In winter, Quetta averages about 12 to 15°C by day and around minus 2 to 0°C at night from December to February, with January the coldest month; the lowest temperature on record is minus 18.3°C, on 8 January 1970. Overall it has a cold semi-arid climate: winters are genuinely cold and occasionally snowy, summers are warm but far more bearable than the plains, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable time to visit. At 1,680 metres, it's Pakistan's highest major city, and that altitude shapes everything about its weather.
This guide goes month by month through what to expect, and what to pack for each season.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,680 m |
| Coldest month | January, about 11.8°C by day and minus 1.9°C at night |
| Record low | Minus 18.3°C, 8 January 1970 |
| Warmest month | July, about 36.8°C by day, cooling to about 21.6°C at night |
| Most pleasant months | March, April, October, November |
| Rainfall | Low, about 300 mm a year; no monsoon season |
| Source | PMD averages for 1991 to 2020, via Wikipedia |
Weather now in Quetta 1,680 m
Live weather loads here.
When it snows: A few snowy days in most winters, most often in January; higher ground nearby gets more. More on the seasons
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), updated every 30 minutes. Mountain weather changes fast: check again before you set off.
Winter: December to February
Winter in Quetta is short but cold, running from late November into late March by some measures, with January the coldest month. Daytime highs in January average about 11.8°C, and nights average minus 1.9°C, so frost is normal. Snowfall happens most winters but is unpredictable year to year: some winters bring a good covering in the city itself, others bring almost none. Heating in hotels and guesthouses isn't always included in the room rate, so ask before you book. Pack a proper winter jacket, thermal layers and closed shoes; a scarf or hat makes a real difference given how cold the nights get.
Roads leading out of the city into the surrounding hills, including the routes towards Ziarat and Chaman, see considerably more snow and ice than Quetta itself, and have been closed or made dangerous by storms in recent winters. If you're planning to drive out of the city in December, January or February, checking the road situation on the day matters more than checking the city forecast. For the specifics of when and where snow actually falls, and what winter driving around Quetta involves, see our guide to Quetta snowfall.
How cold does Quetta get in winter?
The Pakistan Meteorological Department averages for 1991 to 2020 give these figures:
| Month | Average high | Average low | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 19.6°C | 1.9°C | Minus 13.3°C |
| December | 14.6°C | Minus 1.4°C | Minus 18.3°C |
| January | 11.8°C | Minus 1.9°C | Minus 18.3°C |
| February | 14.0°C | 0.3°C | Minus 16.7°C |
| March | 19.5°C | 5.1°C | Minus 8.3°C |
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Quetta is minus 18.3°C, on 8 January 1970. Cold waves can push individual nights far below the average, so pack for colder than the table suggests. January averages about 55 mm of rain and snow, and about 22 cm of snowfall in the PMD averages, though in practice some winters bring much more and some almost none.
Spring: March to May
Spring is one of the best times to visit. Average highs climb from about 19.5°C in March to 26°C in April and 31°C in May, with nights of 5 to 15°C, without the full heat of summer, and the countryside around Quetta greens up after winter. Layers work well here: a light jacket for mornings and evenings, short sleeves for the middle of the day.
Summer: June to August
Summer is warm and dry rather than oppressive. Daytime highs average about 35 to 37°C from June to August, with July the hottest month at 36.8°C, but nights cool substantially to about 19 to 22°C, which is a real difference from the plains of Punjab and Sindh at the same time of year. It's dry heat with essentially no monsoon rain, so pack for sun rather than humidity: loose clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and a light layer for the evening once the temperature drops.
If the heat is what you're trying to avoid altogether, Ziarat, about two hours away, runs several degrees cooler again; our guide to Ziarat in summer covers that in more detail. Many families travelling up from Karachi or interior Sindh in June and July use Quetta as a stop on the way to Ziarat rather than a destination for the heat itself, which says something about how the two compare even within Balochistan.
Autumn: September to November
Autumn mirrors spring: comfortable, dry, and increasingly cool as November approaches. September still carries some summer warmth, at about 32°C by day, while October (26°C by day, 7°C at night) and November (about 20°C and 2°C) settle into the same pleasant range as spring, with cold nights returning by late November as winter sets in.
What to pack, season by season
- Winter (December to February): A proper winter jacket, thermal layers, gloves, a hat and closed, insulated shoes. Check whether your accommodation includes heating.
- Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November): Layers, a light jacket for morning and evening, and comfortable walking shoes.
- Summer (June to August): Light, loose clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and one warmer layer for the evening.
Whatever the season, Quetta's dry climate means little need for rain gear, but the daily temperature swing between morning and afternoon is bigger than in most Pakistani cities, so layers matter more than in a humid climate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the coldest month in Quetta?
January, with daytime highs averaging about 11.8°C and nights averaging minus 1.9°C.
What is the lowest temperature recorded in Quetta?
Minus 18.3°C, recorded on 8 January 1970. December has also reached minus 18.3°C, and February minus 16.7°C.
What is Quetta's weather like in winter?
Dry, sunny and cold, with average highs of 12 to 15°C from December to February and nights around minus 2 to 0°C. Snow falls in some winters but not others.
What is the hottest month in Quetta?
July, with daytime highs averaging about 36.8°C, though nights cool to about 21.6°C thanks to the altitude.
When is the best time to visit Quetta for pleasant weather?
March, April, October and November, when daytime temperatures generally sit in a comfortable range without the cold of winter or the heat of midsummer.
Does it snow in Quetta?
Some winters bring snow to the city itself, though it's unpredictable from year to year. Our guide to Quetta snowfall covers typical timing and where it's more reliable.
Is Quetta safe to visit whatever the season?
Quetta is in Balochistan, which the UK currently advises against all travel to. Pakistani visitors travel to Quetta year-round, but check current local advice before you go. See our guide on whether Quetta is safe to visit for more.
