The climate of the Ladakh desert is extremely cold and dry due to its high altitude which varies from about 3,000 m in Kargil to more than 8,000 m in Karakoram. The air at this altitude is so thin that the heat of the sun can be felt intensely. The day temperatures in summer are just above zero degrees and the night temperatures are below -30C. Winters are extremely cold with temperatures below -40C most of the time. There is very little rainfall in this region. It is as low as 10 cm every year. The area experiences freezing winds and burning hot sunlight. There is always a chance of sunstroke and frostbite at the same time.