at Solang or Palchan after fresh snow. Rohtang closes to tourists in winter.
- Check on the day: HP Police / Kullu district traffic advisories and the IMD Shimla bulletin.
Planning Manali around the weather?
Tell us your dates and whether snow is the main goal. We’ll build the days so the Solang or Sissu day falls on the best forecast, with a local driver who carries chains. Get a free quote · WhatsApp us · Call +91 70874 88961
What is the weather like in Manali month by month?
The temperatures below are IMD climate normals for Manali for 1991–2020. Rain is the long-term monthly average with the average number of rainy days. Treat them as a guide to what a normal month feels like; any single week can be warmer, colder or wetter. Solang and Sissu run several degrees colder than town.
| Month | Avg max / min (°C) | Rain / snow | What it feels like | Best for | Roads & access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.5 / −1.1 | 90 mm, ~6 rainy days; snow spells | Freezing nights, crisp days; deep cold after a snow spell | Snow, Winter Carnival (late Jan) | Solang–Atal Tunnel road shuts for ordinary cars after snow; 4×4 with chains only |
| February | 12 / 0.3 | 114 mm, ~7 days; snow spells | Still cold; heavy late-winter snow is common | Snow, skiing at Solang | Same snow restrictions; roads reopen in hours to days |
| March | 17.1 / 3.3 | 155 mm, ~8 days; wettest spring month | Cold mornings, slushy afternoons as snow melts | Quiet off-season trips | Rain and late snow can block the upper road |
| April | 21.4 / 6.4 | 88 mm, ~6 days | Mild days, cool nights; orchards in blossom | Families, budget trips | Tunnel road normally open; Rohtang still shut |
| May | 24.9 / 9.3 | 66 mm, ~6 days | Pleasant, sunny days; jacket at night | Families, honeymoon, Rohtang snow | Rohtang usually reopens mid- to late May (permit needed) |
| June | 26.4 / 13 | 90 mm, ~8 days | Warm days, cool evenings; peak crowds | Summer holidays, Rohtang | Heavy traffic; Manali–Leh and Manali–Kaza usually open by June–July |
| July | 25.7 / 16 | 202 mm, ~13 days; monsoon | Humid, frequent rain; landslide risk | Only flexible travellers | Landslides and river damage can cut the Kiratpur–Manali highway |
| August | 25.3 / 16.1 | 217 mm, ~15 days; wettest month | Wet, misty; least predictable month | Avoid unless flexible | Highest landslide and flood risk |
| September | 24.2 / 12.2 | 123 mm, ~8 days | Monsoon fades; clear spells return | Late-September trips, Lahaul | Roads recover through the month |
| October | 21.6 / 6.3 | 25 mm, ~2 days | Clear, dry, chilly nights; best views | Sightseeing, Leh/Spiti road trips (early month) | High passes can shut from mid-October (15 Oct 2026 this year) |
| November | 17.3 / 2.6 | 31 mm, ~2 days | Dry, sunny, cold nights near freezing | Budget trips, quiet hotels | Rohtang closes to tourists for winter; tunnel open |
| December | 13.5 / 0.3 | 39 mm, ~2 days; first town snow some years | Cold and mostly dry; Christmas–New Year rush | Snow at Solang/Sissu, holidays | Snow-day traffic jams near Solang and the tunnel |
When does it snow in Manali?
Snow reaches Manali from the top down. The high passes get it first, often in September or October; Solang and the Atal Tunnel portals follow in November or December; the town itself usually gets its first settled snow between mid-December and February. January and early February are the most reliable weeks for snow on the ground in town.
| Winter | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | First snow at Rohtang and the Atal Tunnel area on 23 November 2024; first flakes in town on 8–9 December; heavy snow on 23 December 2024 left more than 1,000 vehicles stuck between Solang and the tunnel and police moved about 700 tourists to safety. | The Tribune, 24 December 2024 |
| 2025–26 | A very dry start. The town stayed dry through December; the first widespread snow came on 23 January 2026, more than two feet in parts of Manali, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded for hours. | ThePrint / PTI, 23 January 2026; The Tribune, 25 January 2026 |
| 2026–27 so far | About four inches on Rohtang on 17–18 September 2026; fresh snow on Rohtang, Shinku La, Kunzum and Baralacha La on 10–11 October; the 15 October spell shut the Manali–Kaza and Manali–Leh roads beyond Lahaul. No settled snow in Manali town yet. | The Tribune, 18 September 2026; ThePrint / PTI, 15 October 2026 |
So a November trip gives you snow on the peaks and, on a good day, at the tunnel and Sissu, but not in town. For the full odds and where to go when the town is dry, see our Snowfall in Manali guide and the season tracker Himachal snowfall winter 2026-27.
Can you reach Rohtang, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu in each season?
| Road | Winter (Nov–Apr) | Summer (May–Oct) |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi/Chandigarh–Manali (Kiratpur–Manali highway) | Open; occasional delays after snow beyond Kullu | Open; monsoon landslides can block it for hours or days (July–August) |
| Manali–Solang | Open; police may stop cars at Palchan/Solang after heavy snow | Open |
| Atal Tunnel to Sissu and Keylong | Open most days; after fresh snow only 4×4 vehicles with chains, or no tourist traffic at all | Open |
| Rohtang Pass (3,978 m) | Closed to tourists, usually from mid-November or early December (tourist traffic stopped on 1 December in 2024) | Usually reopens around mid-May; online permit needed |
| Manali–Kaza via Kunzum | Closed since 15 October 2026; normally reopens June–July | Open in summer only |
| Manali–Leh via Baralacha La | Closed beyond Darcha since 15 October 2026 | Usually open roughly June to October |
The Atal Tunnel is 9.02 km long at about 3,000 m and opened in October 2020; it is why Sissu is now the easiest winter snow trip from Manali. It does not take you to Spiti or Leh in winter, because the passes beyond Lahaul stay shut. Our Atal Tunnel and Sissu snow trip page and the Rohtang permit and road status guide cover the details.
Getting there: Kullu (Bhuntar) airport has no Delhi flights in the 2026–27 winter schedule, so most people come by road from Chandigarh (about 290 km) or Delhi (about 540 km) — see our Delhi to Manali taxi page. On the day, check HP Police and Kullu district traffic advisories before heading up to Solang or the tunnel.
What should you pack for Manali?
Manali swings from freezing nights to warm sun in a single day, so pack in layers rather than one heavy coat.
| Season | What to pack |
|---|---|
| Dec–Feb | Thermal inners, fleece, down or padded jacket, woollen cap and gloves, waterproof boots with grip, lip balm, sunglasses. Snow suits and boots can be rented near Solang. |
| Mar–Apr | Fleece plus a warm jacket, waterproof shell for spring rain and slush, closed shoes. |
| May–Jun | Light layers by day, a jacket for evenings and Rohtang, sunscreen, cap. |
| Jul–Sep | Rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, sandals plus walking shoes, medicines for long road delays. |
| Oct–Nov | Warm jacket for evenings, light fleece by day, sunglasses; add thermals for Sissu. |
When is the best time to visit Manali?
| Trip type | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | Late December to February | Best odds of snow in town and deep snow at Solang and Sissu; keep one spare day. |
| Honeymoon | March–April, October–mid-December | Clear skies and quieter hotels; December adds a chance of snow up high. |
| Family | May–June, October | Mild days, everything open; May–June brings Rohtang but also peak crowds. |
| Budget | November, early December, March | Off-season hotel rates and dry weather. |
| Road trips to Spiti/Leh | June to early October | Kunzum and Baralacha La are open only in this window. |
Month-by-month detail: Manali in November, December, January, February and our best time to visit Manali guide.
What this means for your trip
For a November or early-December trip, expect clear days and cold nights, and plan your snow at the tunnel or Sissu rather than in town. For a snow holiday, book January or early February, keep a flexible day, and set off for Solang early before the police barriers go up. Avoid July–August unless your dates are flexible. Our Kullu Manali package, the Manali package from Delhi and the Manali trip cost guide help you budget; for a Lahaul extension the Manali travel guide has the sightseeing list.
More mountain weather: Shimla · Kasol · Kaza (Spiti) · All Himachal
Manali weather: frequently asked questions
Does it snow in Manali in November?
Rarely in town. November is one of the driest months (about 31 mm, two rainy days on IMD normals). Snow is likelier on Rohtang, at the Atal Tunnel and at Sissu; in 2024 the tunnel area got its first snow on 23 November.
Which month has the most snow in Manali?
January, followed by February. These are the coldest months, with average nights of −1.1°C and 0.3°C, and western disturbances bring regular snow spells. Late December is possible but less reliable.
How cold does Manali get in December?
IMD normals give an average December high of about 13.5°C and low of about 0.3°C. Nights below freezing are common in the second half of the month, and the record December low is −10°C.
Is the Atal Tunnel open in winter?
Usually yes, but after fresh snow police allow only 4×4 vehicles with chains beyond Solang, or stop tourist traffic altogether until the road is cleared. Check HP Police and Kullu district advisories on the day.
When does Rohtang Pass open and close?
Rohtang closes to tourists for winter, usually between mid-November and early December, and reopens around mid-May after snow clearance. An online permit is needed when it is open.
Is Manali safe to visit in the monsoon?
July and August are the wettest months, with more than 200 mm of rain each, and landslides can block the highway. Travel only with flexible dates and check road status daily.
Get a Manali plan built around the forecast
Send your dates, group size and hotel class. We plan the snow day around the forecast and the police advisories, and quote cab, hotels and sightseeing as one price.
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