Climate and Weather
Nepal's climate varies with its topography and altitude. It ranges from the
tropical to the arctic. The low-land Terai region with its maximum altitude of
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
(113 Degree Fahrenheit) during summer. The mid-land regions are pleasant almost
all year round, although winter nights are cool. The northern mountain
region, around an 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-May)
The
temperature is mildly warm in low lands while moderate in higher altitudes with
plenty of opportunities to have a tryst with the 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 – August)
This
is also the monsoon season in Nepal. The weather is hot and wet at times. It
rains almost every day with occasional thunderstorms in the evening. The rain
spreads the pleasantness around with lush green vegetation.
Autumn (between September – 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 festival Dashain followed by Tihar.
Winter (between December – 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. The morning
and night are cold and the days are warm when sunny.
Temperature & Rainfall
Nepal is a country of extremes. The low-land plains of the Terai can have
tropical temperatures and also mosquitoes. The Himalayas can get to
sub-zero temperatures, but the sun blaze can bring some warmth during the day,
even in the mountains. 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 to
August, it rains to an average of between 200-375 millimeters in Kathmandu. There
is occasional rainfall during the other seasons too. On average, 1300
millimeters of rainfall 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.