Srinagar's Climate and Weather Overview
Srinagar experiences a slightly continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Rainfall is moderate, with spring being the wettest season. Located in the extreme northwest of India in the Jammu and Kashmir territory, the city sits at 34 degrees north latitude and 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) above sea level. The Jhelum River, one of the five rivers of Punjab, flows through Srinagar before heading towards Pakistan. The surrounding valley is flanked by mountains exceeding 4,000 meters (13,100 feet), which are perpetually snow-covered.
During winter and spring, weather disturbances are more common in Srinagar compared to the lower areas of India. Winters can bring snow and frost, with temperatures dropping as low as -9 °C (16 °F) in January 1977 and 1986. Summers see occasional rainfall due to the Indian monsoon, which affects the city from June 22 to September 24. However, the monsoon is intermittent at this latitude, leading to periods of dry, hot weather.
### Best Time to Visit
The ideal times to visit Srinagar are during spring and autumn, particularly from mid-April to late May and in October. Autumn tends to be drier and sunnier compared to spring. Summers can be very hot and rainy, but temperatures in the mountains are more moderate.
### Climate Data
**Average Temperatures:**
- Coldest month (January): 2.7 °C (36.9 °F)
- Warmest month (July): 24.4 °C (75.9 °F)
**Precipitation:**
- Annual total: 670 mm (26.4 inches)
- Driest month (November): 20 mm (0.8 inches)
- Wettest month (March): 105 mm (4.1 inches)
**Sunshine:**
- Annual total: 2,205 hours
### Monthly Weather Summary (1991-2020)
**January:**
- Average temperature: 2.7 °C (37 °F)
- Coldest nights: -5.5 °C (21.5 °F), record low: -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in 1995
- Warmest days: 12 °C (53 °F), record high: 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) in 2010
- Precipitation: 75 mm (3 inches), 8 days
- Sunshine: 2.5 hours/day (24% of the time)
- Humidity: 80%
- Wind speed: 2 kph (1 mph)
**February:**
- Average temperature: 5.8 °C (42 °F)
- Coldest nights: -3 °C (26 °F), record low: -6.6 °C (20.1 °F) in 2008
- Warmest days: 15.5 °C (60 °F), record high: 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) in 2020
- Precipitation: 70 mm (2.8 inches), 7 days
- Sunshine: 3.5 hours/day (33% of the time)
- Humidity: 75%
- Wind speed: 2 kph (2 mph)
**March:**
- Average temperature: 10.4 °C (51 °F)
- Coldest nights: 0 °C (32 °F), record low: -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in 2003
- Warmest days: 22.5 °C (73 °F), record high: 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in 2018
- Precipitation: 105 mm (4.1 inches), 10 days
- Sunshine: 4.5 hours/day (37% of the time)
- Humidity: 67%
- Wind speed: 3 kph (2 mph)
**April:**
- Average temperature: 14.6 °C (58 °F)
- Coldest nights: 3.5 °C (38.5 °F), record low: 0 °C (32 °F) in 2017
- Warmest days: 26.5 °C (80 °F), record high: 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) in 2011
- Precipitation: 80 mm (3.1 inches), 10 days
- Sunshine: 6.5 hours/day (48% of the time)
- Humidity: 60%
- Wind speed: 3 kph (2 mph)
**May:**
- Average temperature: 18.3 °C (65 °F)
- Coldest nights: 7 °C (44.5 °F), record low: 1 °C (33.8 °F) in 2004
- Warmest days: 30.5 °C (87 °F), record high: 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) in 2001
- Precipitation: 65 mm (2.6 inches), 7 days
- Sunshine: 7.5 hours/day (55% of the time)
- Humidity: 60%
- Wind speed: 3 kph (2 mph)
**June:**
- Average temperature: 21.9 °C (71 °F)
- Coldest nights: 11 °C (52 °F), record low: 8.9 °C (48 °F) in 2015
- Warmest days: 33.5 °C (92 °F), record high: 36.5 °C (97.7 °F) in 2005
- Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4 inches), 5 days
- Sunshine: 8 hours/day (57% of the time)
- Humidity: 57%
- Wind speed: 3 kph (2 mph)
**July:**
- Average temperature: 24.4 °C (76 °F)
- Coldest nights: 14.5 °C (57.5 °F), record low: 10.3 °C (50.5 °F) in 2009
- Warmest days: 34 °C (93 °F), record high: 37 °C (98.6 °F) in 1999
- Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4 inches), 7 days
- Sunshine: 8 hours/day (55% of the time)
- Humidity: 64%
- Wind speed: 3 kph (2 mph)
**August:**
- Average temperature: 23.5 °C (74 °F)
- Coldest nights: 13.5 °C (56.5 °F), record low: 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) in 2005
- Warmest days: 33.5 °C (92.5 °F), record high: 35.7 °C (96.3 °F) in 2020
- Precipitation: 65 mm (2.6 inches), 7 days
- Sunshine: 7.5 hours/day (54% of the time)
- Humidity: 67%
- Wind speed: 2 kph (1 mph)
**September:**
- Average temperature: 20.4 °C (69 °F)
- Coldest nights: 8.5 °C (47 °F), record low: 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) in 2007
- Warmest days: 31.5 °C (88.5 °F), record high: 33.5 °C (92.3 °F) in 2004
- Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2 inches), 4 days
- Sunshine: 7.5 hours/day (62% of the time)
- Humidity: 64%
- Wind speed: 2 kph (1 mph)
**October:**
- Average temperature: 14.6 °C (58 °F)
- Coldest nights: 2 °C (36 °F), record low: -0.8 °C (30.6 °F) in 1993
- Warmest days: 27.5 °C (81.5 °F), record high: 31.1 °C (88 °F) in 2008
- Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2 inches), 4 days
- Sunshine: 7.5 hours/day (64% of the time)
- Humidity: 66%
- Wind speed: 2 kph (1 mph)
**November:**
- Average temperature: 8.5 °C (47 °F)
- Coldest nights: -2 °C (28 °F), record low: -4.8 °C (23.4 °F) in 1995
- Warmest days: 21 °C (70 °F), record high: 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) in 2000
- Precipitation: 20 mm (0.8 inches), 2 days
- Sunshine: 6 hours/day (60% of the time)
- Humidity: 74%
- Wind speed: 2 kph (1 mph)
**December:**
- Average temperature: 4 °C (39 °F)
- Coldest nights: -5.5 °C (22.5 °F), record low: -7.7 °C (18.1 °F
