Shimla Weather by Month: Temperature, Snow & Best Time (2026)
Updated: November 2026
हिंदी में पढ़ें: शिमला का मौसम — आज और अगले 7 दिन का लाइव पूर्वानुमान →
Short answer: Shimla in November and December is clear, dry and cool rather than snowy: IMD normals give about 15°C by day in November and 12°C in December, with nights of 7°C and 4°C and fewer than two rainy days a month. Snow in town is mainly a January–February event (about 42–43 cm a month on long-term averages), and Kufri and Narkanda, higher up the same road, turn white more often. The live five-day forecast below updates through the day from MET Norway data; check the latest IMD forecast and road advisories too before you travel.
Live forecast: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) — last update —. Days already past are hidden automatically.
Quick answer: Shimla weather at a glance
- Altitude: about 2,200–2,300 m; Kufri (about 2,500 m) and Narkanda (about 2,700 m) are higher and colder.
- Coldest month: January, average 9.3°C by day and 1.7°C at night (IMD 1991–2020); record low −12.2°C in December 1963.
- Snow: about 4 snow days each in January and February and roughly one in December (IMD averages, 1990–2010).
- Monsoon: July and August bring 330–350 mm each, the wettest months by far.
- Roads: Kalka–Shimla stays open in winter; on snow days police often stop traffic beyond Dhalli towards Kufri and Narkanda.
- Toy train: the Kalka–Dharampur section is cancelled until 30 November 2026 for repairs; Dharampur–Shimla runs.
Planning Shimla for snow or the holidays?
Tell us your dates. We’ll keep one flexible day for Kufri or Narkanda and pick it from the forecast and the police advisories. Get a free quote · WhatsApp us · Call +91 70874 88961
What is the weather like in Shimla month by month?
Temperatures are IMD climate normals for Shimla for 1991–2020; snow figures are IMD averages for 1990–2010. Shimla is milder than most people expect: the average night stays above freezing in every month, though cold spells after snow push it well below.
| Month | Avg max / min (°C) | Rain / snow | What it feels like | Best for | Roads & access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.3 / 1.7 | 80 mm rain, ~42 cm snow, ~4 snow days | Coldest month; icy lanes after snow | Snow in town, Kufri/Narkanda | Dhalli–Kufri–Narkanda shut for hours after heavy snow |
| February | 10.3 / 2.4 | 83 mm rain, ~43 cm snow, ~4 snow days | Cold; late-winter snow spells | Snow, quieter than January | As January; black ice in shaded bends |
| March | 14.5 / 6.1 | 79 mm, ~7 cm snow | Cool, spring showers | Off-season deals | Normally open |
| April | 19.8 / 10.8 | 58 mm, ~4 rainy days | Mild days, cool nights | Families, sightseeing | Open |
| May | 23 / 13.6 | 82 mm, ~7 days | Pleasant; escape from plains heat | Families, summer holidays | Heavy weekend traffic |
| June | 23.8 / 15.1 | 192 mm, ~10 days | Warm early, monsoon arrives late in month | Early-June holidays | Pre-monsoon showers |
| July | 21.3 / 14.6 | 328 mm, ~17 days | Wet, foggy, frequent downpours | Only if flexible | Landslides possible on NH-5 and link roads |
| August | 20.5 / 14.2 | 351 mm, ~16 days; wettest | Wet and misty | Avoid unless flexible | Highest landslide risk |
| September | 20.4 / 12.9 | 165 mm, ~8 days | Monsoon eases late month | Late-September trips | Roads recover |
| October | 18.9 / 10.5 | 30 mm, ~2 days | Clear, crisp, best views | Sightseeing, couples | Open |
| November | 15.4 / 7 | 14 mm, ~1 day | Dry, sunny, cold evenings | Budget trips, clear views | Open; Hatu Peak may already have snow |
| December | 11.9 / 4 | 26 mm, ~7 cm snow, ~1 snow day | Cold nights, sunny days; Christmas rush | Holidays, ice skating, chance of snow | Year-end traffic jams; Dhalli closures after snow |
When does it snow in Shimla?
Snow in Shimla needs a western disturbance, the winter weather systems that move in from the west. December gets only about a third of January’s precipitation, which is why December snow in town is hit-and-miss. Kufri and Narkanda, 300–500 m higher on the same road, often get snow when the Ridge only gets rain.
| Winter | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | No snow in Shimla until 13 January 2023, when Kufri and Narkanda got 1–2 inches and the town only rain. | The Tribune, 13 January 2023 |
| 2024–25 | Light snow in town on 8 December 2024 while Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda turned white; more snow across the hill stations in Christmas week. | PTI via National Herald, 9 December 2024 |
| 2025–26 | Almost three months dry; the season’s first snow came on 23 January 2026, and travel beyond Dhalli on the Hindustan–Tibet Road was suspended. | The Tribune / ThePrint, 23 January 2026; Business Today, 25 January 2026 |
| 2026–27 so far | Hatu Peak above Narkanda had its first snow on 25 October 2026; no snow in Shimla town yet. | The Tribune, 25 October 2026 |
More detail on December odds and the holiday rush is in our Shimla in December guide; for snow-first trips read Kufri snowfall and Narkanda.
Can you reach Shimla, Kufri and Narkanda in winter?
| Road / service | Winter | Rest of the year |
|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh/Kalka–Shimla (NH-5) | Open; busy over Christmas–New Year | Open; monsoon slips possible |
| Shimla–Dhalli–Kufri–Narkanda (NH-5) | Often stopped beyond Dhalli for hours after snow; in January 2025 traffic at Narkanda was diverted via Sainj–Luhri | Open |
| Kalka–Shimla toy train | Kalka–Dharampur cancelled until 30 November 2026; Dharampur–Shimla running | Normally runs year-round |
| Shimla Mall and Ridge | Walkable; lanes ice up after snow | Walkable |
Local drivers carry chains and know where the barriers go up. Self-drive cars from the plains are the ones that slide on the Dhalli bends. See our toy train status update and the Chandigarh to Shimla taxi page. On the day, check HP Police and Shimla district traffic advisories.
What should you pack for Shimla?
Shimla is a walking town on steep slopes, so good shoes matter as much as warm clothes.
| Season | What to pack |
|---|---|
| Dec–Feb | Thermals, fleece, padded or down jacket, cap, gloves, boots with grip for icy lanes, moisturiser. |
| Mar–Apr | Light jacket and sweater, umbrella for spring showers. |
| May–Jun | Cotton by day, a light jacket for evenings, sunscreen. |
| Jul–Sep | Umbrella or rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, non-slip shoes. |
| Oct–Nov | Sweater or fleece, light jacket at night, sunglasses. |
When is the best time to visit Shimla?
| Trip type | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | January–February | About four snow days a month on average; Kufri and Narkanda more. |
| Honeymoon | October–November, March–April | Clear skies, quieter Mall Road, mild days. |
| Family | April–June | Pleasant days and all attractions open; book ahead for May–June. |
| Budget | November, early December, March | Low season rates and dry weather. |
| Festive | Late December | Christmas and New Year on the Ridge; book early and expect jams. |
More: Shimla in November, Shimla in January, best time to visit Shimla and Shimla tourist places.
What this means for your trip
Come in November or early December for clear views and easy roads; come in January–February if you want snow, and stay three nights so one day can follow the forecast to Kufri or Narkanda. Over Christmas–New Year, base yourself near the Mall or out at Mashobra or Chail to avoid the traffic. Our Chandigarh–Shimla package and Shimla Manali package from Delhi can be adjusted around the weather; the Shimla travel guide lists what to see.
More mountain weather: Chail · Kufri · Narkanda · Manali · All Himachal
Shimla weather: frequently asked questions
Does it snow in Shimla in December?
Sometimes, but not reliably. IMD averages show about one snow day and 7 cm of snow in December, against about four days and 42 cm in January. In 2024 Shimla had light snow on 8 December; in 2025 the first snow came only on 23 January 2026.
What is the coldest month in Shimla?
January, with an average high of 9.3°C and low of 1.7°C (IMD 1991–2020). The coldest temperature on record is −12.2°C, in December 1963.
Is Kufri colder than Shimla?
Yes, usually by about 2°C because it is roughly 300 m higher. On 4 January 2026, for example, Kufri recorded a minimum of 0.4°C against 2.6°C in Shimla (PTI).
Can I reach Kufri and Narkanda after snowfall?
Usually within hours to a day. After heavy snow police often stop traffic beyond Dhalli until the road is cleared. Go mid-morning and check HP Police advisories.
Is the Kalka–Shimla toy train running in November 2026?
Partly. Kalka–Dharampur trains are cancelled until 30 November 2026 for repairs, and only the Dharampur–Shimla section runs. Check IRCTC before booking.
When is the monsoon in Shimla?
From late June to September. July and August are the wettest months, with about 330–350 mm of rain each and frequent fog.
Get a Shimla plan with a weather buffer
Send your dates, group size and hotel class. We build in a flexible Kufri or Narkanda day and quote cab, hotels and sightseeing as one price.
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