Kashmir Weather In December
Overview
December is the beginning of the winter season in Kashmir valley. The average temperature in Kashmir in December is between 0°C to -2°C during the daytime. At night, It goes down to -5°C.
While daytime weather is tolerable, early mornings and nights are quite chilly and cold. While the Snow season has finally started in the valley, the snowfall isn’t that heavy like that experienced in January. However plenty of snow has accumulated in Kashmir, consequently resulting in the onset of winter sports.
The winter resorts and hill stations of Kashmir like Gulmarg and Sonmarg offer a range of activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledging, ice-skating, snowmobiling, etc. Other than sports, local attractions in Gulmarg and Sonmarg are accessible like Gulmarg Golf Course, skiing in gulmarg ,Khilanmarg, Baba Reshi Shrine, Thajiwas Glacier, Baltal Valley, etc.
This December, plan a fun trip to Kashmir with your family and friends and experience ultimate adventures. Cliffhangers India is one of the best travel agencies in Srinagar and we offer multiple winter packages with huge discounts. Here, a detailed blog about weather in Kashmir in December is summarised. Take a look!
Does it Snowfall in Kashmir During December?
Yes, it is finally the snow season in Kashmir. From December onwards, Kashmir starts receiving heavy snowfall and it lasts till March. While the intensity fluctuates in different months, winter is called as one of the perfect times to enjoy live snow showers.
Everything is covered in snow, including vistas, trees and mountains. Even lakes are frozen, forming small icicles.
From alpine regions to lower valleys, it snows for half of the month, sometimes for more than 24 hours. If you love playing in white fluffy snow, December is the ideal time to visit Kashmir.
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Essential Clothes to Wear in December
- Packing clothes according to the weather conditions when visiting Kashmir is crucial and something to plan beforehand.
- Since it is the cold season in kashmir in december, dress properly starting with layers of thick thermals and then put on a sweater or cardigan for some warmth. A knee long trench coat or windproof jacket would be the ideal choice for the final layer.
- For the bottoms, start by fleece leggings as they are comfortable and stick to the skin and then a pair of jeans to go for the style and thickness as well.
- Don’t forget the accessories like gloves, socks, beanie, muffler, ear puffs, etc.
- It snows in December so pick clothes on which the snow slides right down on the ground and doesn’t stay on the. Instead of the normal shoes, go for boots as they are easier to walk on the slippery ice.
- Keep a shawl and scarf to cover your head when going to a temple or shrine.
- One of the Kashmiri traditional dresses is Phiran which locals wear especially in winters as it covers them from head to toe. You can get one of those from town markets or else you can check what to wear in kashmir during winter season.
Essential Tips to Visit in December
- A pre-planned trip is considered the best one and really helps ahead in the future. Get updates about the weather conditions and temperature levels.
- Since Winter is a peak season in Kashmir for snow sports, hotels are mostly filled at the last moment. Booking your accommodation in advance is the right way to go. Make sure the rooms have heaters to come up with the dropping temperatures in December.
- Like hotels, remember to book your transportation in advance as well. Taxis, cabs are the popular mode of public transportation in Kashmir. You can book them via travel agencies or online websites. Buses and trains are limited in December.
- The essentials clothes mentioned above are mandatory to pack. Apart from that, some other things to keep in your bag are snacks, water bottle, sunscreen, moisturiser, lip balms, first aid box, etc.
- Don’t forget important documents like IF proofs, permits, passes, tickets, VISA and Passport( for foreigners).
- Keep electronic gadgets like phone with postpaid sim, camera, power bank, charger, etc.
- If you have health concerns, arrange an appointment with your doctor to make sure you can travel hasslefree.
- Keep your personal medicines at hand if you have any.
- Avoiding acclimatisation is one of the biggest mistakes. Rushing through your itinerary is not suggested. Keep one or two buffer days to blend in with the climatic conditions before going to alpine regions like Gulmarg and Sonmarg.
- Gulmarg in winter is most beautiful season to witness the heavy snowfall.
Why Visit Kashmir in December?
- Adventurous activities: As the winter starts in Kashmir in December, a lot of thrilling snow activities are enjoyed by visitors. Some of the popular ones are skiing and snowboarding. There are a bunch of more such as sledging, snowmobiling, ice-skating, snowshoeing. You can make snowmen and snow castles and play with snow with your children and loved ones.
- Discounts and deals : December is just the start of winter season and the peak time for Kashmir Tourism is yet to commence. By visiting Kashmir in December, you can get the off-season perks with big discounts on Kashmir Tour Packages and lower rates on hotels and taxis.
- Gulmarg Gondola: Gulmarg Gondola is one of the prime reasons why you should visit Kashmir in December. As one of the largest and highest cable car rides in the world, it gives unparalleled views of the mountains and snow slopes. The best fun activity you can do is skiing in gulmarg which is famous among all the winter sports.
- Festivals and events: Various winter programs like snow fests are celebrated in Kashmir in December. It is a great opportunity to explore the rich culture of the valley by visiting local attractions, tasting Kashmiri Cuisine, etc.
FAQ's
Will it snow in Kashmir in December?
Yes, it snows in Kashmir. As the temperature lowers below 0°C, heavy snowfall is received, enveloping everything in sight.You can enjoy snowfall in kashmir in the month of december.
How cold is Gulmarg in December?
How many days are enough for a Kashmir tour in December?
7 days are enough for a Kashmir Trip in December. In this one week, you can cover major towns of the valley. Those include Srinagar, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Yusmarg, etc. These places offer a bunch of winter activities like snowboarding and sledging.
What are the famous places to visit in Kashmir in December?
There are many winter attractions in Kashmir to visit in December. First on the list is Gulmarg followed by Pahalgam and Sonmarg.