Weather and Climate:

Jammu and Kashmir comprises of three distinct climatic regions with vast variance due to a sharp rise of altitude from 1,000 feet to 28,250 feet above sea level within four degrees of latitude of the state. The state is geologically constituted of rocks varying from the oldest period of earth's history to the youngest present day river and lake deposits.



Jammu
The Jammu region experiences a tropical climate.
Rainfall: 107 cm (July to September)

Best Season: October to April

Temperatures (Average)
Summer: 43.0 degree C to 23.4degrees C
Winter: 26.2 to 4.3 degrees C in:
Clothing: Heavy/Medium woollens in winter and light cottons in summer.

Kashmir
The mountainous tracts of the Himalayan mountains, the youngest mountain ranges in the world have temperate climatic conditions. The climate varies from alpine in the northeast to subtropical in the southwest. Annual average precipitation ranges from 3 inches (75 mm) in the north to 45 inches (1,150 mm) in the southwest.

Best Season: March to October

Temperatures (Average)
Summer: 10 to 30 degrees cent.
Winter:Low temperatures in winter
Clothing: Light/Medium woollens in summer and heavy woollens in winter.

Climate Of Jammu & Kashmir

The climate is one of opposites: while in summer time the heat builds upto breaking point in the foothills, people of Ladakh and Kashmir wait for the snow to melt.on the high passes. From October onwards, Jammu becomes a much more pleasant destination. However, the best time to enjoy vale of Kashmir and the adventures of Ladakh region is between the months of May and September.

Hot tropical weather with variations from region to region. Coolest weather lasts from November to mid-March, with cool, fresh mornings and evenings and dry, sunny days. Really hot weather, when it is dry, dusty and unpleasant, is between April and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.

Western Himalayas: Srinagar best from March to October. July to August can be unpleasant; cold and damp in winter. Shimla is higher and therefore colder in vinter and places like Pahalgam. Gulmarg and Manali under several feet of snow (December to March) and temperatures in Ladakh can be extremly cold. The road to Leh is open from June to October.

Required clothing: Lightweight to medium weights from March to October. Warmer wear for winter. Weather can change rapidly in mountains and it is therefore important to be suitably equipped.

Northern Plains: Extreme climate, warm inland from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers hot with monsoons between June and September. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing essential during monsoons.

Central India: Madhya Pradesh State escapes very worst of hot season but monsoons are heavy between July and September. Temperatures fall at night during winter.

Required clothing: Lightweights most of the year with warmer clothes during evenings particularly in winter. Waterproofing during monsoon rains.

Western India: November to February is most comfortable, although evenings can be cold Summers can be extremely hot with monsoon rainfall between mid-June and mid-September.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linen most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler winter and waterproofing essential in monsoon.

Southwest: The most pleasant weather is from November to March. Monsoon rains between late April and July. Summer temperatures hot as high as Northern India although humidity is extreme. Cooling breezes on coast . Inland, Mysore and Bijapur have pleasant climates with relatively low rainfall.