Uttarakhand in October 2026: Weather, Temperature by City & Best Places
October is the month most travellers wish they had picked for Uttarakhand. The monsoon has just left, the air is washed clean, and the Himalayan peaks that hide behind clouds for most of the year stand out sharp against a deep blue sky. This guide covers the weather and temperature in Uttarakhand in October city by city, where to go, what to pack, and how the month changes from the first week to the last.
October at a glance: Dry and sunny · Warm foothills (29–31°C days), cool hills (18–20°C), cold high Himalaya (near freezing at night) · Clearest mountain views of the year · Char Dham open all month · Most Corbett zones reopen on 15 October
Uttarakhand Weather in October
October is the start of Uttarakhand's post-monsoon season. In most years the monsoon has withdrawn by the end of September, so the month is overwhelmingly dry, sunny and stable. Humidity drops sharply, haze disappears, and visibility is the best it will be all year. That is why October is the favourite month for photographers and anyone who wants to actually see the snow peaks from Mussoorie, Nainital, Kausani or Chopta.
The one thing that changes through the month is the cold. The first week still feels like late summer in the foothills, while by the last week mornings are properly chilly in every hill station and the high Himalaya is already in early winter.
Temperature in Uttarakhand in October (City by City)
Temperature in Uttarakhand depends far more on altitude than on the calendar. As a rule of thumb, every 1,000 m of climb is about 6°C colder. These are typical daytime highs and night-time lows for October:
| Place | Altitude | Day (max) | Night (min) | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 372 m | 29–31°C | 17–19°C | Warm, T-shirt weather |
| Haridwar | 314 m | 29–31°C | 17–19°C | Warm |
| Dehradun | 640 m | 27–29°C | 15–17°C | Pleasant |
| Uttarkashi | 1,158 m | 24–26°C | 11–13°C | Mild, cool evenings |
| Almora | 1,640 m | 22–24°C | 11–13°C | Mild |
| Mussoorie | 2,005 m | 18–20°C | 9–11°C | Cool, sweater at night |
| Nainital | 1,938 m | 18–20°C | 9–11°C | Cool |
| Joshimath | 1,890 m | 19–21°C | 8–10°C | Cool |
| Munsiyari | 2,200 m | 15–17°C | 4–6°C | Cold nights |
| Auli | 2,800 m | 11–13°C | 1–3°C | Cold |
| Chopta | 2,680 m | 10–12°C | 1–3°C | Cold |
| Badrinath | 3,133 m | 10–12°C | -1–1°C | Very cold at night |
| Kedarnath | 3,583 m | 7–9°C | -3 to -1°C | Freezing at night |
These are typical ranges, not a forecast. For the actual temperature today, check our live weather pages for Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainital and Auli.
Weather by Region
Foothills: Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun
Still warm in the day and comfortable at night. Early October can feel muggy around noon, but by the end of the month evenings in Dehradun need a light jacket. It is excellent weather for river rafting in Rishikesh, which restarts after the monsoon break.
Mid hills: Mussoorie, Nainital, Almora, Lansdowne
This is the sweet spot of October. Days are sunny and around 18–22°C, perfect for walking Mall Road, Camel's Back Road or around the lake. Nights drop to about 10°C, so carry a warm layer. See our Mussoorie 2-day itinerary and Nainital places to visit for ready-made plans.
High Himalaya: Auli, Chopta, Munsiyari, Char Dham
Sunny and crisp in the day but genuinely cold after sunset, with frost on the grass in the mornings. Late October can bring the season's first snow to the highest shrines and peaks, though not usually to Auli or Chopta yet. If you want to know when snow actually starts, see our Uttarakhand snowfall calendar.
First Half vs Second Half of October
| 1–15 October | 16–31 October | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Warmer, a stray post-monsoon shower possible | Fully dry, colder nights |
| Mountain views | Very good | The best of the year |
| Crowds | Moderate, rising around Dussehra | Busy in the run-up to Diwali |
| High-altitude treks | Ideal | Cold, first snow possible above 3,500 m |
Best Places to Visit in Uttarakhand in October
- Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila: Clear sunrise views of Chaukhamba, Trishul and Nanda Devi. October is arguably the best month for this trek. Full details in our Chopta Tungnath trek guide.
- Auli: No snow yet, but empty meadows, golden oak forests and huge views of Nanda Devi. Drive up from Joshimath.
- Kausani & Munsiyari: Two of the widest Himalayan panoramas in Kumaon, at their clearest in October. See Kausani and Munsiyari.
- Nainital & Mussoorie: Comfortable sightseeing weather without the summer crush.
- Jim Corbett National Park: Most safari zones reopen on 15 October after the monsoon closure. The famous Dhikala zone usually follows on 15 November. See our Jim Corbett safari guide.
- Char Dham: Clear roads and thinner crowds before the temples close for winter. See our Char Dham Yatra 2026 guide.
- Offbeat villages: October is perfect for quieter places like Chakrata, Binsar and Khirsu. See Uttarakhand offbeat places.
Festivals in October
Dussehra falls in October in 2026, and Diwali follows in early November, so the second half of the month is festive and busy. Hill towns light up, and many families travel during the school break, which pushes up hotel prices around the long weekends. Book ahead if you are travelling in the week before Diwali. Eleven days after Diwali, the hills celebrate their own festival of lights, Igas Bagwal.
Sharad Navratri also falls in October, when Shakti shrines across the state draw large crowds. One of the most visited is the Purnagiri temple near Tanakpur. See our Purnagiri temple guide for weather and how to reach.
What to Pack for October
- Foothills: Cotton clothes, sunscreen, a light jacket for evenings.
- Mussoorie, Nainital: Layers plus a fleece or sweater for nights around 10°C.
- Auli, Chopta, Char Dham: Thermals, a down jacket, gloves, a woollen cap and good trekking shoes. Nights here are at or below freezing.
- Sunglasses and lip balm everywhere above 2,000 m. The October sun is strong and the air is dry.
Sample 5-Day October Itinerary
- Day 1: Delhi to Rishikesh, evening Ganga Aarti.
- Day 2: Rishikesh to Ukhimath or Chopta via Devprayag and Rudraprayag.
- Day 3: Sunrise trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila, overnight in Chopta.
- Day 4: Chopta back towards Rishikesh, or on to Mussoorie.
- Day 5: Return to Delhi.
Want a version built around your own dates and budget? Use the AI Trip Planner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Uttarakhand in October?
October is dry, sunny and clear across Uttarakhand. Expect warm days of 25–31°C in Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun, pleasant 18–20°C days in Mussoorie and Nainital, and cold, crisp weather in high places like Auli and Chopta where nights drop close to freezing.
What is the temperature in Uttarakhand in October?
It depends on altitude. Typical ranges are 17–31°C in Rishikesh, 15–29°C in Dehradun, 9–20°C in Mussoorie and Nainital, 1–13°C in Auli and Chopta, and roughly -3 to 9°C at Kedarnath. Every 1,000 m you climb is about 6°C colder.
Does it rain in Uttarakhand in October?
Very little. The monsoon usually withdraws by late September or the first days of October. A short shower is possible in the first week, but most of the month is dry with clear blue skies.
Does it snow in Uttarakhand in October?
Not in towns. The highest peaks and shrine areas such as Kedarnath, Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib can get their first light snowfall in late October, but places like Auli, Mussoorie and Nainital normally see snow only from December onwards.
Is October a good time for the Char Dham Yatra?
Yes, it is one of the best windows. Roads are repaired after the monsoon, skies are clear and crowds are smaller than in May–June. All four temples stay open through October and close around Diwali and Bhai Dooj.
What should I wear in Uttarakhand in October?
Light cotton for Rishikesh and Dehradun, a sweater or fleece for evenings in Mussoorie and Nainital, and a proper down jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap for Auli, Chopta or the Char Dham.
Plan the Next Months Too
Travelling a little later? See how the weather changes in Uttarakhand in November (first snowfall and Char Dham closing), Uttarakhand in December (snow trips and New Year) and Uttarakhand in January (peak snow). Only have a couple of days? Pick one of the best weekend trips from Delhi. For the full year at a glance, read our best time to visit Uttarakhand guide.
