Ladakh experiences extreme climatic variations much for its high altitude. The region is also sparsely populated. Greater Himalaya range of location exposes the place to extreme winters. At an altitude of 3521 meters above the sea level, the months of December and January are freezing below minus degree Celsius. Often people from the small towns of Ladakh move to mainland where the climate is still warmer. The barren locations of Ladakh are also dry and hot in the months of April to October.
One important aspect of the climate of Ladakh is the absence or scanty rainfall over the years. You wind the roads more dry, windy, and sandy. Rainfall in Ladakh amounts to around 10.16 cm annually.
Winters in Ladakh
A typical feature of the winter months is extreme temperature dip in the nights but no snowfall, though the Himalayas remain snow capped during this time. Again, some parts experience snowfall from end of September and melts away faster. Ladakh winter temperature varies from minus 20°C and 15°C.
Summers in Ladakh
Just like the extreme winters, summer would set you dripping in perspiration. The temperatures soar up to 35°C, a sharp contrast to the winters. The parts that experience snowfall has it melting away at faster rate while in Leh and Shimla the snow stays on for at least a month.