Weather and Climate in Nepal

Nepal’s latitude ranges from 26° to 31°N,  and the climate of Nepal differs from sub-tropical in the southern plains to alpine in the northern Himalayas.

The weather in Nepal varies according to the season. The winter season falls from November to February, in which the weather is stable, and the skies are mostly clear during the afternoon.

During winter, the haze often sits in valleys and extends up to the Himalayas, which makes the sky unclear, mainly in the morning.

It is possible to trek at lower altitudes, but the snow falls heavily in the higher regions, making it hard to trek or get clear views of the mountains. However,  it does not snow in Kathmandu, and you can travel to the southern Terai region, but still, the mornings and evenings get really cold, and you need to prepare accordingly.

Spring starts from March to May and is one of the most popular trekking seasons. The weather is warm, and the day is long. The rhododendron flowers bloom in the trek regions, making the trail look beautiful. This season is especially suited for trekking at high altitudes, including peak climbing and expedition. The lower altitude area is warm and even somehow hot.

The summer season starts from June to August. During this season, it rains heavily due to monsoon. Therefore, most people avoid trekking in Nepal during summer. However, there are numerous rain shadow areas in Nepal,  like Mustang and Dolpo. Most mountain tops are covered with fog, and it rains almost daily.

The trails are slippery, the leeches get active, and the clouds block the views. Summer has its own advantages. The monsoon rain induces new shoot growth, adding a green cover to the entire valleys and forests. The flowers bloom, and butterflies play near their habitats.

The autumn starts in September and lasts till November. It is another favorable trek season. Due to the retreating rain, the green shoots turn to golden amber. The clear skies enable you to enjoy the perfect views. Due to the favorable weather, thousands of trekkers/tourists flock to classic trek regions such as Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang.

Here are the conditions at high-altitude trek regions.

 

Autumn (September to November)

It is the most popular trekking season in mountainous, high-altitude areas. The autumn days are warm with clear skies, but the nights are cold. In high elevations, the night temperatures may even drop below zero degrees. The mountain views are surprisingly clear. So you can enjoy the amazing views of the mountains, landscapes, and more.

 

Winter (December to February)

The winter season brings in stable weather and mostly clear skies, making it conducive for trekking in lower trek regions. The higher trek regions experience heavy snow and low temperature. Daytime temperatures are cool, while nights are often freezing. Though the days are generally clear, snowstorms can occur, especially in the high Himalayas. Hence, we advise you to trek only in lower altitudes. This season is ideal for travel to Terai, Kathmandu Valley, and nearby areas, which do not experience snowfall.

 

Spring (March to May)

During the spring, the skies are clear, the temperatures are just right, and the fresh snow on the mountain peaks looks inviting. Hence, thousands of people come to enjoy the trek. If you trek during this season, you can enjoy the greenery along with rhododendron, jasmine, and pine blooms.

 

Summer (June to August)

Monsoon coincides with summer. The monsoon clouds block the views. Summer days are hot, and it rains almost every day. The trekking trails usually are muddy, and the leeches are active. This season is suitable for trans-Himalayan region hikes in Mustang, Dolpo, and so forth as these areas lie in a rain shadow.