Narkanda Weather by Month: Temperature, Snow & Best Time (2026)
Updated: November 2026
Short answer: Narkanda in November and December is cold and mostly dry, about 3°C colder than Shimla: roughly 12°C by day and 4°C at night in November, and around 9°C and 1°C in December, often below freezing on clear nights. Hatu Peak above town already had its first snow on 25 October 2026; settled snow in Narkanda itself usually comes between late December and February. A live 5-day forecast is coming soon to this page; until then, check the latest IMD forecast before you travel.
Quick answer: Narkanda weather at a glance
- Altitude: about 2,700 m, on NH-5 about 65 km beyond Shimla; Hatu Peak above it is roughly 3,400 m.
- Temperatures: no IMD normals station; expect about 3°C colder than Shimla. On 4 January 2026 Narkanda recorded −1.5°C while Shimla was at 2.6°C (PTI).
- Snow window: late December to February; January and February are the most reliable months.
- This season: first snow on Hatu Peak on 25 October 2026.
- Roads: NH-5 at Narkanda can shut after even 1–2 inches of snow; traffic is then diverted via Sainj–Luhri.
- Skiing: a beginners’ slope runs in good snow years.
Narkanda for snow or skiing?
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What is the weather like in Narkanda month by month?
Narkanda has no IMD climate-normals station. The temperatures below are Shimla’s IMD 1991–2020 normals lowered by 3°C for the extra height of about 450–500 m, using the standard fall of about 6.5°C per 1,000 m; recent cold-night readings show a similar or bigger gap. Snow is more frequent and lasts longer than in Shimla.
| Month | Approx. max / min (°C)* | Rain / snow | What it feels like | Best for | Roads & access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 / −1 | Main snow month | Freezing nights, deep snow on Hatu | Snow, skiing (if snow) | NH-5 closures and diversions after snow |
| February | 7 / −1 | Regular snow spells | Cold; good snow cover | Skiing, snow walks | As January |
| March | 12 / 3 | Late snow possible | Cold mornings, melting | Quiet trips | Mostly open |
| April | 17 / 8 | Spring | Cool, apple blossom later in month | Families, Hatu drive | Hatu road usually clear |
| May | 20 / 11 | Light showers | Pleasant, cool | Summer holidays, camping | Open |
| June | 21 / 12 | Pre-monsoon | Mild | Family trips | Open |
| July | 18 / 12 | Monsoon | Wet, foggy | Only if flexible | Slips possible on NH-5 |
| August | 18 / 11 | Wettest | Wet, foggy | Avoid unless flexible | Slips possible |
| September | 17 / 10 | Monsoon eases; apple harvest | Clearing | Orchards, quiet trips | Orchard traffic |
| October | 16 / 8 | Dry; first snow on Hatu some years | Crisp, clear | Views, photography | Open |
| November | 12 / 4 | Dry | Sunny days, frosty nights | Budget trips, clear views | Open; Hatu road can ice |
| December | 9 / 1 | First town snow some years | Cold, often below freezing at night | Christmas, chance of snow | Closures after snow; carry chains |
*Approximate, derived from Shimla IMD normals (1991–2020) adjusted for height. Not an official Narkanda record.
When does it snow in Narkanda?
Narkanda gets snow more reliably than Shimla or Kufri because it is higher and further into the hills. Hatu Peak above town often gets its first dusting in October or November; the town and the ski slope need the bigger spells of late December to February.
| Winter | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Kufri and Narkanda got 1–2 inches on 13 January 2023 while Shimla had rain. | The Tribune, 13 January 2023 |
| 2024–25 | Good snow in the upper Shimla belt including Narkanda just before Christmas; Narkanda was among the busiest snow spots over New Year. In January 2025, 1–2 inches disrupted NH-5 at Narkanda. | The Tribune, 24 December 2024 and 16 January 2025; All India Radio, 31 December 2024 |
| 2025–26 | A dry start; the region’s first major snow came on 23 January 2026. Narkanda recorded −1.5°C on 4 January 2026. | The Tribune / ThePrint, 23 January 2026; PTI, 5 January 2026 |
| 2026–27 so far | First snow on Hatu Peak on 25 October 2026. | The Tribune, 25 October 2026 |
Is the road to Narkanda open in winter?
NH-5 from Shimla through Kufri and Theog to Narkanda is kept open through winter, but it is the first main road in the Shimla hills to suffer when snow falls. Even 1–2 inches can stop traffic at Narkanda, and police then divert vehicles by the lower Sainj–Luhri–Shimla route until the highway is cleared (The Tribune, 16 January 2025). The Hatu Peak road is narrow and is often blocked by snow for longer.
| Road | Winter | Rest of the year |
|---|---|---|
| Shimla–Kufri–Theog–Narkanda (NH-5) | Open on most days; closures beyond Dhalli and at Narkanda after snow | Open |
| Narkanda–Hatu Peak road | Often snowbound after spells; walk the last part | Open |
| Narkanda–Rampur–Kinnaur | Open; Kinnaur is the winter route to Spiti | Open |
Check HP Police and Shimla district advisories on the day. Continuing into Kinnaur? See Shimla to Kalpa.
What should you pack for Narkanda?
Narkanda is noticeably colder than Shimla after dark, and many guesthouses are basic, so pack for the night as much as the day.
| Season | What to pack |
|---|---|
| Dec–Feb | Thermals, down jacket, waterproof gloves, woollen cap, waterproof boots; for skiing, check our Narkanda skiing page for current gear options. |
| Mar–Apr | Warm jacket, waterproof shoes. |
| May–Jun | Light layers, jacket for evenings, sunscreen. |
| Jul–Sep | Rain jacket, non-slip shoes. |
| Oct–Nov | Fleece and a warm jacket; nights can be near freezing. |
When is the best time to visit Narkanda?
| Trip type | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Snow and skiing | January–February | Most snow and the best chance of the ski slope running. |
| Honeymoon | October–November, April | Clear views, quiet orchards. |
| Family | April–June | Mild and green; easy Hatu drive. |
| Budget | November, March | Low season. |
What this means for your trip
If snow is the goal, Narkanda is the most reliable easy snow spot near Shimla, but it is also where roads shut first. Stay in Narkanda or Shimla with a spare day, set off once the road is reported clear, and carry chains. Read our Narkanda travel guide and Narkanda snow and skiing page, and compare with the Kufri weather page.
More mountain weather: Shimla · Kufri · Kaza (Spiti) · All Himachal
Narkanda weather: frequently asked questions
When does it snow in Narkanda?
Settled snow usually comes between late December and February, with January and February the most reliable months. Hatu Peak above town can get snow much earlier; in 2026 it had its first snow on 25 October.
How cold is Narkanda in December?
There are no official normals for Narkanda, but it runs about 3°C colder than Shimla. Expect days around 9°C and nights near or below freezing.
Is Narkanda colder than Kufri?
Usually, yes. It is about 200 m higher. On 4 January 2026 Narkanda recorded −1.5°C and Kufri 0.4°C (PTI).
Is NH-5 to Narkanda open in winter?
Yes on most days, but snow can stop traffic for hours. In January 2025, 1–2 inches of snow disrupted the highway and traffic was diverted via Sainj–Luhri. Check HP Police advisories.
Can you ski in Narkanda?
Only in good snow years, usually January–February, on a beginners’ slope. Check our Narkanda skiing page before you go.
Is Hatu Peak open in winter?
The road is often blocked by snow after a spell, and the last part may have to be walked. In dry spells it is drivable with care.
Plan a Narkanda snow trip
Send your dates and group size. We plan around the forecast and road advisories and quote cab and hotels as one price.
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