Skardu in November is cold and dry: the Pakistan Meteorological Department's averages are 13.2 °C for the daily high and -1.9 °C for the low, with only about 6 mm of rain in the month, so most days are sunny and most nights freeze. The valley stays open, with Shangrila, the Kachura lakes, Satpara and Shigar all reachable on paved roads, but Deosai is closed for the winter and the Babusar route north is normally shut.
This guide covers what November is actually like on the ground: the weather from the first week to the last, flights, which sights still work, which hotels keep running, and who the month suits. For the colour season that runs into early November, see our guide to Skardu in autumn.
| At a glance | November in Skardu |
|---|---|
| Average high and low | 13.2 °C and -1.9 °C (PMD normals) |
| Record low for November | -9.5 °C |
| Rain | About 5.6 mm for the month |
| Daylight | Sunrise 6:20 to 6:45 am, sunset about 5:05 falling to 4:45 pm |
| Deosai | Closed by snow |
| Road in | Karakoram Highway and the Jaglot to Skardu road |
| Flights | Islamabad to Skardu, weather permitting |
| Still open | Kachura lakes, Satpara, Shigar, Khaplu, Skardu town |
Weather now in Skardu 2,226 m
Live weather loads here.
When it snows: Winter sets in during December, with snow possible in the town; Deosai is closed until June. 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.
What is the weather like in Skardu in November?
Clear, dry and getting colder by the week. The PMD normals for Skardu, at about 2,200 metres, are below, with October and December either side so you can see the drop.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 20.4 °C | 4.3 °C | 7.3 mm |
| November | 13.2 °C | -1.9 °C | 5.6 mm |
| December | 6.5 °C | -5.6 °C | 16.3 mm |
Source: Pakistan Meteorological Department figures, as published in Wikipedia's Skardu climate table. Average humidity in November is about 37 per cent, which is why the air feels so dry on the skin and why the mountains look sharp.
On a sunny afternoon in town a sweater can be enough. By evening you want a proper jacket, and by early morning it is below freezing on most days. Our Skardu weather by month guide has the rest of the year.
First week versus last week
- Early November. The last of the autumn gold can still be on the poplars, especially towards Shigar and Khaplu, and afternoons are close to the monthly high. 1 November is Gilgit-Baltistan's Independence Day, a public holiday across the region, so offices are shut and there are flag ceremonies in town.
- Late November. Days often only in single figures, hard frost every night, bare trees and the first snow possible on the valley floor. The town feels like winter.
Sunrise moves from about 6:20 am to 6:45 am through the month and sunset from about 5:05 pm to 4:45 pm (Open-Meteo's astronomical times). The sun leaves the valley floor earlier than that behind the ridges, so plan drives to end by mid-afternoon.
Is Deosai open in November?
No. The plateau, above 4,000 metres, closes with the first heavy snow of autumn, usually in October, and stays shut until about June. Local vehicles occasionally attempt the crossing in early November, but it is not a trip for visitors: there is no shelter, no signal and no way to know from Skardu what the weather is doing on top. Our guide to whether Deosai is open or closed explains the season.
If Deosai matters to you, come in July, August or September instead.
What is still open in Skardu in November?
Almost everything in the valley. These are all on paved roads and fine in an ordinary car, apart from after a rare snowfall. Distances are by road from Skardu town, from OSRM routing.
- Shangrila and Lower Kachura, about 27 km. The lake and gardens are bare and very quiet, and the water is clear and still on calm mornings.
- Upper Kachura, a few minutes beyond. The path down to the water is steep and can be frosty early in the day.
- Shigar, about 28 km. The fort, the old village and the orchards make the best half-day in November, especially early in the month while some colour remains.
- Satpara Lake, about 9 km up the road south of town, and the closest outing if the day is short.
- Kharpocho Fort and the bazaar, in town. The climb to the fort is best done around midday, when the path is dry and the sun is on it.
- Khaplu, about 92 km east along the Shyok. It is a long day in November light, so leave early or stay the night.
What you lose, apart from Deosai, is the high country: trekking routes, the jeep tracks above the valleys and anything that needs a night outdoors.
How reliable are Skardu flights in November?
Better than in the depths of winter, because November is one of the driest months, but never certain. Skardu flights need clear weather for the approach, and a band of cloud or an early snowfall can cancel them, sometimes for more than a day. PIA flies Islamabad to Skardu all year; Airblue and AirSial have also flown the route in 2026, but winter schedules are thinner, so check each airline's own timetable for your dates.
The airport is about 19 km from the town centre by road. Keep at least one spare day at the end of the trip, and avoid booking an onward flight or a fixed commitment on the day you fly out. Our guide to Gilgit and Skardu flight cancellations explains what to do if yours is cancelled.
By road, once Babusar has closed, the only route is the Karakoram Highway through Besham, Dasu and Chilas, then the Jaglot to Skardu road. Pakistani travellers use it all year. The UK government advises against all travel on the highway between Mansehra and Chilas; if you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice, because travelling against it can void your insurance. Drive in daylight only in November.
Which hotels stay open in November?
Most hotels and guesthouses in Skardu town stay open, and November is quiet enough that rooms are easy to find outside the 1 November holiday. Rates are generally softer than in summer, but we have no verified November figures to quote, so ask each hotel for a written rate.
The places to check carefully are the ones built around the summer season: the resorts at the Kachura lakes and the heritage hotels at Shigar and Khaplu. Some run a reduced service as winter approaches and closing dates vary, so confirm directly if a night at one is part of the plan.
Before you book anywhere, ask:
- How is the room heated, is it extra, and does it work during a power cut?
- Is there a generator or solar backup, and when does it run?
- Is hot water available in the morning?
Power cuts get longer as the weather cools. Never sleep with a gas heater burning in a closed room. Our guide to Skardu hotels in winter goes further into heating and hot water.
What to pack for November
- A warm padded or down jacket, a hat and gloves
- Thermal base layers for sleeping, as rooms cool fast once the heater is off
- Sunglasses and sunscreen, because the sun is strong in the thin, dry air
- Lip balm and moisturiser
- A torch and a charged power bank
- Shoes with grip for frosty paths at the forts and Upper Kachura
Is November a good time to visit Skardu?
For a short, quiet trip around the valley, yes. You get dry, sunny days, empty viewpoints, clear air and lower prices, with the lakes, Shigar and Khaplu all within reach. Early November adds the tail of the autumn colour.
It is the wrong month if Deosai is the reason for going, if you are travelling with small children or older parents who will feel the freezing nights, or if your dates cannot move by a day or two. For the plateau and warm evenings, aim for July to September; for the full colour, the second half of October. Our guide to when to go compares the seasons.
Frequently asked questions
How cold is Skardu in November?
The PMD averages are 13.2 °C by day and -1.9 °C at night, and the lowest November temperature on record is -9.5 °C. Expect frost on most mornings.
Does it snow in Skardu in November?
Rarely much on the valley floor. November averages only about 6 mm of precipitation, though a cold spell late in the month can bring the first light snow.
Is Deosai open in November?
No. It closes with the first heavy snow, usually in October, and reopens around June.
Do flights to Skardu run in November?
Yes, weather permitting. November is usually drier than winter, but cancellations still happen, so keep a spare day.
Are Shangrila and the Kachura lakes worth seeing in November?
Yes, if you want them quiet. The gardens are bare and some services are reduced, but the lakes are about half an hour from town on a paved road and very still on calm mornings.
Is there autumn colour in Skardu in November?
Only in the first week or so, and mostly in Shigar and towards Khaplu. By mid-month most trees are bare.
