Climate - Islamabad (Pakistan)

The climate of Islamabad is subtropical, with mild, quite rainy winters and hot, very rainy summers due to the Indian monsoon.
The city is the capital of Pakistan and is located in the north of the country, on the Potohar plateau, at an altitude of 500 meters (1,650 feet) and 33 degrees north latitude. Nearby is the city of Rawalpindi, which is effectively merged with Islamabad.
Just north of the city are the Margalla Hills, whose highest peak is Tilla Charouni, 1,604 meters (5,262 feet) high. Sometimes, on these hills in winter it can snow above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). To the north-east is the Pir Panjal mountain range.
The proximity of the mountains makes the climate more rainy than in the other cities of Pakistan, as regards to the disturbances that arrive in winter and spring, but especially in July and August, when the rains brought by the monsoon are very abundant.
In winter, from December to February (but sometimes also in November and March), nights are often cold. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature can drop to the freezing point or a little below.
Also, from November to February, fog can form at night and in the early morning. Generally, the fog dissolves during the day, however, in these situations, especially from mid-December to mid-January, it can sometimes be cold even during the day, and there may be periods in which the maximum remain around 8/10 °C (46/50 °F).
On the other hand, from mid-April to early July, before the monsoon, it is very hot, though less than in the cities of Pakistan located at sea level. In the hottest periods, the temperature can reach 45/46 °C (113/115 °F).

Best Time

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The best time to visit Islamabad is autumn, from mid-October to early December. You can also choose spring, in the month of March, which however is rainier.
In winter, there are several mild and sunny days, however, it can sometimes rain, and it can get cold at night. In addition, especially from mid-December to late January, fog can sometimes be persistent and it can be a bit cold even during the day.

Islamabad - Climate data

In Islamabad, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F), that of the warmest month (June) is of 31.1 °C (88.0 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Islamabad, precipitation amounts to 1250 millimeters (49.2 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 25 mm (1 in) in the driest month (November) to 290 mm (11.4 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
In Islamabad, there are on average around 2945 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Islamabad - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Islamabad is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -2.6 °C (27.3 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In February, the weather in Islamabad is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.2 °C (44.9 °F) and a maximum of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 32.9 °C (91.2 °F) in February 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In March, the weather in Islamabad is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 11.6 °C (53 °F) and a maximum of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in March 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in March 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In April, the weather in Islamabad is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.6 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) and a maximum of 30.6 °C (87.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) in April 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in April 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In May, the weather in Islamabad is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °F) and a maximum of 36 °C (96.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41.5 °C (106.5 °F). However, it reached 45.5 °C (113.9 °F) in May 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Islamabad is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 31.1 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 24.2 °C (75.5 °F) and a maximum of 38 °C (100.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) in June 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 43.5 °C (110.5 °F). However, it reached 46.6 °C (115.9 °F) in June 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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In July, the weather in Islamabad is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 29.9 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 24.6 °C (76.4 °F) and a maximum of 35.1 °C (95.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40.5 °C (105 °F). However, it reached 45 °C (113 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 275 mm (10.8 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

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In August, the weather in Islamabad is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.9 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) and a maximum of 33.7 °C (92.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 18.9 °C (66 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 290 mm (11.4 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in Islamabad is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) and a maximum of 33.3 °C (91.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in September 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 38.5 °C (101.3 °F) in September 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In October, the weather in Islamabad is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.1 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 15.8 °C (60.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.4 °C (86.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in October 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In November, the weather in Islamabad is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.1 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) and a maximum of 24.8 °C (76.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in November 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in November 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In December, the weather in Islamabad is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 5.2 °C (41.3 °F) and a maximum of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in December 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in December 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).