Weather and Climate

Climate

Nepal's climate varies with its topography and altitude. It ranges from tropical to arctic. The low-land Terai region with its maximum altitude to approximately 305m, which lies in the tropical southern part of the country, for instance, has a hot and humid climate that can rise above 45 Degree Celsius (13 Degree Fahrenheit) during summer. The mid-land regions are pleasant almost all the year round, although winter nights are cool. The northern mountain region, with an average altitude above 3,300m has an alpine climate with considerably lower temperature in winter as can be expected.

Seasons

Nepal has four climatic seasons.

Spring (between March and May): The temperature is mildly warm in the low lands while moderate in higher altitudes with plenty of opportunities to enjoy formidable mountain views. It is also the time for flowers to blossom and the national flower of Nepal – rhododendron sweeps the ascending altitudes with its magnanimous color and beauty.

Summer (between June and August): This is also the monsoon season in Nepal. The weather is hot and wet at times. It rains almost everyday with occasional thunderstorms in the evening. The rain spreads the pleasantness around with lush green vegetation.

Autumn (between September and November): This is the best tourist season in Nepal with the summer gone by and the winter to set in. The weather is highly pleasant so are the mountain views. This is the peak season for trekking as mountain views are guaranteed so better book your flight in advance. This is also the season of festivities as Nepal celebrates the biggest Hindu festivals Dashain followed by Tihar.

Winter (between December and February): The weather is cool and the sky is clear with occasional snowfalls at higher elevations. This season is good for trekking in lower elevations. Mornings and nights are cold and the days are warm when sunny.

Temperatures and rainfall

Nepal is the country of extremes. The low land plains of the Terai can have tropical temperatures and also the mosquitoes. The Himalayas can get to sub-zero temperatures in the middle of summer. The temperature of Kathmandu goes below 1 Degree Celsius (34 Degree Fahrenheit) in winter and rises to an average of 25 Degree Celsius (77 Degree Fahrenheit) in summer.

The average temperature in Kathmandu during the four seasons:

• Spring season ranges between 16-23 Degree Celsius (61-73 Degree Fahrenheit)
• Summer season ranges between 23-25 Degree Celsius (73-77 Degree Fahrenheit)
• Autumn season ranges between 15-24 Degree Celsius (59-75 Degree Fahrenheit)
• Winter season ranges between 9-12 Degree Celsius (48-54 Degree Fahrenheit)

During the rainy monsoon season between June and August, it rains to an average between 200-375 millimeters in Kathmandu. There is occasional rainfall during the other seasons too. In an average, 1300 millimeters of rain falls in Kathmandu every year.

Travel tips

Monsoon in Nepal is not the typical monsoon of Asia. Rains usually occur during the night time leaving the sky clean and clear by the morning making the Himalayan view even more dramatic. Some parts of the Himalayas in Manang, Mustang and Dolpo are in rain-shadow areas; the mountains are high enough to block the clouds. Tibet's high travel season also corresponds to Nepal's monsoon.