Weather in Leh

Stay up to date with the current weather conditions in Leh before starting your adventure. In this section, you will find the latest data, detailed charts, and forecasts to help you plan your trip effectively.

Leh possesses a unique cold high-altitude desert climate, characterised by extreme temperatures and low humidity. The weather here is quite harsh, due to its geographical location in the Himalayas. For most of the year, sub-zero temperatures prevail in the city, so travellers should carefully choose their gear.

Winter in this region is long and frosty: from November to March, averages often drop to -20°C and below. Summer here is very short and cool, falling mainly in July and August, when the air warms up to maximum comfortable values of around +15°C. This is the best time to visit, although even in summer, the nights can be cold.

A characteristic feature of the climate is the extremely low amount of precipitation in millimetres, although overcast or "wet" days occur quite frequently, especially during the summer period. Precipitation is very scarce (about 1-2 mm), most often falling as light snow or fine rain. Thanks to the dry air and high altitude, the sun shines very brightly here, so UV protection is necessary even in cloudy weather.

The climate in Leh is harsh and distinguished by extremely low temperatures for most of the year, due to the region's high-altitude location. The winter period here is long and frosty: the coldest months are January and December, when the average temperature drops to -20°C, and night minimums can reach a piercing -26°C. Even during the day in winter, the thermometer rarely rises above -14°C, so a trip during this season requires serious preparation and special equipment.

Summer in this region of India is nothing like the tropical heat of the rest of the country; it is short and quite cool. The warmest month is considered to be August, when the average temperature is about +10°C, and daily highs reach a comfortable +15°C...+16°C. July also offers relatively mild conditions, however, even at the height of summer, the air rarely warms up significantly above these values, maintaining an invigorating freshness.

A characteristic feature of the weather in Leh is the noticeable daily temperature fluctuations. Even in the warmest season, nights remain cold: for example, in August after a daytime high of +16°C, the temperature drops to +4°C...+5°C by night. In the spring and autumn months, the contrast is even more pronounced, when daytime temperatures can hover around zero or a slight "plus", while nights bring severe frosts.

The climate in Leh can be characterised as cold and arid, which is typical for a high-altitude desert in the Himalayas. Precipitation falls here in extremely small volumes throughout the year: according to statistics, the average monthly moisture level remains at just 1–2 mm. This means that there are no prolonged downpours or powerful monsoons here, which are characteristic of the rest of India.

The winter period, which lasts quite a long time here due to harsh temperatures (the average temperature in January drops to -20°C), brings precipitation exclusively in the form of snow. From November to April, the number of days with precipitation varies from 8 to 10 per month. The snow here is dry and fine, and although snowfalls are not abundant in volume, low temperatures allow the snow cover to persist on peaks and passes.

The summer months, especially from June to August, stand out in terms of precipitation frequency: in June, up to 16 "wet" days are recorded. However, do not be alarmed by this figure — with a total precipitation volume of 2 mm, this most often manifests as light, short-term drizzle or cloudiness that quickly dissipates. The driest months in terms of precipitation frequency are October and December, when only about 6 days with precipitation are recorded.

A trip to Leh requires careful wardrobe preparation, as the high-altitude climate dictates its own harsh conditions. Even if you are planning a trip during the warmest months (July and August), when the daytime temperature rises to +15°C, nights remain cold. In winter, from November to March, the thermometer often drops below -20°C. Therefore, the basis of your luggage, regardless of the season, should be warm clothes: high-quality thermal underwear, woollen sweaters, fleece jackets, and a reliable winter jacket or down coat.

The best strategy for a comfortable stay in this region of India is the principle of layering. The weather can change during the day, and the ability to quickly remove or put on a layer of clothing will be very handy. Be sure to take a windproof windbreaker or a jacket with a membrane, as cold winds are not uncommon here. For walking on rocky terrain and sightseeing, sturdy, comfortable trekking shoes with non-slip soles are necessary.

Besides clothing, it is critically important to take care of protection from the sun and dry air. At high altitude, ultraviolet radiation is very aggressive, so sunscreen with a high factor (SPF 50+), dark glasses with UV protection, and a hat are mandatory even in cloudy weather. We also recommend taking moisturising face cream and lip balm to avoid windburn and dry skin.