Climate of Islamabad

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Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. Spring (March–April) is pleasant. Summer (May–August) is hot. Autumn (September–October) is warm and dry, and winter (November–February) is cold.

The hottest month is June, with average daytime highs around the upper 30s Celsius. July is the wettest month, bringing heavy rains and evening thunderstorms, sometimes with cloudbursts. January is the coldest month, with chilly days and nights that can dip near or below 0°C; higher hills around the city can see light snowfall in winter. The city’s temperature has ranged from about -5°C in winter to around 46°C in summer, and the highest temperature ever recorded was 48.0°C in 2024.

The monsoon season runs from late June to September, bringing the heaviest rains, especially in July and August. A famous extreme rainfall event occurred on 23 July 2001, when 620 mm of rain fell in 10 hours, causing flash floods in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. August is the most humid month, while October is usually the driest.

Winter rains come from Western Disturbances and can bring rain, hail, and fog, especially in January. December also sees some rain from these systems. The city averages about 1,457 mm of rain per year.

Many climate experts now describe five seasons for Islamabad, adding a distinct Monsoon season because of its heavy rainfall and high humidity.