Season's first snow in Gulmarg draws tourists; Mughal Road shut for now
File photo: Vikas Panwar (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Kashmir's higher reaches, including Gulmarg, got the season's first snow this week, up to October 15, 2026, drawing tourists; Mughal Road was closed as a precaution.
What Happened
The higher reaches of Kashmir received the season's first snowfall this week, with fresh falls from Tuesday, October 13, through the night before Thursday, October 15, 2026, turning the meadows and slopes around Gulmarg white and drawing a fresh rush of tourists to the resort. Snow also fell on Apharwat Peak above Gulmarg, in Sonamarg and in other mountain areas, while Srinagar and the plains saw rain and a sharp drop in daytime temperatures. The Mughal Road, which links Shopian in Kashmir with Poonch in the Jammu region, was closed temporarily as a precaution after snow made the stretch near Peer Ki Gali slippery. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar expects the weather to improve from Friday, October 16.
Key Facts
- Season's first snow: higher reaches of Kashmir, including Gulmarg, Apharwat Peak and Sonamarg, between October 13 and 15, 2026.
- Visitors were seen skiing and sledging on fresh snow at Gulmarg, according to reports from the resort.
- One local report said footfall at Gulmarg roughly doubled after the snow; Pahalgam and Sonamarg also saw more visitors.
- The Mughal Road (Shopian-Poonch) was closed temporarily; about 2 to 3 inches of snow was reported near Peer Ki Gali.
- The traffic department said the road will reopen once snow stops and clearance is safe.
- Daytime temperatures in Kashmir fell to about 3 to 9 degrees Celsius below normal during the three-day wet spell.
- The weather office expects mostly dry weather from October 16 for about a week.
Why It Matters
For Kashmir's tourism trade, an early dusting of snow in October is a welcome bonus. The months between the summer season and the main winter ski season are usually quieter, and the sight of snow on Gulmarg's slopes draws visitors who might otherwise wait until December or January. Hotel owners, pony operators, sledge pullers and taxi drivers in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam all earn more when visitors arrive in this shoulder period, and early images of snow on social media help sell winter packages.
For travellers, the snow also brings risks. Mountain roads such as the Mughal Road become slippery quickly, and closures can last until snow stops and road crews have cleared the surface. Officials urged tourists to take care, and trekkers were advised to avoid mountain trails until conditions improve. Anyone planning a drive between Shopian and Poonch should check the traffic department's daily road status before setting out.
The weather in Srinagar itself has been wet and chilly rather than snowy. The three-day spell of rain pushed daytime temperatures well below normal for mid-October, and the weather office had warned of thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail at isolated places into the night of October 15 before a clearer spell.
| Place | What happened |
|---|---|
| Gulmarg and Apharwat Peak | Fresh snow; tourists skiing and sledging |
| Sonamarg, Pahalgam | Snow in higher areas; more visitors |
| Mughal Road | Closed temporarily; 2-3 inches of snow near Peer Ki Gali |
| Srinagar | Rain and a sharp fall in daytime temperatures |
| Outlook | Mostly dry from October 16 |
Impact
Short-term: Gulmarg and nearby resorts are likely to stay busy over the coming weekend as dry, cold weather follows the snow and clear skies show off the peaks. Travel on the Mughal Road depends on clearance work, so travellers should keep a margin in their plans.
Long-term: An early start to snowfall can lift bookings for the winter season, which is a key earner for Jammu and Kashmir's tourism sector. However, a single October spell does not predict how much snow the main season will bring.
Who is affected: Tourists planning a Kashmir trip this autumn; hotel owners, guides, pony and sledge operators in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam; drivers and transporters using the Mughal Road; and residents of the Valley facing the first chill of the season.
Key Takeaway
The season's first snow has brought an early tourist rush to Gulmarg, but travellers should check road status, especially on the Mughal Road, before heading into the mountains.
Questions and Answers
What is the weather in Srinagar and Kashmir right now?
Srinagar and the plains saw rain and below-normal daytime temperatures during a three-day wet spell, while higher reaches such as Gulmarg and Sonamarg got the season's first snow between October 13 and 15, 2026. The weather office expects mostly dry weather from October 16.
Did Gulmarg get snow in October 2026?
Yes. Gulmarg and Apharwat Peak received fresh snow between October 13 and 15, and visitors were seen skiing and sledging. A local report said tourist footfall roughly doubled afterwards.
Is the Mughal Road open?
It was closed temporarily after the first snowfall made the road near Peer Ki Gali slippery. The traffic department said it will reopen once snow stops and the road is cleared, so check the latest advisory before travelling.
Is it safe to trek in Kashmir after the snowfall?
Officials advised trekkers to avoid mountain treks until the weather improves and asked tourists to be careful in higher areas.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Actor Imran Khan told to leave India by October 28 after anti-CEC protest
Groww Q2 profit rises 54% to about Rs 725 crore as it moves beyond F&O
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
