Ladakh is characterized by a very dry climatic condition. Desert cold conditions are a significant feature of this area. Ladakh receives a very little amount of precipitation throughout the year. Snowfall is a characteristic feature of this region. In general, the climate of Ladakh UT is very cold, arid, and dry, resembling that of a cold desert. The weather of winter is mostly very cold and depressing. The temperatures in the winter months are extremely low in Dras, Rupsho, Tanskste, Rong, and Zanskar, while central Ladakh and Nubra Valley is pretty smooth i climatic conditons.
In Ladakh, the coldest month is January. The official lowest surface temperature was -40°C reported in Drass in 1986. But based on their observational understanding, the residents of the Sum Valley believe that the lowest temperatures recorded in Ladakh are at Rangdum the unofficial lowest temperature being -50° in January 1986.
The reason for long cold dry weather in the night is that the night temperature remains below freezing for roughly a period of nine (September to May) months in Leh. In UT of Ladakh the skies are clear and the insolation is high and the winds generally blow consistently. These conditions are very good for the development of wind and solar energy.
KOPPEN CLIMATE CLASSIFICATION OF UT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND UT OF LADAKH
Certain areas of the districts of Kathua, Udhampur, Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Ramban, Shopian, and Srinagar fall under the climate type – Mediterranean, warm, dry summer – mild winter (Csa).
The climate type of Jammu and Samba districts and some portions of Poonch, Reasi and Rajouri districts is considered to be mostly of the subtropical monsoon type; mild but dry winter season; hot summer season (Cwa).
The climate type of some portions of Doda, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Pulwama and Ramban districts is classified as – subtropical but humid; mild winter season; hot summer season (Cfa).
Certain higher altitude areas of Ramban district fall under the climate type – Marine, mild winter, moist all seasons, warm summer (Cfb).
Higher altitude areas of Rajouri and Reasi districts fall under the climate type – Tropical upland, mild winter season, dry winter season, short warm summer season (Cwb).
Districts of Badgam, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam, Poonch, Pulwama, Shopian and Srinagar and certain higher altitude areas of Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ramban districts fall under the climate type – Humid continental severe winter, moist all seasons, short warm summer (Dfb).
Higher altitude areas of Kishtwar, Kargil and Leh districts fall under the climate type – Mid-latitude desert arid cool/cold (BWk).
The high elevation (peaks) regions of Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora, Doda, Kishtwar, Kargil, and Leh (both districts that are part of the Union Territory of Ladakh) fall under the climate type – Tundra and very short summer (ET).
FACTS FILE OF THE SEASONS
| Seasons | Period | Jammu (Native term) | Kashmir (Native term) | Ladakh (Native term) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 16th March – 15th May | Bahar | Sonth | Spit |
| Summer | 16th May – 15th July | So’a’an Soha | Grishm | Yar |
| Rainy | 16th July – 15th Sept | Barsaat | Waharart | Season not found |
| Autumn | 16th Sept – 15th Nov | Patjhar | Harud | Ston |
| Winter | 16th Nov – 15th Jan | Syaala | Wandah | Goon |
| Ice Cold | 16th Jan – 15th March | Season not found | Shishur | Season not found |
HUMIDITY
In the Jammu region, relative humidity in the morning typically ranges from 45% to 85%. It is somewhat lower between April and June, at around 45% to 65%. During the afternoon, humidity values are marginally lower than those found in the morning, and remain in the range of 35% to 70%. March to June is the driest period of the year when humidity ranges from 35% to 70%.
Humidity is generally higher in the Kashmir valley than in Jammu region. In the morning it generally ranges between 60% and 90% and in the afternoon, it ranges between 50% and 85%.
The Union Territory of Ladakh is mostly the driest of the regions, with measurements consistently lower than other regions ranging between 25 to 50% during the year. During the period of May to October, numerical humidity is between 25% to 40%, making this period very hot and dry. Diurnal variation of humidity is considerably lower than that of other regions throughout the year.
