Pakistan experiences three seasons including summer or hot season (March to June), wet or monsoon season (July to September) and winter or cool (October to February). While there are great regional climatic differences, most areas experience quite drastic shifts in temperature between night and day.

Summer can become scorching, especially in the northern regions with temperatures rising to highs of over 104°F. The central regions not only deal with similar sweltering temperatures but also hot Loo winds which sweep across the flat plains in summer. The coast warms up significantly during this time as well but conditions tend to be more bearable because of the cooling sea breezes.

The monsoon season hits Pakistan most heavily the central regions of Swat and the Kaghan Valley. Rains during this period can become extremely violent and many regions remain flooded for prolonged periods of time. The monsoons are not nearly as bad in the northern regions, which generally tend to experience quite frightening thunder storms during this time as well as unbearable humid conditions.

Winter displays the most extreme temperature changes, with certain mountainous regions in the north experiencing heavy bouts of snow. Regions on the coast are much warmer but temperatures tend to become rather chilly at night time.

Best Time to Visit Pakistan

Because of Pakistan’s regional differences in climate, the best times to visit the north and the south are different. The best time to visit the south is from November to March when the rains have just stopped and the days are clear and cool. The north is well-known for its trekking opportunities so April to October would be the optimum time. During these months there is no snow, which makes reaching the more tricky trekking areas much easier. Travelers should also exercise great caution when it comes to the monsoon period. This season tends to cause great havoc, especially when regions begin to flood.