Key takeaways
- For snow: December to February. Gulmarg’s nights average below freezing from November to March.
- For tulips and spring flowers: late March to April — the Srinagar tulip garden opened on 16 March in 2026.
- For green valleys and pleasant days: May to September, when Srinagar’s daytime highs are about 25–30°C.
- Busy: the Amarnath Yatra weeks in July–August crowd Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
The best time to visit Kashmir depends on what you want: December to February for snow in Gulmarg, late March to April for the tulip garden and spring blossom, and May to October for green meadows and comfortable sightseeing. The temperatures below are the India Meteorological Department’s averages for 1991–2020, so you can pack for the month you choose.
Kashmir weather by month
| Month | Srinagar (max / min °C) | Gulmarg (max / min °C) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 / -2 | 1 / -8 | Deep winter; snow in Gulmarg — the ski season |
| February | 11 / 1 | 2 / -6 | Snow; Gulmarg’s snowiest month with March |
| March | 16 / 4 | 5 / -3 | Spring begins; tulip garden opens mid- to late March |
| April | 21 / 8 | 10 / 2 | Tulips and blossom; mild days |
| May | 25 / 11 | 16 / 6 | Pleasant; meadows turn green |
| June | 29 / 15 | 19 / 9 | Warm in Srinagar, cool in the hills |
| July | 30 / 18 | 21 / 12 | Warmest month; Amarnath Yatra crowds |
| August | 30 / 18 | 21 / 12 | Warm; Yatra period continues |
| September | 28 / 13 | 19 / 9 | Clear and comfortable |
| October | 23 / 6 | 14 / 4 | Driest month in Srinagar; autumn colours begin |
| November | 16 / 1 | 9 / -1 | Cold nights; late-autumn colours |
| December | 10 / -2 | 5 / -5 | Winter arrives; snow in Gulmarg |
Figures are rounded from IMD’s 1991–2020 climate normals. March is Srinagar’s wettest month, and Gulmarg gets its heaviest snow and rain in February and March.
Winter (December to February): for snow
This is when Kerala families come for their first snow. Gulmarg (about 2,650 m) has, in the words of the Government of India’s tourism site, “pristine snow” from December to February; skiing is best from late January into February. Sonamarg can now be reached in winter too, since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025. Heavy snow sometimes closes the Jammu–Srinagar highway and delays flights, so winter trips need a buffer day. See our Kashmir winter snow tour.
Spring (March to April): tulips and blossom
Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar opened on 16 March in 2026 with about 18 lakh tulips. Opening dates vary each year with the weather, so plan spring trips for late March to April and check the announcement.
Summer (May to August): green valleys
Pahalgam’s meadows, Sonamarg’s glacier and Gulmarg’s gondola are at their greenest. Srinagar is warm (about 29–30°C in July) while Gulmarg stays cool. The Amarnath Yatra ran from 3 July to 28 August in 2026, when Pahalgam and Sonamarg are crowded and have road controls — the dates are announced each spring.
Autumn (September to November): clear skies
September and October bring clear weather — October is Srinagar’s driest month — and the start of autumn colours. November nights drop below freezing in Gulmarg. It is a quieter, good-value season for couples.
Which month suits your trip?
- Family with children, first snow: late December to February.
- Honeymoon: April–May for flowers, or October for clear skies and autumn colour.
- Elderly parents: May–June or September, avoiding extreme cold.
- Photography: October–November for autumn colours, or January for snow.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best month to visit Kashmir from Kerala?
December to February for snow, April for tulips and flowers, and May–June or September–October for pleasant weather and green valleys.
When does it snow in Gulmarg?
Gulmarg has snow from about December to February, and its nights average below freezing from November to March, according to IMD climate data.
When is the Srinagar tulip garden open?
It opens in spring — on 16 March in 2026 — and is best in late March and April. Dates change each year with the weather.
Is July a good time to visit Kashmir?
It is warm and green, but the Amarnath Yatra makes Pahalgam and Sonamarg crowded and brings road controls. May, June or September are calmer.
Weather averages are long-term normals; actual conditions vary each year. This article reflects official sources checked in September 2026.
