Kabul sits at 1,800 metres in a high mountain basin, and the climate reflects it: hot dry summers, very cold winters, brief beautiful springs and autumns. April–May and September–October are the best windows for visitors — daytime temperatures between fifteen and twenty-five degrees, clear blue skies, almonds and roses in spring, plane trees in autumn.
Summer is dry and dusty and uncomfortable at midday. Winter is genuinely cold — temperatures regularly below freezing, occasional heavy snow, smog hanging over the valley because much of the city heats with poor-quality coal. Flights are routinely disrupted by winter weather.
Nowruz (Persian New Year, around 21 March) is the biggest cultural festival; Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha are public holidays when most things close. Friday is the Afghan weekend.