Pakistan has four seasons: winter from December to February, spring from March to May, summer with the southwest monsoon from June to September, and a dry autumn in October and November. That is the standard split given in Wikipedia's Climate of Pakistan article. The spring season in Pakistan is short on the plains, where it is hot by April, and later and longer in the mountains, where blossom arrives in late March and April.
The same month can feel completely different in Karachi, Lahore and Skardu, so this guide gives the seasons by month, how they change from south to north, and where to travel in each.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Winter | December to February; coldest month January |
| Spring | March to May; short on the plains, blossom in the north |
| Summer and monsoon | June to September; most rain in July and August |
| Autumn | October and November; dry, clear, autumn colour in the north |
| Hottest months on the plains | May and June |
| Best season for the north | Late May to October |
| Best season for the cities and south | November to March |
What are the seasons in Pakistan, month by month?
| Month | Season | Plains (Lahore, Multan) | Mountains (Skardu, Hunza) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Winter | Coldest month, fog | Hard frost, snow |
| February | Winter | Cool, warming late in the month | Very cold |
| March | Spring | Warm days, pleasant | Thaw, first blossom |
| April | Spring | Hot afternoons begin | Blossom, cool |
| May | Spring | Very hot | Mild, passes start to open |
| June | Summer | Peak heat, pre-monsoon | Warm, roads open |
| July | Monsoon | Heavy rain, humid | Warm, low rain |
| August | Monsoon | Heavy rain, humid | Warm, low rain |
| September | Monsoon ends | Rain tapers off | Clear, cooling |
| October | Autumn | Warm, dry | Autumn colour, cold nights |
| November | Autumn | Mild, smog in Punjab | Freezing nights |
| December | Winter | Cool, fog begins | Snow, very cold |
The averages behind this are real but blunt. In Lahore the average afternoon goes from about 18°C in January to about 39°C in May and June. In Skardu it goes from about 3°C in January to about 32°C in July (Wikipedia climate tables, 1991 to 2020 normals).
Winter: December to February
Winter is cold in the north and mild in the south, and gets gentler the further south you go. On the Punjab plains January nights average about 4°C to 8°C, and fog can sit over Punjab and upper Sindh for weeks. Skardu averages minus 8°C on January nights. Karachi stays near 26°C to 28°C by day.
Western disturbances, weather systems from the west, bring most of the winter rain to the plains and the snow to the hills. For the start of the season city by city, see our guide on when winter starts in Pakistan.
Where to go: Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur and Karachi are at their most comfortable. Murree and the Galiyat are the nearest snow. Hunza and Skardu stay open for people who want a cold, quiet trip; our winter destinations guide covers the options.
Spring: March to May
Spring in Pakistan is two different seasons. On the plains it is brief: March is the pleasant month, with Lahore afternoons around 28°C, and by April it is over 34°C. Karachi barely has a spring at all; Wikipedia describes the city as having two main seasons, with spring and autumn very short.
In the mountains spring runs later and longer. Apricot and cherry blossom reach the lower valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan in late March and climb with the altitude through April. Skardu's spring is its wettest time of year, though rainfall there is low overall.
Where to go: Hunza and Skardu for blossom; see Hunza blossom season. Lahore and Islamabad in March, before the heat. Our spring destinations guide has more.
Summer and the monsoon: June to September
May and June are the hottest months on the plains. Multan averages about 41°C to 42°C in the afternoon in June, and heatwaves there can approach 50°C. Dust storms are common across south Punjab before the rain.
The southwest monsoon covers most of Pakistan from June to September. The heaviest rain falls in July and August: Islamabad averages over 300 mm in each of those months, Lahore around 180 mm. The monsoon brings flooding risk on the plains and landslides in the hills, particularly on the Kaghan and Karakoram roads. Skardu and Gilgit sit behind the mountains and get little summer rain. Our monsoon season guide covers timing and road safety.
Where to go: This is the season for the north. Hunza, Skardu, Deosai, Naran and Fairy Meadows are all reachable, with high passes open. See our summer destinations guide, and keep spare days in July and August for road closures.
Autumn: October and November
Autumn is dry and settled almost everywhere. On the plains October is still warm, with Lahore afternoons around 32°C, but nights cool steadily. November is pleasant, apart from the smog that builds over Lahore and central Punjab from late October.
In the north autumn is short and clear. Poplars and apricot trees turn yellow and orange from October, and nights in Skardu fall below freezing by November.
Where to go: Hunza, Skardu and Ghizer for autumn colour, covered in our autumn in Pakistan guide. Islamabad and the Margalla trails in November.
How do the seasons differ north to south?
The north has a mountain climate with real winters, short springs and a late-opening travel season. The plains of Punjab and Sindh have a long, very hot summer and a short, mild winter. The coast at Karachi is humid and mild for most of the year and rarely cold.
A simple rule: travel north from late May to October, and south from November to March. Late September to mid-October works for both. Our when to go page puts this into a trip plan.
A note on safety in every season
Some places that are well known for a season are under current foreign travel warnings. The UK advises against all travel to Swat, the Kalash valleys, the Chitral road from Mardan, all of Balochistan and Azad Kashmir within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which covers most of the Neelum valley. Pakistani visitors still travel to many of these areas. Check local news and police advice before you set out. Overseas visitors should know their government's advice may say not to go, and that ignoring it can void travel insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons are there in Pakistan?
Four: winter (December to February), spring (March to May), summer with the monsoon (June to September) and autumn (October and November).
When is spring season in Pakistan?
March to May. On the plains March is the best of it; in Gilgit-Baltistan blossom runs from late March through April.
Which is the hottest month in Pakistan?
May or June on the plains. Multan and Lahore both average around 39°C to 42°C in the afternoon in June.
When does the monsoon come to Pakistan?
The monsoon season runs from June to September, with most rain in July and August.
What is the best season to visit Pakistan?
For the mountains, late May to October. For Lahore, Karachi and the south, November to March.
