Last updated: January 18, 2025
Jammu and Kashmir, India, showcases a diverse climate characterized by several Koppen-Geiger classifications including Cwa, Cfb, Dfb, and Cwb. The region experiences a broad temperature range, with minimums plunging to -25°C (-12°F) in January and soaring to maximums of 45°C (113°F) in May. Averaging 14°C (57°F) throughout the year, this climate supports a rich variety of ecosystems and agricultural practices, making it a unique area of study for climatologists and environmentalists alike.
The temperature patterns in Jammu and Kashmir exhibit distinct seasonal trends, reflecting the region's varied climate. Winter months from January to February are marked by subfreezing minimums, with January reaching lows of -25°C (-12°F) and February slightly warmer at -18°C (0°F). As spring approaches in March and April, temperatures gradually rise, peaking in April at a maximum of 42°C (107°F), indicating a sharp transition toward warmer conditions. May continues this upward trend, recording maximums of 45°C (113°F), while June and July stabilize around warm averages of 22°C (71°F) and 23°C (74°F) respectively. The subsequent months of August and September experience a slight cooling trend, with September presenting comfortable averages of 21°C (70°F). Autumn, marked by significant temperature drops, leads to cooler weather in October and November, culminating in December's cold spells, with minimums plunging back down to -20°C (-4°F). This cyclical pattern illustrates the region's capacity for dramatic temperature fluctuations throughout the year.
Srinagar experiences a temperature range from a minimum of -14°C (7°F) in January to a maximum of 34°C (94°F) in August, as detailed in the monthly temperatures in Srinagar. Katra has a more extreme range, with temperatures reaching as low as -2°C (28°F) in January and peaking at 39°C (103°F) in May, highlighted in the monthly temperatures in Katra. Meanwhile, Gulmarg features minimum temperatures of -16°C (4°F) in January and a maximum of 31°C (88°F) in August, which can be explored further in the monthly temperatures in Gulmarg.
Jammu and Kashmir experiences a complex precipitation pattern throughout the year, primarily influenced by the region's alpine climate. The winter months of January and February witness significant moisture, with approximately 145 mm (5.7 in) and 143 mm (5.6 in), respectively, falling over 9 days each month. This trend continues through March and April, where precipitation peaks at 153 mm (6.0 in), maintaining heavy rainfall with around 12 days of precipitation. However, as May approaches, the monthly average drops to 103 mm (4.0 in), indicating a shift towards drier conditions leading into the summer months.
The monsoon season, typically spanning July and August, brings substantial rainfall, with July recording an impressive 315 mm (12.4 in) over 23 days, making it the wettest month of the year. August follows with 231 mm (9.1 in), showcasing the region's reliance on seasonal rains for replenishing water resources. After this peak, precipitation diminishes significantly in September, followed by a marked decline in October, with only 44 mm (1.7 in) recorded over 6 days. November and December see a slight increase in rainfall but overall remain drier as winter intensifies, wrapping up the year's precipitation cycle.
In Jammu and Kashmir, sunshine duration exhibits a notable seasonal progression that significantly influences the region's climate. Beginning in winter, January provides 214 hours of sunshine, gradually increasing through February with 267 hours. This upward trend continues robustly into the spring months, with March receiving 316 hours and April leading to 337 hours. May marks a peak in sunshine, basking in 382 hours, and this elevated sunshine duration persists into June, revealing how the onset of summer enhances sunlight exposure, beneficial for both agriculture and recreation.
As summer transitions to autumn, July remains quite sunny with 369 hours, while August experiences a slight dip to 352 hours, indicating a gradual decrease as the season changes. The months of September and October see a modest decline in sunshine, with 337 hours and 326 hours, respectively. By November and December, the region faces a notable reduction in sunlight, dropping to 274 hours and 275 hours. This cyclical pattern underscores both the agricultural potential during the sunnier months and the challenges posed by shorter daylight periods in winter, highlighting the region's climatic diversity throughout the year.
Jammu and Kashmir experiences significant variations in the UV Index throughout the year, reflecting the region's unique climate and geography. Winter months begin with January displaying a UV Index of 7, indicating high exposure levels and a burn time of 25 minutes. As the season transitions into February, the UV Index elevates to 8, moving into the very high exposure category, with burn times reducing to 15 minutes. The trend escalates dramatically in the spring and summer months, peaking in May and July, when the UV Index reaches 14, categorized as extreme, necessitating protective measures within just 10 minutes of exposure. This pattern emphasizes the need for sun safety as the days grow warmer.
As the year progresses, the UV Index begins to decrease gradually. In August, it remains at a high of 13, before dropping slightly to 11 in September, still maintaining an extreme exposure category. By October, the UV Index declines further to 9, categorized as very high, with a burn time of 15 minutes. The transition to late autumn and winter shows a more noticeable drop, with November recording a UV Index of 6 (high exposure) and December down to 5 (moderate exposure), along with increased burn times of 25 and 30 minutes, respectively. This seasonal fluctuation underscores the importance of adapting sun safety practices accordingly throughout the year in Jammu and Kashmir.
UV Risk Categories
In Jammu and Kashmir, the duration of daylight experiences a noticeable variation across the seasons, reflecting the region's geographical location. During the winter months of January and February, daylight remains relatively short, consistently at 10 hours. As spring approaches in March, daylight begins to extend to 11 hours, signaling the gradual transition towards longer days. April and May bring further increases, with daylight extending to 13 hours, marking a period where the region enjoys more sunlight as temperatures warm.
The peak of daylight duration occurs in the summer months of June and July, both reaching 14 hours, providing ample time for outdoor activities and agricultural pursuits. As August rolls in, daylight slightly decreases to 13 hours, maintaining a semblance of summer brightness. The transition to autumn sees a gradual decline in daylight hours; by September, it drops to 12 hours, before further reducing to 11 hours in October. Finally, November and December witness the shortest days of the year, with daylight plummeting to 10 hours and 9 hours, respectively, as winter takes hold. This cyclical pattern of daylight duration plays a crucial role in influencing the region's climate, ecology, and human activities throughout the year.
The climate in Anantnag, India, is characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January sees temperatures ranging from -22°C to 10°C, while summer months like July and August have averages around 19°C and maximums reaching 29°C. Precipitation peaks in July with 174 mm and is relatively lower in October with 38 mm. Anantnag enjoys significant sunshine, especially in May and June, with around 384 and 385 hours respectively. For more detailed information, visit Anantnag climate.
Awantipur, India experiences a diverse climate with sharp contrasts between winter and summer. January sees temperatures ranging from a chilling -18°C (1°F) to a moderate 9°C (48°F), while July boasts warmer highs of 28°C (83°F). The region receives significant rainfall, particularly in July with 456 mm (18.0 in), contributing to its lush landscapes. Sunshine is abundant, peaking in May with 380 hours and gradually tapering off in the winter months. For more details, visit Awantipur climate.
Banihal, India experiences a diverse climate characterized by cold winters and moderate summers. January sees temperatures ranging from -20°C to 12°C, while summer months like July and August reach a maximum of around 30°C. Precipitation is significant in the winter, peaking at 166 mm in January, while summer months are relatively drier. The region enjoys ample sunshine, with May boasting the most hours at 384. For more detailed information, visit Banihal climate.
Baramula, India experiences a diverse climate throughout the year, with harsh winters and mild summers. January sees the lowest temperatures, averaging -4°C (25°F) and significant precipitation of 140 mm (5.5 in), while July and August are the warmest months, averaging 20°C (68°F) to 31°C (88°F) with high rainfall. The region enjoys an abundance of sunshine, peaking in June with 389 hours. For more detailed information, visit Baramula climate.
Bhadarwah, India experiences a diverse climate throughout the year, with winter temperatures ranging from a frigid -17°C (2°F) in January to mild conditions in May, peaking at 26°C (80°F). The region receives significant rainfall, particularly in July, which averages 293 mm (11.6 in). Sunshine hours are abundant, especially from March to June, with May offering the highest at 384 hours. This unique combination of temperatures and precipitation contributes to the rich biodiversity of the area. For more detailed information, visit Bhadarwah climate.
Gandarbal, India, experiences a diverse climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. January temperatures range from a minimum of -15°C to a maximum of 11°C, while July sees much warmer conditions with highs of 31°C. Precipitation is highest in the winter months, peaking in April with 121 mm, and gradually decreases towards summer. The region enjoys abundant sunshine, particularly in May and June, with over 379 hours of sunlight. For more detailed information, visit Gandarbal climate.
Gulmarg, India experiences a diverse climate throughout the year, characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January sees temperatures ranging from -16°C to 12°C, with significant snowfall peaking in March and April when precipitation reaches about 175 mm and 180 mm, respectively. As the months progress, temperatures rise, peaking in July and August with averages around 20-31°C, while rainfall decreases to 95 mm in September. The area enjoys abundant sunshine, notably in May with 382 hours, making it an attractive destination for both winter sports and summer activities. For more detailed information, visit Gulmarg climate.
Jammu, India, experiences a diverse climate with hot summers and mild winters. January sees temperatures ranging from 1°C to 23°C, while May peaks with highs of 45°C. The region receives significant rainfall, especially during the monsoon months of July and August, accumulating 326 mm and 234 mm, respectively. Sunshine is plentiful, peaking in May with 381 hours, contributing to the warm conditions. For more detailed information, visit Jammu climate.
Katra, India experiences a diverse climate with distinct seasonal variations. Winter months from December to February feature cooler temperatures, with January dipping as low as -2°C (28°F) and averaging around 8°C (47°F). The summer months peak in May and June, showcasing maximum temperatures reaching up to 39°C (103°F), accompanied by significant rainfall, particularly in July, which sees an average of 387 mm (15.2 in) of precipitation. The region enjoys abundant sunshine, particularly in the spring and early summer, with May boasting 383 hours of sunlight. For more detailed information, visit Katra climate.
Kulgam, India experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Winter months, particularly January and February, can see temperatures dip as low as -16°C (4°F), while summers from June to August typically reach highs around 31°C (88°F). Precipitation is highest during the monsoon season in July, averaging 499 mm (19.6 in), while drier months like October receive only about 105 mm (4.1 in). The area enjoys substantial sunshine, peaking at 385 hours in June. For more details, visit Kulgam climate.
Kupwara, India experiences a diverse climate throughout the year, marked by cold winters and mild summers. January sees temperatures ranging from -15°C to 10°C, with significant snowfall, while July and August enjoy milder weather, averaging 19°C and maxing out at 28°C. Precipitation peaks in July at 209 mm, contributing to the region's lush greenery, while the sunniest months are May and June, with over 380 sunshine hours. For detailed climatic conditions, visit Kupwara climate.
Pahlgam, India experiences a diverse climate with cold winters and mild summers. January sees the lowest temperatures, with averages around -8°C (18°F) and significant snowfall, while July is the warmest month with averages at 16°C (61°F). Precipitation peaks in July with 193 mm (7.6 in), contributing to a lush landscape, but the region also enjoys ample sunshine, particularly in May and June with over 380 hours each month. Visitors can expect a range of conditions throughout the year, making it a unique destination for nature lovers. For more details, visit Pahlgam climate.
Pulwama, India experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. Winters are cold, with January temperatures ranging from -16°C to 13°C, while summers are mild to warm, peaking at 31°C in July and August. Precipitation is highest during the monsoon months of July and August, accumulating about 499 mm and 396 mm respectively. Notably, sunshine is abundant in the summer, with May recording 384 hours. For more detailed information, visit Pulwama climate.
Qazigund, India experiences a varied climate throughout the year, with winter months seeing average lows around -4°C (25°F) in January and highs reaching up to 12°C (54°F) in February. Spring brings gradual warming, with March temperatures averaging 3°C (38°F) and peaking at 20°C (68°F). The summer months of June and July are warm, averaging 15°C (59°F) and 19°C (66°F) respectively, while also experiencing significant rainfall, particularly in July with 174 mm (6.9 in). Autumn sees a drop in temperature again, with November averaging 2°C (36°F) and a decreasing trend in precipitation. For more detailed information, check the Qazigund climate.
Ramgarh, India experiences a diverse climate with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -3°C (27°F) in January to a maximum of 35°C (95°F) in June. Precipitation varies significantly throughout the year, with July seeing the highest rainfall at 296 mm (11.6 in), while October receives only 13 mm (0.5 in). The region enjoys abundant sunshine, particularly in May with 384 hours, creating a warm and bright atmosphere during the summer months. For more detailed information about the climate in Ramgarh, visit Ramgarh climate.
Ramnagar, India, experiences a diverse climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Winters (December to February) are cool, with average temperatures ranging from 9°C (48°F) to 12°C (54°F) and moderate precipitation, particularly in January and February. Summer months (March to June) are hot, with maximum temperatures reaching up to 40°C (104°F) and high humidity. The monsoon season (July to September) brings heavy rainfall, peaking in July with 298 mm (11.7 in), while October to November sees a drop in temperature and rainfall. For more details, visit Ramnagar climate.
Srinagar, India experiences a diverse climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January temperatures can drop to -14°C (7°F), while July reaches a maximum of 33°C (92°F). Precipitation varies significantly, with July receiving the highest rainfall at 443 mm (17.4 in), while October sees the least at 85 mm (3.3 in). Sunshine is abundant from March to June, peaking in May with 380 hours. For more detailed information, visit Srinagar climate.
Tsrar Sharif, India experiences a varied climate throughout the year, with winter temperatures ranging from a minimum of -13°C in January to a maximum of 28°C in August. Precipitation peaks in July at 737 mm, while the driest month is October with only 119 mm. Sunshine hours are abundant from March to June, with May enjoying the highest at 384 hours. The region also witnesses significant snowfall during the colder months, contributing to its unique weather patterns. For more detailed information, visit Tsrar Sharif climate.
Udhampur, India experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. January to March features cool temperatures, with January averaging around 5°C (41°F) and rising to 12°C (54°F) in March. The summer months of May and June bring warmer conditions, peaking at 35°C (95°F) with substantial rainfall, particularly in July when precipitation reaches 413 mm (16.3 in). The region enjoys ample sunshine, particularly in May, which sees about 384 hours of sun. For more detailed information, visit Udhampur climate.
In conclusion, Jammu and Kashmir exemplifies a rich tapestry of climatic conditions, characterized by distinct seasonal variations in temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight hours. The interplay of these factors shapes the region’s ecosystem, agricultural practices, and lifestyle throughout the year. The transition from harsh winter to the vibrant warmth of summer reflects not only the beauty of the natural environment but also the necessity for adaptation to changing conditions. As climate dynamics continue to evolve, understanding these patterns becomes crucial for sustainable development and environmental conservation in Jammu and Kashmir.