Snowfall on Babusar Top can happen in any month, but the season has a clear pattern. The first real snow of autumn usually lands between mid-September and mid-October. Heavy snow arrives from late October, and the last significant snow of spring normally falls in late May or June, with the road cleared soon after.
This post is about the snow itself: when it starts, when it melts, and what has happened in recent years. For the road's opening and closing, see our post on whether Babusar Top is open or closed.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 4,173 m |
| First autumn snow | Typically mid-September to mid-October |
| Heavy snow starts | Late October to November |
| Last spring snow | Typically late May to June |
| Snow-free months | July and August, mostly |
| Closure in winter | Traffic is usually diverted to the KKH for several months |
A note on the dates
No agency publishes snowfall dates for the pass, and there is no weather station at the summit. The dates in this post come from two sources: modelled daily snowfall for the summit for 2015 to 2025, and news reports of actual closures. The model shows the pattern of a typical year but not what fell on a particular day, so read the ranges as guidance.
When does the first snow fall?
In the modelled record, the first day of at least 3 cm of snowfall at the summit came at these dates in recent years:
| Year | First autumn snowfall of 3 cm or more |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 September |
| 2016 | 8 October |
| 2017 | 17 September |
| 2018 | 15 September |
| 2019 | 7 October |
| 2020 | 14 November |
| 2021 | 10 October |
| 2022 | 20 October |
| 2023 | 2 October |
| 2024 | 16 September |
| 2025 | 19 September |
The range is wide, from early September to mid-November, but eight of the eleven years fall between 15 September and 10 October. Lighter snow, of a centimetre or two, can come earlier and is more common than the table suggests.
Real-world reports match the pattern. Dawn reported the road closed by unexpected early snow on 15 October 2023, and ProPakistani reported the first seasonal snowfall followed by heavy snow at Babusar Top in the last days of October 2024, with traffic stopped between Batakundi and the top.
When does the snow melt in spring?
The last snowfall of 3 cm or more in the modelled record ran as follows:
- May in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020
- Early June in 2019 (12 June), 2023 (1 June), 2024 (7 June) and 2025 (3 June)
- Late June in 2015, 2021 and 2022
So the last real snowfall of the year usually comes between late May and late June. That is snowfall, not melt. The snow already on the ground takes several weeks more to clear, and on the road it is cleared by machine, not left to melt.
In the model, snowpack on the summit falls close to zero during July and August, then starts building again in September and October. On the ground, glacier and snow patches can remain beside the road in July.
What the snowline looks like on the road
The top of the pass is only the last part of the route. Lower down, the Naran side climbs past Batakundi and Lulusar Lake before the final ascent, and each of those can carry snow when the lower valley does not. The Chilas side descends through less snowy country.
Dawn reported on 31 May 2026 that the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad road, closed since November, had recently reopened after glacier and snow clearing, and that district officials in Naran were urging caution because of continuing snowfall, one-way stretches and hazardous driving after 6pm. That is a good picture of an early-season trip: the road is open, but the conditions are still winter-like at the top.
How much snow lies on the pass in a typical year
The model shows the summit carrying its deepest snowpack from about March to May, when depth is well over a metre before it starts to fall away in June. By July the pass is effectively bare, and from September the pack begins to build again. In October and November it is thin at first, then thickens quickly once the heavy storms arrive.
Depth on the road is a separate matter, because crews clear the carriageway and wind strips the ridge. Do not read the model as a report on what the road surface looks like.
Snow in July and August
Snow in high summer is rare but not impossible. The modelled data shows days with 1 cm or more in July or August in only a few years out of eleven, mostly late August. Anyone going in mid-summer should still carry warm clothes, because a cold shower at 4,173 metres can fall as sleet.
What snow means for your plans
- Late May and June: the road may be newly open, with snow banked beside it and slush or ice on the surface. Go in the morning, in a vehicle you trust, and expect delays.
- July to mid-September: the most dependable period. Snow is unlikely to affect the road for long.
- Late September to October: first snow can close the road for a day or more. Check the forecast for Naran and Batakundi the night before, and turn round if snow starts.
- November to May: do not plan to cross. If you want to see the mountains in winter, do it from lower ground.
If you get caught, do not press on. In October 2023, dozens of travellers were stranded and had to be rescued to Chilas after the early snow, according to Dawn's report.
For the temperatures that go with this snowfall, see our guide to Babusar Top temperature, and for general season planning see when to go.
Is it safe to go?
The Babusar route is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against, and it is what most people use to avoid the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, which the UK does advise against. Foreign-passport holders should check their own government's advice, because it can affect insurance. Pakistani visitors use the route each summer. Check local news and police advice before you go.
The larger danger is weather. Snow, sleet, rockfall and poor visibility can change the road quickly, and driving after dark is discouraged by the Naran administration.
Frequently asked questions
When does it start snowing at Babusar Top?
Usually between mid-September and mid-October for the first real snowfall, with heavy snow from late October. Lighter snow can fall earlier.
When does the snow melt at Babusar Top?
The last significant snowfall is normally late May to June. The road is cleared for traffic in June in a normal year, and the snowpack on the summit is close to zero by July.
Does it snow at Babusar Top in July?
Rarely. July and August are the warmest months, but a cold spell can bring a dusting to the summit.
Can I see snow at Babusar Top in June?
Yes. In June there is often snow banked beside the road and more can fall. It is one of the reasons to go early in the season for the scenery, if you accept the cold.
What happens if it snows while I am on the road?
Turn back, or wait in Naran or Chilas rather than continue. Early snow in October 2023 stranded dozens of travellers who then needed rescue.
