Nepal Weather by Month — A Tourist's Climate Calendar

Nepal's weather is impossible to sum up in a single line, because the country stacks tropical lowlands, temperate hills and high Himalaya within about 200 kilometres. The same week can be sweltering in Chitwan, mild in Kathmandu and well below freezing at Everest Base Camp. So the most useful way to plan is by month — knowing what each part of the calendar means for the region you are heading to. This guide gives you a Kathmandu temperature and rainfall table, then walks through all twelve months. For the opinionated, activity-first take on timing, pair it with our best time to visit Nepal guide.

Key takeaways

• Nepal has four broad seasons: spring (Mar–May), monsoon (Jun–Sep), autumn (Oct–Nov) and winter (Dec–Feb).
• Autumn (October–November) and spring (March–April) are the peak windows: clear skies, sharp mountain views and comfortable hill temperatures.
• The monsoon (June–September) brings most of the year's rain — Kathmandu can see over 500 mm in July — but the far-north rain-shadow regions stay dry.
• Weather depends heavily on altitude: the Terai is hot, the hills are mild, and the high mountains are cold year-round.
• October is the most popular single month for visitors; January–April is best for Terai wildlife.
• Whatever the month, pack in layers — daily and altitude temperature swings are large.

Kathmandu weather month by month

Kathmandu sits at about 1,400 metres, so its numbers are a fair proxy for the central hills where most tourists spend time. The table below shows approximate average daytime highs, monthly rainfall, typical rainy days and daily sunshine. Treat these as long-term averages — any given year varies.

| Month | Avg high (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy days | Sunshine (hrs/day) | |---|---|---|---|---| | January | 18 | 16 | 2 | 6 | | February | 19 | 24 | 2 | 6 | | March | 24 | 39 | 2 | 8 | | April | 27 | 75 | 3 | 9 | | May | 29 | 158 | 6 | 6 | | June | 29 | 341 | 11 | 5 | | July | 28 | 547 | 16 | 3 | | August | 28 | 474 | 14 | 3 | | September | 28 | 323 | 10 | 4 | | October | 26 | 78 | 3 | 6 | | November | 22 | 10 | 1 | 5 | | December | 19 | 18 | 1 | 5 |

Approximate long-term averages for Kathmandu (as of June 2026). Nights run far cooler than these daytime highs — around 2–5 °C in midwinter.

Two patterns jump out. First, the rain is concentrated: June through September delivers the overwhelming majority of the year's water, and July alone can top 500 mm. Second, daytime highs are mild and stable — Kathmandu never gets truly hot — but the table hides how cold winter nights become, and how much colder it gets the moment you gain altitude.

How altitude changes everything

Before the month-by-month walk-through, internalise Nepal's three climate zones, because the same date feels completely different in each:

• The Terai (lowlands, below ~300 m) — subtropical. Winters are mild and pleasant; April to June is scorching, often topping 40 °C, before the monsoon. This is Chitwan and Bardia safari country and the city of Lumbini.
• The hills (~800–2,500 m) — temperate and the most comfortable zone. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bandipur and Nagarkot live here. Mild days, cool-to-cold nights, no extreme heat.
• The mountains (above ~3,000 m) — alpine to subpolar. Nights drop below freezing much of the year, and above roughly 3,600 m even the warmest months stay cold. This is where trekking weather is decided.

So "Nepal in January" means warm afternoons in Chitwan, chilly nights in Kathmandu, and deep cold with snow on the high passes — all at once. Always plan for your destination's altitude, not a national average.

The four seasons in brief

Spring (March–May)

One of the two best windows. March and April bring warming days, blooming rhododendron forests in the hills, and still-clear mountain views, making it prime trekking season. The trade-off is haze building in the pre-monsoon air and increasing afternoon thunderstorms by late April and May. Down in the Terai, May turns brutally hot. High passes can still hold unexpected snow.

Monsoon (June–September)

Nepal's wet season, when the country receives the bulk of its annual rainfall. Rain typically falls in heavy afternoon and evening bursts rather than constant all-day drizzle, and the landscape turns brilliantly green. The downsides for visitors are real: leeches on forest trails, slippery paths, occasional flight delays and landslides, and mountains hidden behind cloud most days. Crucially, the rain-shadow north — Upper Mustang, Lower Dolpo, parts of Manang — sits behind the main Himalaya and stays relatively dry, which is why those are the classic monsoon treks.

Autumn (October–November)

For most travellers, the best of the year. The monsoon clears the air, leaving crisp skies and the sharpest mountain visibility of any season, with comfortable hill temperatures and cool nights. This is peak trekking and tourism season, so popular trails, tea houses and Kathmandu fill up — book ahead. It also overlaps Nepal's biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar.

Winter (December–February)

Clear, dry and quiet at lower elevations, but cold once you climb. Kathmandu days are mild and sunny while nights are near-freezing, with morning fog common in the valley and the Terai. High trekking routes get snow, and the loftiest passes (such as Thorong La and the Everest high passes) may close. Lower treks like Ghorepani Poon Hill remain enjoyable, and the Terai is at its best for wildlife.

Month by month at a glance

| Month | Season | Hills / Kathmandu | What it suits | |---|---|---|---| | January | Winter | Mild sunny days, cold nights, possible fog | Terai wildlife, lower treks, quiet cities | | February | Winter | Warming slightly, still cold at night | Lower treks, culture, Lhosar festival | | March | Spring | Pleasant days, rhododendrons begin | Trekking, photography, Holi | | April | Spring | Warm, clear early, hazier later | High trekking, Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur | | May | Spring | Hot, thunderstorms build, Terai sweltering | Early-month trekking, fewer crowds | | June | Monsoon | Hot and humid, rains arrive | Rain-shadow treks (Mustang, Dolpo) | | July | Monsoon | Wettest month, lush, cloudy | Mustang/Dolpo, green landscapes | | August | Monsoon | Still very wet, occasional clear spells | Rain-shadow treks, cultural festivals | | September | Monsoon→Autumn | Rains easing, greenery peaks | Late-month trekking, Indra Jatra | | October | Autumn | Crisp, clear, ideal | Everything — peak season, Dashain/Tihar | | November | Autumn | Clear, cooling, excellent views | High trekking, sightseeing | | December | Winter | Sunny days, cold nights, snow up high | Lower treks, Terai safari, quiet travel |

Choosing your month by what you want to do

The "best" month is really about your priorities:

• High-altitude trekking (Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu): aim for late September to November or March to April for stable weather and clear views. Read our altitude sickness guide before any high trek, regardless of season.
• Mountain views without the climb (Pokhara, Nagarkot, Sarangkot): October to December gives the cleanest air and the best chance of a sharp Himalayan skyline.
• Wildlife in the Terai (Chitwan, Bardia): go January to April, when short grass and water-seeking animals make spotting easier — see our Chitwan safari guide.
• Adventure sports like paragliding in Pokhara: autumn and spring offer the most reliable flying conditions; check our Pokhara paragliding guide for the seasonal detail.
• Quiet and lower prices: the monsoon and deep winter bring thinner crowds and softer prices, with the trade-offs noted above.

Packing for the weather

Because Nepal's temperature swings so much by time of day and altitude, layering is the universal answer:

• Autumn and spring: light clothing for warm days, a fleece or warm layer for cool evenings, and a packable jacket if you are heading high.
• Winter: add a proper insulated jacket, hat and gloves for the cold nights and any time above the hills.
• Monsoon: a good rain shell, quick-dry clothing and footwear with grip; expect to get wet.
• Trekking high in any month: warm and waterproof gear is non-negotiable, because mountain weather ignores the calendar.

For a full kit list built around these conditions, see our Nepal trekking packing list. And if you are trying to fit several regions into one trip across changing weather, our two-week Nepal itinerary shows how the seasons shape a realistic route.

Sources

• Nepal climate: temperature, rain, when to go — Climates to Travel
• Nepal weather by month: monthly climate averages — Weather2Travel
• Kathmandu Weather by Month — Weather and Climate
• Weather in Nepal — Intrepid Travel