The best months are October–November and March–April, with warm dry days and cool evenings. October sees the city emerge from the heat of summer; spring is famous for the bougainvillea and jasmine in the mature gardens.
Summer (May–August) is hot — 35–40°C — though noticeably cooler than the plains thanks to the city's 540-metre elevation and the breezes off the Margalla Hills. The monsoon arrives in late July and brings heavy thunderstorms through August. Winter (December–February) is cool but rarely freezing; nights drop close to freezing in January and the Margalla Hills sometimes catch a dusting of snow.
The biggest events to time a trip around: Pakistan Day (23 March) brings a military parade through Constitution Avenue; the Rose & Jasmine Festival (late March) is at its best in the Shakarparian gardens; Independence Day (14 August) lights up the whole city.