Climate of Uttarakhand :

The climate of Uttarakhand is sharply demarcated in case of its two distinct divisions: the predominant hilly terrain and the smaller plain region. The most favorable time to visit Uttarakhand happens to be in the course of the summers when the weather is very clement and mild. Certain areas of the hills even become inaccessible in winter due to extremities of climate causing prolonged snowfall. The plain region seems to be at its best in terms of climate in winter, when the weather is pleasant.

Uttarakhand is a region which has some of the most majestic places, and also provides some outstanding natural beauty. It is a part of the Greater Himalayan ranges and is covered by beautiful Himalayan peaks and glaciers. Two very important and holy rivers of India, the Ganga and Yamuna start their journey from here. In this article, we provide you information about Uttarakhand weather.

Uttarakhand mainly has two different climatic regions, namely, the hilly terrain and the smaller plain region. So, the weather is also quite varied, depending on the particular place. 

Summers : Summers, in most of the Uttarakhand are mostly pleasant, but some places do have hot climate. The temperatures, in places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, etc. can reach the 40 degrees Celsius mark. Coupled with humidity, this can be pretty uncomfortable. The summer season of Uttarakhand extends from April to June. 

Winters : Winters in Uttarakhand are very cold, with many places receiving regular snowfalls. Temperature during the winter season ranges from sub zero to about 15 degrees Celsius. The winter season in Uttarakhand generally extends from October to February. 

Monsoon : During the period of July to September, lies the monsoon season of Uttarakhand. The temperature ranges from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius at most of the places, during this time. . The state receives approximately 90% of its annual rainfall in this season. It is also one of the most pleasant seasons of Uttarakhand.

Climate Factors :

Rainfall :

The variation in topography is also reflected in the climatic conditions of the state. The climatic zones vary from sub-tropical in the Bhabar belt to more extreme tundra and alpine conditions in the high mountains. Rainfall Apart from some areas of northern Uttarakhand most of the state is fully exposed to the Indian monsoon. This provides strong rainfall from June to September (although the official end of the rains is reported to be mid October). In Dehradun 630 mm and 627 mm of rain fell in July and August respectively, out of a total annual precipitation of 2051 mm (i.e. over 50 per cent). The heaviest rains are recorded in July and August; these are easing in September towards October when clear, fine days start to predominate, lasting until December. Notwithstanding heavy downpours of rain can still predominate in September or October, as witnessed the year 2007. Heavy snows from around late November hamper trekking in the high Himalayas until the spring.

Temperature :

 Temperatures start to fall significantly around November, with the winter season extending from this month to March. During the coldest month of January, the lesser Himalayas record an average monthly temperature between 5.5°C and 8°C. By March the temperature begins to rise until early June, the hottest month, which precludes the summer rains. Dharchula and Jhulaghat record an average temperature between 30 and 45°C during June.

Influence of Micro-Climates  :

As well as altitude, slope aspect and topography also play an important role in affecting climatic conditions and give rise to distinct micro-climates. These form important considerations in planning tourism facilities: for example steep north facing slopes which are hemmed in by tall mountains will have colder and more humid conditions than the more open south-facing slopes. In Munsiyari for example, the southern, north-facing slope of the valley is observed to have a greater number of humid plants such as mosses and lichens. This will impact tourism developments in the area. On the other hand, south facing slopes such as along the ridges of Almora, and Bageshwar, and where sandstones predominate, much drier and more pleasant climatic conditions occur, with slopes being bathed in sunshine over longer periods.

Such micro-climatic conditions explain the rash of holiday homes built along certain ridges and the emergence of the hill stations by the British in the 19th Century. Further tourism development may therefore take heed of the location of such settlements as an indication of favourable local climatic conditions.

Influence of Cloudiness :

 Perhaps the most significant aspect of the climate, which affects tourism, is the extent of days without sunshine. This is particularly so for long haul tourists who may pay a lot of money and spend considerable time to reach a destination and so will have higher expectations or aspirations vis a vis their holiday. Whereby week-end visitors may be simply disappointed to spend a few days in heavy rain and cloud, a stay of a few weeks in such conditions may lead to feelings of frustration and exasperation among longer haul travellers, particularly those less experienced trekkers whose main expectations is to see views of the Himalayas. Therefore seasonality is an important factor to consider in the marketing and promotion of destinations, particularly in mountains where weather can be variable and unpredictable during certain seasons.

The weather is highly seasonal in particular July and August, when climatic conditions are poor, strongly constrains outdoor tourism, the main player in the Himalayas. At other times (e.g. as far as September), variability can also be strong which does not guarantee good weather. The most stable months, when clear weather can be expected, are during October and November, and in spring between March and May.