The short answer
When to go to Shimla
September to November and February to April are Shimla's best windows, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures for the Ridge and Jakhoo Temple. May to June is also pleasant but draws heavy domestic tourist crowds. July and August bring a heavy monsoon with a real landslide risk on the winding roads, best avoided, while December to January can bring snow and frost. At 2,158 metres, give yourself a day to settle in on arrival, and use a car and driver rather than walking long distances between viewpoints.
Month by month
Shimla weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C | 2°C | 80 mm | Cold, sometimes with snow and frost mornings | |
| February | 10°C | 2°C | 83 mm | Still cold and occasionally snowy | |
| March | 15°C | 6°C | 79 mm | Mild and mostly dry; a comfortable early-season month | |
| April | 20°C | 11°C | 58 mm | Comfortable and dry; one of the best months | |
| May | 23°C | 14°C | 82 mm | Warm and generally clear; before summer crowds peak | |
| June | 24°C | 15°C | 192 mm | Warm, though rain starts building late in the month | |
| July | 21°C | 15°C | 328 mm | Heavy monsoon rain; landslide risk on hill roads | |
| August | 21°C | 14°C | 351 mm | Continued heavy rain, among the wettest months here | |
| September | 20°C | 13°C | 165 mm | Rain easing gradually but still frequent | |
| October | 19°C | 11°C | 30 mm | Dry, clear and mild; excellent visiting weather | |
| November | 15°C | 7°C | 14 mm | Cool and dry; comfortable and less crowded than October | |
| December | 12°C | 4°C | 26 mm | Cold, with occasional snow; still visually striking |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Shimla seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: April, October and November
- April: Comfortable and dry; one of the best months
- October: Dry, clear and mild; excellent visiting weather
- November: Cool and dry; comfortable and less crowded than October
Good, with small trade-offs: March and May
- March: Mild and mostly dry; a comfortable early-season month
- May: Warm and generally clear; before summer crowds peak
Possible, with planning: January, February, June, September and December
- January: Cold, sometimes with snow and frost mornings
- February: Still cold and occasionally snowy
- June: Warm, though rain starts building late in the month
- September: Rain easing gradually but still frequent
- December: Cold, with occasional snow; still visually striking
Best avoided with parents or children: July and August
- July: Heavy monsoon rain; landslide risk on hill roads
- August: Continued heavy rain, among the wettest months here
Useful answers
Best time to visit Shimla: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Shimla?
April, October and November are the best months to visit Shimla, with March and May also good. September to November and February to April are Shimla's best windows, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures for the Ridge and Jakhoo Temple. May to June is also pleasant but draws heavy domestic tourist crowds. July and August bring a heavy monsoon with a real landslide risk on the winding roads, best avoided, while December to January can bring snow and frost. At 2,158 metres, give yourself a day to settle in on arrival, and use a car and driver rather than walking long distances between viewpoints.
Which months should I avoid in Shimla with elderly parents?
July and August are the months to avoid with older travellers. Heavy monsoon rain; landslide risk on hill roads Continued heavy rain, among the wettest months here
When does it rain most in Shimla?
August is the wettest month, with about 351 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is June, with average highs around 24°C.