Winter Arrives Early: Gurez Valley, Gulmarg And Himachal Pradesh Receive Season’s First Snow

Winter appears to be making an early appearance in the higher reaches of the Himalayas, with fresh snowfall reported across parts of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in September.

While much of India is still experiencing the final phase of the monsoon, the mountains have already turned white in several areas, giving travellers an unexpected preview of the winter season.

On September 17, snowfall covered the upper slopes of Gulmarg, including the areas around Apharwat Peak and Gondola Phase 2. In north Kashmir, snow was also recorded in the Gurez sector, particularly around Kabul Gali, located at nearly 4,167 metres, and the Tulail Valley.

Higher stretches near Zojila Pass and Zero Point around Sonamarg also received light snowfall. Srinagar and other lower-altitude areas, meanwhile, experienced rain, with temperatures remaining below the normal range.

Places Where You Can Catch the Early Snow

Gulmarg: The upper reaches around Apharwat Peak and Gondola Phase 2 have received a fresh dusting of snow, making the popular hill destination one of the easier places to experience the first signs of winter.

Gurez Valley: Snowfall has been reported around Kabul Gali and the Tulail Valley, adding a winter-like appearance to the high-altitude landscape.

Zojila and Sonamarg: Higher elevations around the pass and Zero Point have also witnessed fresh snow.

Himachal Pradesh: The snowfall has been more widespread, with around four inches reported at Rohtang Pass. Baralacha and Shinkula passes have also received snow, while higher reaches of Kullu-Manali, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba and Kinnaur have seen fresh snowfall.

Uttarakhand: Hemkund Sahib, situated at an altitude of more than 4,300 metres, recorded its first snowfall of the season. The Kedarnath region, however, experienced rain.

Can You Plan a Snow Trip Now?

Travellers hoping to experience snow before the arrival of the peak winter season can consider destinations such as Gulmarg, where the higher slopes have already received fresh snowfall.

According to the India Meteorological Department’s tourism forecast, Gulmarg could see minimum temperatures of around 5°C in the coming days, keeping conditions relatively cool.

However, an early snow trip also comes with additional risks. Roads leading to high-altitude passes and remote valleys can become slippery, while weather conditions may change quickly.

Tourists travelling through Himachal Pradesh have been advised to check road and weather updates before heading towards high passes, including Baralacha and Shinkula.

Does September Snow Mean Winter Is Arriving Early?

Not necessarily.

Snowfall in the higher Himalayan reaches during September does not mean that winter will begin early across the country. Mountain weather can change rapidly, and snowfall at high elevations is not enough to establish a nationwide winter trend.

El Niño is currently an important climate factor. The World Meteorological Organization expects the phenomenon to persist through February 2027 and has forecast above-normal temperatures across many land areas during September-November. However, the WMO has also pointed out that regional weather conditions are influenced by multiple climate drivers.

India’s winter pattern will ultimately depend on the interaction between El Niño, conditions over the Indian Ocean and other atmospheric systems.

For now, the snowfall is best viewed as an early Himalayan winter spectacle rather than a sign of an early winter across India.