We use cookies to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information on how we use cookies and how you can disable them.
Weather Conditions in Jammu And Kashmir
Most people often prefer to pack their bags and head to Kashmir when the travel bug bites them. It’s after all one of the most beautiful places in the world. But there are others who still want to know the best time to visit Kashmir. Knowing its location and climate ahead of a visit is always advisable anyway.
Kashmir’s ethereal beauty will capture your heart and bewitch you for life, making you plan your next trip as soon as this one gets over. Most people say that the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir is during the summer. But others don’t mind visiting during winter, especially if they’re looking for the best time to visit Kashmir for snow.
Kashmir falls in the temperate zone, which means that it experiences all four seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter.
It doesn’t matter why you’re planning to visit Kashmir. But if you’re newly married and planning a romantic getaway, then the best time to visit Kashmir for honeymoon is in the summer. Summer in Kashmir extends from the months of June until August. This is the time when most people plan to visit the state which has often effusively been praised as being paradise on earth. Temperatures can vary between 14 to 30 degree Celsius, although sometimes summers have been known to be quite warm too.
In summer, while hotel prices might go up, the weather is delightful and a shikhara ride on the mirrored surface of the gorgeous Dal Lake in Srinagar is simply unmissable. The best time to visit Srinagar is in summer when you’ll get a chance to observe the way of life of people in the valley. The shikhara ride as it takes you across the Dal, stops over at one of the many floating establishments from where you can get some hot kahva to warm your insides. People also love to stay in the old-fashioned houseboats that are stationed on the lake and offer a delightful Kashmir experience. The Mughal Gardens are gorgeous and flowers bloom profusely during this time of the year. Many people believe it’s quite simply the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir.
Other places like Pahalgam and Sonmarg are also beautiful during the summer, making it the best time to visit Kashmir. The weather is clear and gorgeous. And the sights are simply breath-taking at this time of the year.
Most people might consider the monsoons to be an off-season in Kashmir. The advantage is that there are often good deals on hotels and tours so you will save money. The monsoons between September and November might get a bit chilly for your liking, so do come prepared with enough warm clothes as well as waterproof raincoats and umbrellas.
However, don’t let the weather discourage you. Some parts of Kashmir may not get much rainfall and the weather can be quite pleasant even during these months. It’s also the best time for apple-picking, so you might be able to enjoy this activity if you’re lucky.
Many people vouch for the mesmerising beauty of Kashmir during the autumn months of September and October. In fact, they might even say that it is the best time to visit Kashmir. Kashmir’s famed Chinar trees turn different hues of gold during this time of the year. Trees are lush with these red-yellow leaves, and the ground is carpeted with them.
Srinagar and its surrounding areas like Dachigam are unbelievably and hauntingly beautiful, making it quite possibly the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir. The weather is cool and not freezing cold. But it’s always a good idea to carry woollen clothes with you if you are coming from warmer climes and are not used to the chilly evenings.
If you love the idea of a winter land, covered with snow as far as the eye can see, then you will love visiting in the months from November to February. This is the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall. The weather is markedly colder now, with temperatures plunging to 0 and sometimes, well below. During winters, most people might be wary of visiting Kashmir, but there’s a good number of people who visit Gulmarg for adventure snow sports.
Jammu has milder winters than Srinagar, which is why it’s considered the winter capital. However, be prepared for a lot of snow if you’re visiting Srinagar, Gulmarg or Sonmarg. The Pir-Panjal range is blanketed with snow, providing you with some sights that will delight your heart. If you love the cold weather and don’t mind crunching through the snow in boots, then indeed, this is the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall.
Adventure enthusiasts can have their fill of skiing and snowboarding while the sights from the cable car rides are unforgettable. There’s snow all around you, and the sea of white becomes all the more pronounced in places like Gulmarg.
Kashmir has always been a popular destination for families and honeymooners. In fact, several Bollywood films have been shot here, adding to its allure. A shikhara boatman on the Dal Lake will happily educate you about the different locations and movies that have been shot here, while taking you around the lake.
No matter how much you’re prepared for it, Kashmir’s beauty will hit you hard and leave you breathless wanting for more. The sights, sounds and smells of this stunning valley, the smiles and kindness of the local Kashmiris will stay with you, long after you’ve left Kashmir. It will make you want to return soon, and you will realise that the best time to visit Kashmir is now, irrespective of what the weather is like.
Do check the SOTC website where you can select some of the popular Kashmir tour packages which will make your trip easier and help you create unforgettable memories.
