Climate Overview
The climate in Kargil is cold. The average annual temperature is -5°C and approximately 884mm of precipitation falls per year. April is the wettest month, receiving around 102mm of rainfall. Kargil is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, September. The coldest months are December, January, February, when temperatures can drop to -23°C. Kargil experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Kargil has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 39°C from the coldest to warmest months. August is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 16°C with a mean of 10°C. December brings the harshest conditions, with lows dropping to -23°C and an average temperature of -18°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 11°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 8°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Kargil is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 884mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 74mm per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 102mm of rainfall. January and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is October, with just 29mm. That's 73mm less than April, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the first half (January to June) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Kargil receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 614cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is April, with approximately 102cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Kargil is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 0km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is August, averaging 1km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in January, with average winds dropping to 0km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind speeds vary significantly across the year, with a 1km/h difference between the calmest and windiest months. This level of variation is worth factoring into travel plans.
Seasons
92 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in Kargil, which began on June 21, 2026. Kargil is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 16°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in December near -23°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 92 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from -17 to 2°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 240mm for the season, averaging 80mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 0km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from -4 to 16°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 248mm for the season, averaging 83mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from -16 to 12°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 160mm for the season, averaging 53mm per month. Expect around 106cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. Layered clothing works best as temperatures gradually cool — enjoy the crisp air and changing scenery.
Winter
Temperatures range from -23 to -11°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 237mm for the season, averaging 79mm per month. Expect around 237cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 0km/h. Heavy layering and insulated outerwear are essential — exposed skin should be minimised outdoors.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Kargil based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.