Weather in Gilgit

Find out what the weather is like now in the city of Gilgit to better plan your time. Below you will find up-to-date meteorological reports, charts, and a detailed forecast.

The climate of Gilgit can be described as harsh and high-altitude, with low temperatures prevailing for most of the year. Due to its location in the mountainous terrain of Pakistan, the heat typical of the plains is absent here: even at the height of summer, the weather remains fresh and cool, and in winter, conditions become truly extreme. This destination is suitable for those seeking an escape from the heat and ready for the rugged majesty of mountain nature.

Seasonality is very clearly defined here, but with a shift towards the cold. Winter lasts a long time, effectively from October to April, bringing severe frosts: average temperatures in January and December drop to -16°C, and at night can reach -20°C. Summer is short and very mild; the warmest months, July and August, delight travellers with average temperatures around +14°C, rarely exceeding the +19°C mark.

An interesting feature of the weather in Gilgit is the nature of precipitation. Although the total volume in millimetres is extremely small, which is typical for arid regions, the number of "wet" days here is surprisingly high — up to 21 days a month during the summer period. This means the sky is often changeable, and light precipitation or snow can be frequent, albeit short-lived, companions on your journey.

The climate in Gilgit is characterised by severe winter conditions and a very restrained summer, which is typical for high-altitude regions. The coldest period falls in December and January, when the average temperature drops to approximately -16°C, and night frosts can reach extreme values around -20°C. Winter here is long and frosty, so travellers planning a visit at this time need to take care of special equipment and warm clothing.

The summer season brings long-awaited warming, yet even in the hottest months — July and August — there is no exhausting heat here. The average temperature at this time is around 14°C, and daily highs rarely exceed a comfortable +19°C. This makes summer the ideal time for those who do not tolerate heat well and prefer fresh, invigorating mountain air. At the same time, it is worth considering that even in summer, nights remain cool, with temperatures around +8...+9°C.

Spring and autumn in Gilgit are quite cold and short. For example, already in October, average figures go into the negative zone, and in April, the daytime temperature barely rises above zero. Throughout the year, there is a noticeable difference between day and night temperatures, averaging 5–10 degrees, so layered clothing will be relevant in any season.

Precipitation in Gilgit is distributed throughout the year in a rather unusual way: although the total volume of falling moisture remains extremely low (only 1–4 mm per month), the number of days with precipitation can be significant. It is difficult to distinguish a sharp rainy or dry season in the usual sense here, however, the summer months bring the highest frequency of weather phenomena.

The "wettest" period in terms of precipitation frequency is summer. In June, July, and August, travellers may encounter precipitation for 20–21 days a month. Given the positive temperatures at this time (on average up to +14°C), this is most often light rain or drizzle, which refreshes the air but rarely turns into heavy downpours.

In winter and early spring, the nature of precipitation changes due to harsh temperatures. From November to April, when the thermometer drops significantly below zero (to -15°C and lower), it snows in Gilgit. The driest month is considered to be December, when the minimum amount of precipitation (about 1 mm) and the fewest number of "wet" days in the year are recorded.

A trip to Gilgit requires careful wardrobe preparation, as the climate here is harsh and high-altitude. In winter and during the off-season, when the thermometer can drop to -20°C, high-quality warm clothing is vital for you. Be sure to take a set of thermal underwear, woollen sweaters, thick trousers, and a reliable down jacket with a hood. Do not forget about warm accessories: a hat, scarf, and gloves should be in your suitcase for most of the year, as even in spring and autumn, sub-zero temperatures persist here.

Summer in this region is cool and rather damp, with average temperatures around +14°C, so light clothes may not be useful. Even in July and August, the principle of layering is relevant: wear a t-shirt, a fleece jacket, and a windbreaker to easily adapt to weather changes. Given the high probability of precipitation in the summer months (up to 21 rainy days), it is critically important to have a quality raincoat, a waterproof jacket, and a rain cover for your backpack.

For comfortable movement across mountainous terrain, choose comfortable trekking boots with non-slip soles, preferably with water-repellent impregnation. Also, put sunglasses and cream with a high SPF factor in your luggage, since the mountain sun in Pakistan is very active even in cool or cloudy weather. A small backpack for day walks, where you can put extra clothes or water, will make your excursions much more comfortable.