Uttarakhand Snowfall Prediction 2026–27: When Will It Snow? Month-by-Month Calendar
"When will it snow in Uttarakhand?" is one of the most searched winter questions, and the honest answer is: it depends on how high you go. Snow reaches Kedarnath weeks before it reaches Mussoorie, and some years Nainital gets none at all. This guide gives you the Uttarakhand snowfall time for every season stage, a month-by-month calendar for 2026–27, and how to read the forecast so you can time your trip.
Short answer: First snow on the high peaks and Char Dham shrines in late October–November. Chopta and Auli from late November–December. Mussoorie, Nainital and Dhanaulti mostly in January. Heaviest snow: January and February.
Why Snow Comes When It Does
Uttarakhand's winter snow is brought by western disturbances, weather systems that travel from the Mediterranean region across Pakistan and north India. Each one brings 2–4 days of cloud, rain in the valleys and snow on the mountains, followed by clear, very cold days. A typical winter has several of these spells between December and March.
Whether a spell brings snow to a particular place depends mainly on altitude. As a rough guide:
- Above 3,000 m (Kedarnath, Badrinath, high treks): snow from almost every spell, from October onwards.
- 2,500–3,000 m (Auli, Chopta, Kanatal): snow from most winter spells, late November to March.
- 2,000–2,500 m (Mussoorie's higher points, Dhanaulti, Mukteshwar, Munsiyari): snow from the stronger spells, mainly December to February.
- Below 2,000 m (Nainital lake area, Ramgarh, Ranikhet): snow only in the coldest spells, usually January, and not every year.
Uttarakhand Snowfall Calendar 2026–27
| Month | Where it usually snows | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| October | Highest peaks, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund | First light snow late in the month; towns dry and clear |
| November | Char Dham shrines, high treks, sometimes Chopta | Shrines close for winter; first snow on high meadows |
| December | Chopta, Auli, Munsiyari, Harsil, Kanatal, Dhanaulti | Snow season begins properly, especially after mid-December |
| January | All snow places, including Mussoorie and Nainital | Peak month; coldest and snowiest |
| February | Auli, Chopta, Munsiyari, Dhanaulti, treks | Deep snow up high; good skiing at Auli |
| March | Auli and high treks | Late spells refresh snow; melting starts lower down |
Planning around a particular month? Read our detailed guides for October, November, December and January.
First Snowfall by Destination
| Destination | Usual first snow | Most snow | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kedarnath & Badrinath | Late Oct – Nov | Dec – Feb (shrines closed) | — |
| Chopta & Tungnath | Late Nov – Dec | Jan – Feb | Chopta in winter |
| Auli | Dec | Jan – Feb | Auli snowfall |
| Munsiyari | Dec | Jan – Feb | Munsiyari |
| Dhanaulti & Kanatal | Late Dec | Jan | Snow near Mussoorie |
| Mussoorie | Late Dec – Jan | Jan | Mussoorie snowfall |
| Nainital & Mukteshwar | Jan | Jan – Feb | Nainital snowfall |
Is There a Snowfall Prediction for 2026?
Be careful with any website or video that gives an exact "snowfall date". Snow can only be forecast a few days ahead, when a western disturbance is actually on its way. Long-range outlooks can say whether a winter is likely to be wetter or drier than normal, but they cannot tell you which day Mussoorie will turn white.
What you can do is watch for the signs a few days out:
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Meteorological Centre, Dehradun issues district-wise forecasts and colour-coded alerts. A yellow or orange alert for "snowfall at higher reaches" for Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri or Pithoragarh is the clearest signal.
- Temperatures near freezing plus precipitation. If a place's forecast shows 0–2°C with rain or snow symbols, snow is likely there.
- A drop in temperature with thick cloud after a few sunny days often means a western disturbance is arriving.
Our Uttarakhand snowfall today page links to live weather for every snow destination so you can check conditions the evening before you travel.
How to Time a Snow Trip
- Want to be sure of snow on the ground? Go high (Auli, Chopta) in January or February. Snow from earlier spells will still be lying around even if it is sunny when you arrive.
- Want to see it actually falling? Keep your dates flexible and travel when IMD forecasts a western disturbance. The day after a spell is usually the most beautiful, with fresh snow and blue sky.
- Short trip from Delhi? Aim for a weekend right after a snow spell at Dhanaulti or Kanatal, and leave early to beat the traffic.
- Trekking? Winter treks like Kedarkantha and Brahmatal are snowy from December to March regardless of what is happening in the towns.
What Happens After Heavy Snowfall
Heavy spells close roads, sometimes for a day or two: the road to Auli above Joshimath, the Chopta stretch between Ukhimath and Gopeshwar, the Dhanaulti road and the Kalamuni pass on the way to Munsiyari are the usual trouble spots. Power and mobile networks can also go down in smaller villages. Always keep a buffer day and check road status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Uttarakhand me snowfall kab hogi?
Uttarakhand me pehli barf October–November me sirf oonchi chotiyon aur Kedarnath-Badrinath jaise dhaam par girti hai. Chopta aur Auli me late November–December se, aur Mussoorie-Nainital jaise hill stations me zyadatar January me snowfall hota hai. Sabse zyada barf January aur February me padti hai.
When does snowfall start in Uttarakhand?
The first snow of the season usually reaches the highest peaks and shrines like Kedarnath, Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib in late October or November. Chopta and Auli normally get their first snow between late November and late December, and Mussoorie and Nainital in January.
Is there snowfall in Uttarakhand?
Yes. Every winter Uttarakhand gets snowfall above roughly 2,000 m. High places like Auli, Chopta and Munsiyari stay snow-covered for weeks, while hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital get a few days of snow, mostly in January.
What is the snowfall date in Uttarakhand for 2026?
Nobody can give a fixed date. Snowfall comes with western disturbances, and the India Meteorological Department forecasts them only 3–5 days ahead. The reliable window is late December to February, with January the safest bet.
Is there snowfall in Uttarakhand in December?
Yes, in the higher places. Chopta, Auli, Munsiyari, Harsil and Kanatal often get snow in the second half of December. Mussoorie and Nainital rarely do before late December. See our December guide for details.
Which month has the most snowfall in Uttarakhand?
January, followed by February. Late-season spells in early March also add fresh snow at Auli and on the treks.
Where to Go Next
See all twelve snow destinations compared in our Uttarakhand snowfall places guide, or let the AI Trip Planner build a snow trip around your dates.
