What is the weather in Kedarnath in May?

Kedarnath weather in May (opening month): daytime 2°C–10°C, nights −2°C to 2°C. Snow covers the upper trek (above Rambara) in early May, clearing by mid-May. Occasional snowfall possible even in late May. Cold winds at the temple site. Layers essential — thermal base + fleece + windproof outer shell. The Kedarnath glacier and Chorabari lake are fully snow-covered in May — the most dramatic visually.

What is the best weather month for Kedarnath?

September has the best Kedarnath weather — clear skies post-monsoon, temperatures 0°C–10°C, dry trail, exceptional Himalayan views, no snow on the trek route below Kedarnath. May is the most dramatic (snow-covered) but coldest. June is pleasant but rain begins mid-month. October is clear but cold (−5°C at night). July–August monsoon brings persistent rain and is not recommended.

Does it snow at Kedarnath in October?

Yes — Kedarnath can receive its first winter snowfall in October, typically in the second half (after 15 Oct). Early October (1–15 Oct) usually has clear, cold weather without snow. By late October (closing time around Bhai Dooj), nighttime temperatures drop to −5°C to −8°C and fresh snow on the Kedarnath basin is possible. Warm winter gear is mandatory for October visits.

Kedarnath Weather

Overview

Kedarnath weather is governed by its extreme altitude (3,583 m) and Himalayan location. The Kedarnath valley experiences a compressed version of all four seasons between May and October — its entire open window. Even at the warmest times (June, September), the temple sits at an altitude where frost is possible overnight. Understanding the weather at Kedarnath is crucial for packing correctly and choosing the right month for your yatra.

The Kedarnath temperature range during the pilgrim season (May–October):

Month	Day Temp	Night Temp	Conditions	Trek Trail	Verdict
May	2°C–10°C	−2°C to 2°C	Cold, partly sunny, possible snow	Snow above Rambara (early May)	Good — dramatic, cold
June	5°C–14°C	0°C–5°C	Pleasant, rain from mid-June	Clear, some wet patches	Very Good
July	8°C–16°C	5°C–10°C	Heavy rain, mist, landslide risk	Wet, slippery, dangerous	Avoid
August	8°C–15°C	5°C–10°C	Persistent rain, fog	Wet, muddy, risky	Avoid
September	3°C–12°C	0°C–5°C	Clear, dry, excellent visibility	Dry, well-maintained	Best Month
October	−2°C–8°C	−5°C to 0°C	Clear but cold, snow possible late Oct	Clear (early Oct), snow risk late	Good (early Oct)

How to Reach

Reach Gaurikund (Kedarnath trek base) from Haridwar — 225 km via Rishikesh → Devprayag → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag. 7–9 hrs. Helicopter from Phata/Guptkashi for non-trekkers (10 min flight, ₹4,500–₹8,000 one way). See Kedarnath route guide for full transport options.

Best Time

Month-by-month Kedarnath weather detail:

May — Opening Month: Kedarnath opens around 29 April 2026. Early May (1–15 May) has snow on the upper trek — ice crampons or very careful footwear essential. The Kedarnath landscape in May is breathtaking — deep snow fields around the temple, frozen Chorabari lake, glacier clearly visible. The cold (nights near −2°C) makes overnight stays at Kedarnath a challenge — carry a good sleeping bag or use GMVN heated tents. The opening ceremony and first weeks draw the highest pilgrim numbers despite the cold.
June — Pre-Monsoon: Most comfortable month for trekking. Snow cleared above Rambara by early June. Daytime temperatures at temple reach 10°C–14°C. Lower valley forests are lush green with rhododendrons. Afternoon cloud and light rain begin from mid-June — start trek early to complete ascent before 1:00 PM. Rain jacket essential from 15 June onward.
July–August — Monsoon (Not Recommended): The Kedarnath valley receives 800–1,200 mm of rain in July–August. The trek trail becomes slippery (mud sections, wet rock). Landslides frequently block the Sonprayag road and the NH-107 between Rudraprayag and Guptkashi. Helicopter services ground frequently. The temple remains open but the experience is significantly degraded. Only attempt in this period with expert local guidance and full flexibility on dates.
September — Best Month: The monsoon withdraws from Uttarakhand around 10–15 September. Within days, the Kedarnath sky is transformed — crystal clear, deep blue, with every snow peak in the surrounding range sharply visible. The trek trail dries up fast. September temperatures at the temple: 0°C–10°C daytime, 0°C at night. Pack thermal layers + fleece + windproof. No crowds like May but deeply devotional atmosphere.
October — Pre-Closing: Cold increases rapidly through October. First half of October (1–15 Oct) still excellent — clear, cold, stunning. Second half brings the first snowfall risk at Kedarnath level. By closing day (Bhai Dooj, ~22 Oct), overnight temperatures are typically −5°C to −8°C. Heavy winter gear mandatory. Closing ceremony is a profound spiritual event — the deity's procession to Ukhimath is accompanied by thousands of devout pilgrims braving the cold.

Travel Tips

Layering system for Kedarnath: Three layers: (1) Moisture-wicking thermal base layer, (2) Fleece or down mid-layer, (3) Windproof and waterproof outer shell. This combination handles temperatures from −5°C to 15°C — the full Kedarnath range. Single heavy jackets are less effective than proper layering.
Temperature drops rapidly after 3 PM: Even in September, once the sun drops behind the Kedarnath range (around 3:30–4:00 PM), temperatures fall by 5–8°C within an hour. Always have your insulation layer accessible in your daypack from mid-afternoon.
Rain jacket is non-negotiable May–June: A lightweight packable rain jacket (Gore-Tex or equivalent) weighs 300–500 g and can be carried in a daypack. Afternoon showers on the trek are common from mid-May onward. A wet pilgrim is a cold pilgrim at 3,500 m altitude.
Altitude makes cold feel colder: At 3,583 m, even 5°C with wind feels like −5°C. Wind chill at the Kedarnath temple plaza (which is exposed and catches valley winds) significantly amplifies perceived cold. Gloves, a warm hat and a neck gaiter are essential even if forecast temperatures seem mild.
Snow on trail in May — footwear: Standard trekking boots without microspikes struggle on icy sections in early May. Lightweight strap-on microspike crampons (₹300–₹800 at Gaurikund shops) provide traction on icy sections. Available for rental at Gaurikund if you don't own them.

FAQs

What is the weather in Kedarnath in May?: Kedarnath weather in May: daytime 2°C–10°C, nights −2°C to 2°C. Snow on upper trek (above Rambara) in early May. Cold winds at temple. Thermal + fleece + windproof layers essential. Microspike crampons recommended for early May. Visually the most dramatic month — snow-covered landscape, glacier, frozen lake.
What is the best weather month for Kedarnath?: September has the best Kedarnath weather — clear post-monsoon skies, 0°C–10°C daytime, dry trek trail, exceptional Himalayan views and no snow obstruction on the route. May is dramatic (snow) but cold. June is pleasant. October clear but cold. Avoid July–August monsoon.
Does it snow at Kedarnath in October?: Kedarnath can receive first winter snowfall in October's second half (after 15 Oct). Early October (1–15 Oct) is typically clear and cold (−2°C–8°C daytime). Late October nights reach −5°C to −8°C and snow on the Kedarnath basin is possible before the closing ceremony on Bhai Dooj (~22 Oct 2026). Heavy winter gear is mandatory for October visits.