Kathmandu, nestled in the valley at 1,300 metres, enjoys a mild subtropical highland climate with four distinct seasons. The city experiences warm, sunny springs and autumns, hot and humid monsoon summers, and cool, dry winters. Dramatic seasonal changes, clear skies, and lush landscapes make Kathmandu a year-round destination for culture and adventure.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Kathmandu’s climate is shaped by its elevation and subtropical highland setting. The city experiences four seasons: spring (March–May), summer/monsoon (June–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February). Spring brings mild, sunny days with temperatures rising from 18°C in March to 25–30°C in May. Rhododendrons bloom, and rainfall is minimal, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Summer is dominated by the monsoon, with highs of 27–29°C, high humidity, and heavy rainfall, particularly in July (up to 547 mm). Thunderstorms are common, and the air feels lush but can be muggy and wet.
Autumn is Kathmandu’s most pleasant season, with clear skies, warm days (26–28°C in September, 22°C in November), and crisp, cool nights. Rainfall drops sharply, and visibility is excellent, making this peak trekking and sightseeing season. Winters are cool and dry, with daytime highs of 14–19°C and nighttime lows of 2–4°C. Frost is possible, but snow is extremely rare in the city itself, though visible on the surrounding hills. Sunshine is abundant in spring and autumn (up to 9 hours per day), while winter and monsoon months see less. Winds are generally light, but conditions can be breezy during storms. The city’s climate supports a vibrant outdoor life, with dramatic mountain views and changing scenery throughout the year.
| Average climate data for Kathmandu, Nepal | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 19 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 14 | 19 | 34 | 62 | 125 | 239 | 367 | 332 | 200 | 52 | 8 | 13 | 1,464 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 110 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 79 | 71 | 61 | 52 | 57 | 73 | 80 | 83 | 83 | 79 | 84 | 79 | 73 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Average UV index | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 9 |
The best time to visit Kathmandu is in spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–November), when the weather is warm, dry, and sunny, skies are clear, and mountain views are spectacular. These periods are ideal for trekking, sightseeing, and enjoying Kathmandu’s vibrant festivals and outdoor life.
The least favourable time to visit is during the monsoon season (June–August), when heavy rains, high humidity, and muddy conditions can disrupt travel and outdoor activities. Early summer (late May–June) can also be very hot and humid before the rains begin, making sightseeing less comfortable.
Kathmandu has a mild subtropical highland climate with four seasons: warm, dry springs and autumns; hot, humid, rainy summers; and cool, dry winters. Temperatures range from 2°C at night in winter to 30°C in pre-monsoon summer.
The best times to visit Kathmandu are in spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–November), when the weather is warm, dry, and clear, ideal for trekking, sightseeing, and enjoying the city’s festivals.
Kathmandu receives about 1,500 mm of rain annually, with most falling during the monsoon season (June–August). July is the wettest month, often seeing over 500 mm of rain and frequent thunderstorms.
Snow is extremely rare in Kathmandu itself, though frost can occur on winter nights. The surrounding hills may see occasional snowfall, creating picturesque views from the city.
Winter daytime highs range from 14–19°C, but nights can drop to 2–4°C. Frost is possible, but days are usually sunny and dry, making winter pleasant for city exploration if you dress warmly.
Pack light, breathable clothing for spring and autumn, a rain jacket and waterproof shoes for the monsoon, and warm layers for winter mornings and evenings. Sun protection is essential year-round.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is June (29.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (19 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 25.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (20.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (2.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 12.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (366.8 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is November (8.4 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,463.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (23 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (1 days). Over the whole year there are 110.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (84 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (51.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 73.4 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 8.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 6.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are April, May, June, July and August (UV index: 12). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 9.2.
