Srinagar Weather by Month: Temperature, Snow & Best Time (2026)
Updated: November 2026
Short answer: Srinagar in November and December is dry, sunny and turning properly cold: IMD normals give about 16°C by day and 1°C at night in November, and 10°C by day and −1.6°C at night in December, with only 3–5 wet days a month. Snow in the city is a January–February event and some winters it comes late; Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam turn white much earlier. Chillai Kalan, the 40 coldest days, starts on 21 December. A live 5-day forecast is coming soon to this page; until then, check the latest IMD forecast before you travel.
Quick answer: Srinagar weather at a glance
- Altitude: about 1,585 m — the lowest and mildest base in the Valley.
- Coldest month: January, average 7.1°C by day and −1.9°C at night (IMD 1991–2020). On 21 December 2024 Srinagar fell to −8.5°C, its coldest December night since 1990.
- Wettest months: March and April (about 90–105 mm each, rain and late snow); September to December are driest.
- Snow in the city: January–February in most years; in 2025–26 the first city snow came only on 23 January 2026.
- Chillai Kalan: 21 December to 30 January, the harshest stretch of winter.
- Getting in: heavy snow can shut the Jammu–Srinagar highway and delay flights for a day or two.
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What is the weather like in Srinagar month by month?
Temperatures and precipitation below are IMD climate normals for Srinagar for 1991–2020 (precipitation includes rain and melted snow, with the average number of wet days). Srinagar is far milder than the resorts around it: Gulmarg, about 1,000 m higher, averages 6–8°C colder.
| Month | Avg max / min (°C) | Rain / snow | What it feels like | Best for | Roads & access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1 / −1.9 | 64 mm, ~8 wet days; snow some days | Coldest month, freezing nights, foggy mornings | Snow in the city (some years), Chillai Kalan | NH-44 and flights can halt after heavy snow |
| February | 10.5 / 0.7 | 85 mm, ~10 days; snow and rain | Cold; late snow spells | Snow, Gulmarg skiing trips | Snow disruptions possible |
| March | 15.5 / 4.3 | 105 mm, ~11 days; wettest month | Cool and showery; spring starts late month | Tulip garden (mid-March onwards) | Rain can slow mountain roads |
| April | 20.6 / 7.9 | 92 mm, ~11 days | Mild, fresh, blossom | Tulip garden, families | Generally open |
| May | 24.7 / 11.2 | 64 mm, ~11 days | Pleasant, green | Families, honeymoon | Open |
| June | 28.5 / 15 | 46 mm, ~8 days | Warm days, cool nights | Peak season, Sonamarg | Busy roads |
| July | 30 / 18.4 | 64 mm, ~9 days | Warmest month (about 30°C) | Houseboats, gardens | Amarnath Yatra convoys on Sonamarg road |
| August | 29.7 / 17.8 | 65 mm, ~9 days | Warm, occasional storms | Summer holidays | Yatra traffic early in month |
| September | 27.6 / 13.1 | 37 mm, ~6 days | Clear, mild | Couples, photography | Open |
| October | 23 / 6.2 | 22 mm, ~3 days; driest | Crisp, sunny; chinars turn red | Autumn colour | High passes may see first snow |
| November | 15.9 / 1.2 | 28 mm, ~4 days | Cold nights near freezing, sunny days | Chinar season, budget trips | Mughal Road and high roads close as snow sets in |
| December | 9.9 / −1.6 | 27 mm, ~5 days | Freezing nights; Chillai Kalan from 21 Dec | Snow at Gulmarg, New Year | Heavy-snow days hit NH-44 and flights |
Record lows (IMD): −14.4°C in January, −12.8°C in December.
When does it snow in Srinagar?
Srinagar sits in the floor of the Valley, so snow there needs a strong western disturbance and cold air in place. The resorts get snow first and more often; the city may see rain on days when Gulmarg gets a foot of snow.
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 20–21 December 2024 | First night of Chillai Kalan: Srinagar −8.5°C, coldest December night since 1990; parts of Dal Lake froze. | Kashmir Reader / PTI via National Herald, 21 December 2024 |
| 31 December 2025 | Snow in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam; rain in Srinagar (minimum 2.2°C). | IANS via Lokmat, 1 January 2026 |
| 9 January 2026 | Coldest night of the season at −6°C, still with no snow in the city. | Greater Kashmir |
| 23 January 2026 | First snow of the season in the plains including Srinagar; Jammu–Srinagar highway closed and flights cancelled for the day. | Republic, 23 January 2026; Skymet |
| 13–14 October 2026 | Season’s first snow on Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Zojila and Razdan Pass; none in Srinagar. | OneIndia / Hans India, October 2026 |
Read our Kashmir snowfall guide for the full season picture and where snow is most reliable.
Can you reach Srinagar in winter?
| Route | Winter | Rest of the year |
|---|---|---|
| Flights to Srinagar | Run all winter; snow at the airport can delay or cancel flights for a day | Normal |
| Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat train | Running since June 2025; services can be hit by heavy snow | Normal |
| Jammu–Srinagar highway (NH-44) | Closes for a day or more after heavy snow near Banihal | Open; monsoon slides possible |
| Mughal Road (Shopian–Poonch) | Shuts after snow at Pir Ki Gali and usually stays closed through winter (e.g. closed after snow on 22 December 2025) | Open in summer |
| Srinagar–Sonamarg (Z-Morh tunnel) | Reachable all year since January 2025 | Open |
Fly in if you can in winter, and do not book a tight same-day connection home. Rail details are in our Katra to Srinagar train guide. Check the J&K Traffic Police advisory and J&K Tourism / district police updates on the morning you travel.
What should you pack for Srinagar?
Indoor heating decides how comfortable a winter Srinagar trip is. Pack warm, and ask whether your hotel or houseboat has heating.
| Season | What to pack |
|---|---|
| Dec–Feb | Thermals, down jacket, woollen cap, gloves, warm socks, waterproof boots, moisturiser; a pheran from the local market is a good extra layer. |
| Mar–Apr | Sweater, light jacket, umbrella, closed shoes. |
| May–Aug | Cotton, sunglasses, sunscreen, light jacket for evenings and the resorts. |
| Sep–Nov | Layers, warm jacket by November, scarf; nights get cold fast. |
When is the best time to visit Srinagar?
| Trip type | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | Late December to February | Gulmarg is reliably white; city snow in some years. |
| Honeymoon | April–June, September–October | Pleasant weather, gardens and shikara rides. |
| Family | April–June | Mild days and all day trips running. |
| Budget | November, early December, March | Off-season rates and quieter roads. |
| Tulips and autumn | Late March–April; late October–November | Tulip garden in spring; red chinars in autumn. |
Month guides: Kashmir in November, December, January and February.
What this means for your trip
For November–December, plan Srinagar as a sunny, cold base and choose a heated room; snow is more likely at Gulmarg than in the city. For snow in the city, aim for January–February and keep a buffer day in case the highway or flights stop. Our Srinagar tourist places and Dal Lake houseboat guides, and the Kashmir tour packages page help you plan; see also the Kashmir weather hub.
More mountain weather: Gulmarg · Pahalgam · Sonamarg · All Kashmir
Srinagar weather: frequently asked questions
Does it snow in Srinagar in December?
Sometimes, but city snow is more common in January and February. In 2025–26 Srinagar got its first snow only on 23 January 2026, while Gulmarg was white from December.
How cold is Srinagar in December?
IMD normals give about 9.9°C by day and −1.6°C at night. Cold snaps go much lower: −8.5°C on 21 December 2024 was the coldest December night since 1990.
What is Chillai Kalan?
The 40 harshest days of Kashmir’s winter, from 21 December to 30 January, when the coldest nights and heaviest snow are most likely.
Is Dal Lake frozen in winter?
Parts of it can freeze during severe cold snaps, as on 21 December 2024, but it rarely freezes solid. Shikara rides usually run on most winter days around midday.
Is the Jammu–Srinagar highway open in winter?
Usually, but it closes for a day or more after heavy snow near Banihal, as on 23 January 2026. Check the J&K Traffic Police advisory before setting out.
What is the best month to visit Srinagar?
April–June and September–October for pleasant weather; late March–April for the tulip garden; January–February for snow.
Get a Kashmir plan built around the weather
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