The Air Up There: Weather in Nepal

We get lots of questions about weather.

This makes sense.  Our clients fly halfway around the world and they want to know what to expect.  In a country with the geographic diversity of Nepal, this isn’t always the easiest question to answer.  We decided to break it down by region…

We’ll start with the easy stuff:  Kathmandu.

Weather in the capital city is pretty mild with predictably clear fall and spring seasons and a light monsoon season that stretches from May to September.  Winters are cool, but snow is extremely rare in the Kathmandu Valley.  If you’re joining us for a spring or fall expedition, expect to wear t-shirts during the day with a fleece at night.  For our summer expeditions, your time in Kathmandu will be a bit more humid with afternoon showers almost daily.  Keep a rain jacket with you for the unexpected, but short, burst of rain.

Some average highs, lows, and rainfall numbers:

source: Nepal Bureau of Standards (http://www.nepalvista.com/travel/kathmandu-temperature.php)

Nepal’s climate is all about altitude.  On the plains of the southern Terai region, where the altitude doesn’t reach above 305m, temperatures can spike to 113F with a heavy, year-round humidity.  The middle hills region–where Kathmandu is located–has a much more moderate and pleasant climate.  Days are warm with the higher altitude sun and nights are cool.  In the northernmost mountain region, altitudes above 3300m mean alpine temperatures and cold winters.  In addition to variation caused by elevation, Nepal’s distinct seasons each have something to offer:

Spring (March – May): Temperatures are mild, but warming in the lower altitudes.  The skies are clear and the national flower of Nepal, the rhododendron, comes into bloom throughout the mountains.

Summer (June – August): The monsoon season means heavy rains for the lower elevations.  In the high mountain regions, treks through the rain shadow are mostly unaffected.

Autumn (September – November): This is Nepal at its finest.  When the monsoon subsides, the clear skies reveal soaring peaks and mild temperatures.  This is also festival season, so get ready to experience the many of the most important days on the Hindu calendar.

Winter (December – February): The weather is cool throughout and the sky is clear with occasional snowfalls at higher elevations. This season is great for trekking in lower elevations.  Expect chilly nights and sunny days.

Preparation and knowledge of season trends is important, but regardless of when you choose to visit Nepal, you’re sure to be impressed.

Additional Resources

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/weather_maps/Nepal

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/maps/Nepal

http://www.meoweather.com/