Pamir Highway - Weather

[Peter.S]

Hello, I'm in the process of planning a trip to Central asia in March/april. I was going to include a trip between Osh and khorog via renting a car and driver. How much of hinderance is the Winter Weather on the Pamir Highway - both in terms of logistics/safety and enjoying the sights?

[steven]

Hi Peter,

sorry, I missed this one. It is obviously going to be cold on the passes, but the road is open year-round. If you have some experience driving in snow, it should be ok, and is actually preferred to spring, when snowmelt causes landslides.

As for the sights: as long as you don't want to hike, you can visit everything, it's always close to the road or village. Some valleys like Bartang etc are of course very hard to reach in winter.

Does that answer your question?

[asidsoul]

Hi Steven,

When is spring?

Planning to hit Pamirs around 20 ish May this year, is that safe choice in sense of chances of snowmelt?

Granted i do understand the variability of weather in the high passes.

Thanks.

[steven]

Hi asidsoul!

From http://www.pamirs.org/trekking.htm

Spring, running from late March to June, is the least rewarding time for high-altitude trekking in the Pamirs. High valleys and passes are still clogged with snow, the mountains are frequently cloud covered, and the risk of avalanches and rockfalls is at its highest. Trekking at lower altitudes is enhanced as the village fruit orchards are in full blossom and the winter wheat is emerald green in the fields.

[bike-shuttle]

Hi,

here you can see the regional weather reports of Tajikistan (Khorog, Rushan, Pamir etc.).
Weather in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province

and here you can find satellite maps of the weather in the region.
International Satellite Imagery

Oh, and if you are looking for information on pass roads in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or Pamir Highway you can find here
Highest mountain roads & Passes in Pamir, Tian Shan and Alay Mountains

Nice greetings from Kyzyl-Tuu
Wolfgang