Pakistan’s coldest nights are not where most visitors expect them. Murree gets the snow headlines, but in the Met Office readings we found, the lowest temperatures came from Gilgit-Baltistan, with Skardu and Astore at the bottom, followed by a few towns in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
This guide lists the coldest places in Pakistan using published Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) readings, explains how to read them, and shows what it means if you plan a winter trip. Last checked: October 2026.
Quick answer: which is the coldest place in Pakistan?
Skardu is the coldest town in the reports we found. It recorded −14°C in January 2026 and −21°C in December 2019, and the station record low is −24.1°C on 7 January 1995. Astore, Gupis and Gilgit follow, and in Balochistan Ziarat and Kalat both fell to −7°C in the same January 2026 list. Winter lows change every year, so treat these figures as examples, not guarantees.
Coldest places in Pakistan at a glance
| Place | Region | Reported low | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skardu | Gilgit-Baltistan | −14°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Astore | Gilgit-Baltistan | −11°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Gupis | Gilgit-Baltistan | −9°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Gilgit | Gilgit-Baltistan | −8°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Ziarat | Balochistan | −7°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Kalat | Balochistan | −7°C | 12 January 2026 (spelled Qalat) |
| Hunza | Gilgit-Baltistan | −6°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Kalam | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | −6°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Parachinar | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | −4°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Rawalakot | Azad Kashmir | −4°C | 12 January 2026 |
| Rawalpindi and Islamabad | Punjab and ICT | 0°C | 11 January 2026 |
The list gives only the report date, not a separate date for each reading, so these are cold-night readings from around 12 January 2026, not annual records.
How to read these numbers
- One night is not a climate. A reading from a single cold morning shows how low a place can fall. Monthly averages show what is typical.
- Sources differ. The January 2026 list comes from a news report of Met Office figures. The record and average figures below are PMD climate data, so check the original data if you need exact values.
- High, empty places are not ranked. Glacier camps, high passes and remote villages are almost certainly colder than the towns above, but we found no reliable published station readings for them.
Skardu: the coldest town in the reports we found
Skardu, the main town of Baltistan, sits at about 2,228 m. Its January climate table, credited to PMD, shows a mean daily minimum of −8.0°C and a mean daily maximum of 3.2°C. In late December 2019, −21°C in Skardu, attributing it to PMD and calling it the lowest in the country that day. The record low for the station is −24.1°C on 7 January 1995.
The snow-covered Katpana cold desert near the town, shown in the photo above, is one winter sight. See our Skardu guide for sights and logistics, and confirm flight and road status before you travel, because winter weather can interrupt both.
Astore: cold, high and cut off from Skardu in winter
Astore lies at about 2,600 m. It reached −11°C in January 2026, and −9°C was the lowest reading in the north in early December 2019. The Deosai route from Skardu to Astore cannot be used from November to June because of snow, while the Gilgit route through Jaglot is described as usable year round. Treat both statements as general guidance and ask locally before driving. For the plateau itself, read our Deosai National Park guide.
Gupis and Ghizer: the cold you do not hear about
Gupis, in Gupis-Yasin District, reported −9°C in the January 2026 list, below Gilgit. It is part of the Ghizer valleys. The nearby pass toward Chitral stays snow-bound in winter. If you are curious about the area in other seasons, see our Ghizer Valley guide.
Gilgit and Hunza
Gilgit reported −8°C and Hunza −6°C in the same list. Both are colder than many visitors expect. Our guides to Gilgit and the best times to visit Hunza explain what changes by season.
Balochistan: Ziarat, Kalat and Quetta
Ziarat and Kalat both reported −7°C in the January 2026 list. Quetta is milder but still freezing at night: the 1991 to 2020 data show a January mean minimum of −1.9°C and a mean maximum of 11.8°C, with a record low of −18.3°C dated 8 January 1970. The page gives Quetta’s elevation as 1,680 m, while the climate source station is listed at 1,589 m, so figures differ by site. For a winter stop in Ziarat, see our guides to the Ziarat juniper forest and the Quaid-e-Azam Residency.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Kalam and Parachinar
Kalam reported −6°C and Parachinar −4°C in January 2026, and ARY News reported −7°C in Kalam in December 2019. Kalam also appears in our winter snowfall guide. See our guide to the top places in Kalam before planning a winter trip.
What about Murree and the plains?
Murree was not in the January 2026 list we used, and we did not find a verified low for it, so we have not ranked it. Murree is famous for snow, not for the lowest temperatures. The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad recorded 0°C on 11 January 2026. For Murree conditions and the January 2026 snowfall restrictions, read our Murree snowfall guide.
Planning a trip to a cold place in winter
- Pack real layers. Nights at these places fall well below freezing. Our packing list for northern Pakistan is a starting point.
- Check roads and flights the day before. Snow and fog can close routes and delay flights, and conditions change quickly. See our fog season guide.
- Use heaters safely. Ask your hotel how rooms are heated, never sleep with an unvented gas or charcoal heater running, and check that your room has ventilation.
- Allow for altitude. Skardu and Astore are above 2,000 m. Read our altitude sickness guide if you plan to go higher.
- Book accommodation first. Confirm that your hotel is open and heated in winter, because some mountain hotels close for the season.
For a wider view of winter travel, see our Pakistan winter travel guide, our guide to the best winter snowfall destinations and the top 10 places to enjoy snowfall. The coldest place is not always the best place for snow.
Frequently asked questions
What is the coldest place in Pakistan?
In the Met Office readings we found, Skardu is the coldest town, with −14°C reported in January 2026 and −21°C in December 2019. Remote high areas are likely colder, but we found no reliable readings for them.
What is the lowest temperature ever recorded in Pakistan?
We could not verify an official national record. The lowest station record we found is −24.1°C at Skardu on 7 January 1995, with PMD as the source.
Which month is the coldest in Pakistan?
The readings above come from December and January, and Skardu’s January mean minimum is −8.0°C. Late December to January is the coldest stretch in the sources we used.
Is Murree the coldest place in Pakistan?
No verified lowest-temperature reading for Murree appeared in the lists we used, and Skardu, Astore and Gupis reported much lower minimums. Murree is better known for snow and winter crowds.
Does Quetta get below freezing?
Yes. Quetta’s January mean minimum is −1.9°C in the climate table we used, and it has recorded much lower figures on cold nights.
Temperatures, roads and flights change. Confirm current conditions with PMD and local authorities before you travel.
Sources
- Dawn, Biting cold grips Rawalpindi, Islamabad (12 January 2026)
- ProPakistani, Skardu lowest temperature (30 December 2019)