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Leh is the capital of Ladakh, built at 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) in a high-altitude cold desert where the Himalaya block most monsoon rain. The town gets around 90 to 100mm of precipitation a year and roughly 300 days of clear sky, but the temperature range is extreme: July days reach 25°C (77°F) while January nights fall to -14°C (7°F). Use this Leh weather by month breakdown to pick your dates, then check the best time to visit Leh guide for travel windows and the where to stay in Leh guide for hotels.
Leh Weather by Month: The Cold Desert Climate
Leh’s climate is classified as a cold desert (Köppen BWk). The town sits in the rain shadow of the Zanskar and Ladakh ranges, so the southwest monsoon that floods the rest of India between June and September drops only light rain here. Annual precipitation averages 93mm, most of it in July and August. Sunshine totals about 3,000 hours a year, and because the air is thin and dry, UV levels run very high, around 8 to 11 on the UV index in summer. Nights stay cold all year because dry air and clear skies radiate heat away fast. See the full Leh travel guide for an overview of the town and its seasons.
Leh Weather by Month: January to April
- January is the coldest month. Average high -1°C (30°F), average low -14°C (7°F), about 10mm of snow or rain. The Zanskar river freezes hard enough to walk on during the Chadar trek, and many hotels and restaurants close for the season. Daytime sun is strong, but shade and wind feel much colder.
- February warms a little: high 2°C (36°F), low -11°C (12°F), about 9mm. Losar, the Ladakhi New Year, and the Dosmoche masked dances usually fall in February. The Manali and Srinagar highways stay closed by snow, so the airport is the only way in.
- March reaches 7°C (45°F) by day and -5°C (23°F) at night, with 12mm of precipitation, the wettest month of the cold season. The first melt begins and apricot trees start to flower in late March. Both mountain highways usually remain shut until May.
- April climbs to 12°C (54°F) high and -1°C (30°F) low, with just 7mm. Snowmelt refills the streams and lower villages green up. Airport landings become more reliable, though the high passes are still snowbound.
Leh Weather by Month: May to August
- May is when the tourist season opens. High 17°C (63°F), low 4°C (39°F), 7mm of rain. The Leh-Manali and Srinagar-Leh highways typically reopen in mid to late May, and day tours to Khardung La and Nubra Valley restart. Nights still need a jacket.
- June is the driest month with about 4mm of rain. High 21°C (70°F), low 8°C (46°F). This is peak season: long daylight, open passes, and the Sindhu Darshan festival on the Indus river. Book hotels and taxis weeks ahead.
- July is the warmest month at 25°C (77°F) high and 11°C (52°F) low, with 13mm of rain, the wettest month. Short afternoon showers are possible but the rain shadow keeps totals low. The Hemis festival with its masked Cham dances falls in late June or early July, part of the Leh events and festivals calendar.
- August stays warm at 24°C (75°F) high and 10°C (50°F) low, with 13mm. Cloud cover increases a little and occasional cloudbursts can wash out mountain roads. Treks on the Markha Valley and Stok Kangri routes are in full swing.
Leh Weather by Month: September to December
- September drops to 21°C (70°F) high and 5°C (41°F) low with 8mm. This is many travellers’ favourite month: clear skies, harvest colours, and the Ladakh Festival in the first half. Nights turn frosty at altitude by late September.
- October brings 14°C (57°F) highs and 0°C (32°F) lows with 5mm. The high passes get their first snow in the second half of the month and the highways usually close by late October. Daytime sightseeing is still comfortable with layers.
- November averages 8°C (46°F) high and -6°C (21°F) low with 6mm. Flights keep running but schedules thin out, and many guesthouses shut. Remaining visitors get empty monasteries and crisp blue skies.
- December sees 1°C (34°F) highs and -11°C (12°F) lows with 9mm. The town quiets down, the Zanskar river begins to freeze, and hotels cut rates. Power and water shortages are common in the coldest weeks.
Leh Weather by Month: Temperature and Rainfall Table
These are long-term monthly averages for Leh town, measured at 3,500 metres above sea level:
| Month | High °C | High °F | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1 | 30 | -14 | 10 |
| February | 2 | 36 | -11 | 9 |
| March | 7 | 45 | -5 | 12 |
| April | 12 | 54 | -1 | 7 |
| May | 17 | 63 | 4 | 7 |
| June | 21 | 70 | 8 | 4 |
| July | 25 | 77 | 11 | 13 |
| August | 24 | 75 | 10 | 13 |
| September | 21 | 70 | 5 | 8 |
| October | 14 | 57 | 0 | 5 |
| November | 8 | 46 | -6 | 6 |
| December | 1 | 34 | -11 | 9 |
Leh Weather by Month: What to Pack Each Season
- Summer (June to September): light layers for 25°C days, a warm fleece and down jacket for freezing nights, sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen, and a wide-brim hat for the intense UV.
- Shoulder seasons (May and October): pack the same warm layers plus a beanie and gloves for early-morning and evening drives over the passes.
- Winter (November to April): a heavy down jacket rated to -20°C, insulated boots, thermals, and a high-quality sleeping bag if you trek the frozen Zanskar on the Chadar route; see the Leh travel tips and FAQ page for winter logistics.
For a broader view of the region, see the Leh neighborhoods guide and the things to do in Leh list.
