Leh Climate Guide: High-Altitude Desert Weather Explained

Leh is defined by an Arid Continental Climate, situated in a high-altitude cold desert at approximately 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). Resting in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, the region is shielded from the Indian Monsoon, resulting in a landscape of stark beauty where oxygen is thin and the sun is exceptionally potent.

The Diurnal Cycle: A Land of Extremes

In Leh, the weather behaves with radical shifts within a single 24-hour period. Because the atmosphere is thin and dry, it lacks the moisture needed to trap heat.

• Daytime: Intense solar radiation means that even in cold months, the sun feels piercingly hot on the skin.
• Nighttime: As soon as the sun dips behind the Karakoram or Zanskar ranges, temperatures plummet instantly, often by 15°C to 20°C (27°F to 36°F). This sharp drop creates a "bone-chilling" dry cold that is felt more than the thermometer suggests.

Seasonal Trends

Summer (June – August)

This is the warmest period, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). While the rest of India faces torrential monsoon rains, Leh remains mostly dry and sunny. July and August are the hottest months, though nights remain crisp and cool, rarely exceeding 10°C (50°F).

Autumn (September – October)

The air turns exceptionally clear and the wind picks up. Daytime highs hover around 15°C (59°F), but the first signs of winter appear as night temperatures drop toward the freezing point. This is a "golden" season with deep blue skies and high visibility.

Winter (November – March)

Winter is long and harsh. January is the coldest month, with daytime highs often remaining below freezing and nights hitting -15°C to -25°C (5°F to -13°F). While snowfall in the town of Leh is relatively light and powdery, the mountain passes (such as Khardung La) receive heavy accumulations that can block road access for months.

Spring (April – May)

Transition is slow. Snow begins to melt, but the ground remains frozen. Days start to warm up to 12°C (54°F), though evening frost is still a daily occurrence. This is a windy season as the changing air pressure moves through the valleys.

Microclimates and Variations

Weather in the region is highly dependent on specific valley geography:

• Nubra Valley: Located at a slightly lower altitude, it is often a few degrees warmer than Leh.
• Pangong Tso & Tso Moriri: These high-altitude lake regions are significantly colder and windier. Lakes often remain completely frozen until late May.
• The Passes: Weather at the high passes (above 5,300m) can change from bright sunshine to a localized blizzard within minutes, regardless of the forecast in Leh town.

Historical Context and Local Adaptation

Historically, Leh has seen extreme temperature dips, with records as low as -28°C (-18°F). Recently, the region has experienced an "Urban Heat Island" effect in the town center due to increased construction and localized warming.

Locals adapt using Passive Solar Architecture. Traditional Ladakhi houses are built with thick mud-brick walls and south-facing windows to capture and store solar heat during the day. Locals often spend winter days in "sunrooms" (glass-enclosed balconies) to maximize the intense solar gain while staying protected from the biting wind.

Unique Weather Phenomena

• Sunburn vs. Frostbite: It is possible to suffer from sunburn and frostbite simultaneously if one stays in the shade while exposed to the wind but has extremities exposed to the sun. The solar radiation here is roughly 50% stronger than at sea level.
• Western Disturbances: Most of Leh’s meager precipitation (about 100mm annually) comes from these winter weather systems from the Mediterranean, rather than the summer monsoon.
• Flash Floods: Despite being a desert, intense localized "cloudbursts" in the summer can occasionally trigger sudden debris flows because the parched, vegetation-free soil cannot absorb sudden water.