Good to know
Good to Know
- October to November is the best time to visit, with mild and pleasant temperatures, clear skies and little rainfall
- The monsoon season from mid-June until early September brings heavy rains, with up to 100cm recorded during this time
- July and August are the least favorable months, with rainfall soaring up to 363mm in July and 331mm in August
- Spring from March to May is warm and green with clear skies, little rain, and blooming hills and forests
- Air quality deteriorates from January through April; mountain views disappear behind a milky haze, so consider a face mask for extended outdoor walking
- Winter sees temperatures between 2–15°C (36–59°F) with few tourists; if you don't mind the cold, this is actually the best time to enjoy good deals on travel and accommodation
- Heavy afternoon downpours during monsoon turn rivers muddy and trigger landslides on mountain roads; flights to mountain airstrips like Lukla get canceled frequently due to cloud cover
Spring
- Months
- March to May
- Rainfall Monthly Mm
- 34–124mm
- Description
- Warm, dry season with blooming rhododendrons; good for trekking though air quality degrades in later months
Characteristics
- rhododendron blooms
- occasional haze and air quality issues
- lower tourist crowds
- budget accommodation deals
Temperature Range
- Daytime Celsius
- 25–29
- Nighttime Celsius
- 10–18
- Daytime Fahrenheit
- 25–29
- Nighttime Fahrenheit
- 10–18
Winter
- Months
- December to February
- Rainfall Monthly Mm
- 13–30mm
- Description
- Cool and dry with clear mountain views; nights are cold; occasional light snow at higher elevations above the valley
Characteristics
- clear skies
- cold nights
- minimal rainfall
- fewer tourists and lower prices
- excellent for cultural sightseeing
Temperature Range
- Daytime Celsius
- 15–20
- Nighttime Celsius
- 2–9
- Daytime Fahrenheit
- 15–20
- Nighttime Fahrenheit
- 2–9
Peak Season
- Months
- October to November
- Rainfall Monthly Mm
- minimal (20–90mm)
- Description
- Best time for visiting and trekking; dry season with clear skies and mild temperatures
Characteristics
- clear blue skies
- stunning Himalayan views
- abundant tourists
- peak pricing
Temperature Range
- Daytime Celsius
- 18–27
- Nighttime Celsius
- 9–15
- Daytime Fahrenheit
- 18–27
- Nighttime Fahrenheit
- 9–15
Monsoon Off Season
- Months
- June to August
- Rainfall Monthly Mm
- 236–363mm peak rainfall
- Description
- Worst time to visit; heavy daily rainfall, high humidity, landslide risk, poor trekking conditions
Characteristics
- heavy daily downpours
- high humidity (mid-70s percent)
- frequent landslides on mountain roads
- flight cancellations to mountain airstrips
- lush green landscapes
- off-season accommodation deals
Temperature Range
- Daytime Celsius
- 27–30
- Nighttime Celsius
- 18–21
- Daytime Fahrenheit
- 27–30
- Nighttime Fahrenheit
- 18–21
Shoulder Early Monsoon
- Months
- September
- Rainfall Monthly Mm
- moderate decrease toward month end
- Description
- Transition period with improving weather by late month; some early rainfall but clearing skies
Characteristics
- rain still present early month
- clearer skies by late September
- fewer crowds than peak season
- good value on accommodations
Temperature Range
- Daytime Celsius
- 25–27
- Nighttime Celsius
- 15–18
- Daytime Fahrenheit
- 25–27
- Nighttime Fahrenheit
- 15–18
Snowfall
- At Kathmandu Valley
- Minimal to none (Kathmandu sits at ~4,600 feet elevation)
- Note For Trekking
- Snowfall occurs at higher elevations on mountain trails; trekking routes may be closed during December–February due to snow and ice
Air Quality Note
January through April ranks among Kathmandu's worst months for haze, pushing conditions into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this climate & weather research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Kathmandu
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.