Weather & seasons
Kashmir in March: weather, late snow, blossom and roads
Kashmir in March: temperatures for Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, the wettest month, late snow, almond blossom, Tulip Garden opening dates and roads.
March is the start of spring in Kashmir, and its wettest month. On 1991–2020 averages, Srinagar reaches 15.5°C by day and 4.3°C at night, with 104.6 mm of rain and snow on about 7 wet days, while Gulmarg stays wintry at 5.4°C and −2.7°C. The almond trees at Badamwari blossom, and the Tulip Garden opened between 16 and 26 March in each of the last four years. Snow still closes the high roads: in 2026 the Mughal Road shut again in mid-March.
In this guide5 sections
At a glance
- Srinagar
- 15.5°C by day, 4.3°C at night
- Pahalgam
- 12.5°C by day, −0.3°C at night
- Gulmarg
- 5.4°C by day, −2.7°C at night
- Rain and snow
- Srinagar’s wettest month: 104.6 mm
- Tulip Garden opened
- 16 Mar 2026 26 Mar in 2025
- Last ski course
- 28 Feb to 13 Mar 2027 IISM Gulmarg
March weather
| Place | Day | Night | Rain or snow | Wet days* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | 15.5°C | 4.3°C | 104.6 mm | 7.2 |
| Pahalgam | 12.5°C | −0.3°C | 171.2 mm | 10.3 |
| Gulmarg | 5.4°C | −2.7°C | 215.6 mm | 11.5 |
*Days with at least 2.5 mm, measured as water. WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020 for the IMD stations at Srinagar (42027), Pahalgam (42028) and Gulmarg (42026), published by NOAA NCEI.
- Srinagar
- Pahalgam
- Gulmarg
WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020, stations 42027 Srinagar, 42028 Pahalgam and 42026 Gulmarg. Every value is in Kashmir weather month by month.
March is the wettest month of the year at Srinagar and Gulmarg. Days warm quickly: Srinagar’s average high climbs from 15.5°C in March to 20.6°C in April. All months are in Kashmir weather month by month. Each place card in the Go Kashmir app gives the place’s season and a 4-day forecast.
Is there still snow in March?
Often on the mountains, though the averages, which count rain and snow together, can’t say how often. In 2026, for example, a wet spell on 10 March ended a dry spell, bringing snow to Gurez and the Sonamarg–Zojila axis “while the plains were lashed by rains”, Kashmir Reader reported.
- Gulmarg: the ski institute’s last 2026–27 course runs from 28 February to 13 March 2027, according to IISM, and the Gulmarg leg of the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games, moved to March because snow conditions weren’t suitable earlier, according to IANS, was held on 9–12 March, News On Air reported. Snow cover in March isn’t guaranteed. See Gulmarg weather.
- Avalanches: on 27 March 2026 an avalanche near the Zoji La killed seven people, News On Air reported. It struck between Zero Point and Minimarg, according to Onmanorama, and the Srinagar–Leh highway was closed, according to The Tribune.
Almond blossom and the Tulip Garden
Badamwari, the almond garden on the foothills of Hari Parbat in Srinagar, flowered before the Tulip Garden opened in 2026. That year the almond trees were in blossom and the garden open by 10 March, ETV Bharat reported, and the Almond Blossom Festival opened on 14 March, according to Kashmir Reader. In 2025 the bloom festival was on 4 April, after the Tulip Garden had opened. The timing follows the weather.
The Tulip Garden has opened in the second half of March in each of the last four years:
| Year | Opened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 March, about 10 days early after warm weather | News On Air; Outlook Traveller |
| 2025 | 26 March | The Tribune |
| 2024 | 23 March | News On Air |
| 2023 | 19 March | The Indian Awaaz |
The 2027 date hasn’t been announced. See the Tulip Garden 2027 guide for tickets, timings and the bloom.
Roads in March
Spring snow can close the high roads for days at a time. Check the traffic advisory before you set out.
- Mughal Road: its 40 km Shopian–Peer Ki Gali stretch was ordered reopened from 27 February 2026, according to News On Air, and light motor vehicles were moving that day, Kashmir Life reported, about seven weeks earlier than its reopening around 15 April 2025. It then closed again “due to fresh snowfall and rainfall at Pir Ki Gali”, News On Air reported on 19 March, and reopened to light motor vehicles on 22 March 2026, according to Kashmir Life.
- Gurez: snow at Razdan Top closed the Bandipora–Gurez road on 7 March 2026, Kashmir Life reported. See the Gurez guide.
- Zoji La, towards Ladakh: in 2025 it was closed from 27 February to 1 April, Kashmir Life reported, and in 2026 the avalanche of 27 March shut it again. See Srinagar to Leh by road.
- Sonamarg: the Sonamarg tunnel, opened in January 2025, gives “all-weather connectivity between Sonamarg and Gagangeer”, News On Air reported, but heavy snow can still close the Sonamarg road, as it did in January 2026, according to IANS. See the Sonamarg guide.
- Pack a rain jacket: March is the wettest month in Srinagar and Gulmarg.
- Bring warm layers for Gulmarg and Pahalgam, where nights are still at or below freezing.
- Keep a spare day if your plans cross the Mughal Road, Razdan Pass or the Zoji La.
- Check the Tulip Garden’s opening date before you book a mid-March trip around it.
March questions
Is March a good time to visit Kashmir?
It suits travellers who want spring blossom and milder nights than winter, and don’t mind rain. It’s the wettest month, and the high passes can still close after snow.
Will there be snow in Kashmir in March?
Often on the mountains, and Gulmarg’s ski courses run until mid-March. In 2026 a March wet spell brought snow to the higher reaches and rain to the plains.
When does the Tulip Garden open?
Between 16 and 26 March in each of 2023–2026. The 2027 date isn’t announced yet. See Srinagar Tulip Garden 2027.
Is it cold in Kashmir in March?
Srinagar’s nights average 4.3°C and its days 15.5°C. Gulmarg is much colder, at 5.4°C by day and −2.7°C at night.
Sources
- WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020, stations 42027 Srinagar, 42028 Pahalgam and 42026 Gulmarg, published by NOAA NCEI.
- Kashmir Reader, end to dry spell, 11 Mar 2026, and Almond Blossom Festival opens, 15 Mar 2026.
- IISM Gulmarg, 2026–27 course schedule. Read 23 Oct 2026.
- IANS, winter games from 9 March, 3 Mar 2025, and News On Air, second phase concludes, 12 Mar 2025.
- News On Air, avalanche at Zojila, 28 Mar 2026; Mughal Road closed for a fourth day, 19 Mar 2026; Mughal Road stretch ordered reopened, 26 Feb 2026; Tulip Garden opens, 16 Mar 2026; Tulip Garden opens, 23 Mar 2024; Mughal Road reopens, 16 Apr 2025.
- The Tribune, avalanche-hit highway shut, 28 Mar 2026, and Tulip Garden opens, 26 Mar 2025.
- ETV Bharat, Badam Vaer blossoms, 10 Mar 2026, and almond bloom festival, 4 Apr 2025.
- Outlook Traveller, Tulip festival kicks off early, 17 Mar 2026.
- The Indian Awaaz, Tulip Garden opens, 20 Mar 2023.
- Kashmir Life, Mughal Road reopens after three days, 22 Mar 2026; historic Mughal Road reopens, 27 Feb 2026; Bandipora–Gurez road closed, 7 Mar 2026; Zojila reopens, 1 Apr 2025.
- Onmanorama, Srinagar–Leh avalanche deaths, 27 Mar 2026, News On Air, Sonamarg tunnel, 13 Jan 2025; and Siasat (IANS), fresh snowfall shuts highways, 27 Jan 2026.
We write from published sources and do not claim personal visits. How we check facts.
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