Bhutan Weather
Weather in Bhutan
Weather in Bhutan: Seasons
Weather in Bhutan: Spring
Weather in Bhutan: Summer
Weather in Bhutan: Autumn
Weather in Bhutan: Winter
Best Time to Visit Bhutan
Visting Bhutan During Offseason
Average Temperatures in Bhutan
Due to Bhutan’s variations in altitude, the weather in Bhutan is incredibly diverse.
Of course, the weather in Bhutan also plays a big role in deciding when is the best time to visit Bhutan. And also, where you will visit in Bhutan.
A good rule of thumb when planning your Bhutan tour in terms of the weather and where you want to go, assume that temperatures drop by around 7°C for every 1,000 metres you go up.
Let’s take a look at the diverse climate and weather in Bhutan.
Weather in Bhutan: Seasons
The weather in Bhutan has 4 seasons. Spring, Summer, Autumn (fall), and Winter.
Spring: March, April and May
Summer: June, July and August
Autumn: September, October and November
Winter: December, January and February
Read more about Bhutan Festivals
Weather in Bhutan: Spring
Spring in Bhutan is high-season, just like Autumn in Bhutan.
This is a busy time for tourists, but spring is also the time of many exciting celebrations and festivals in Bhutan. This is a big attraction for the crowds.
If you’re a fan of kayaking or rafting, the weather in Bhutan in spring is perfect for this!
Events in Bhutan in Spring -
Punakha Drubehen and Tshechu (February or March)
Paro Tshechu (April)
Gomphu Kora (April)
Ura Yakchoe (April or May)
Read more about Bhutan Festivals in Spring
Weather in Bhutan: Summer
Summer in Bhutan is from late June until September when you can expect high humidity and heavy rain at times due to the southwest monsoon.
Late September there are long sunny days.
Events in Bhutan in Summer -
Kurjey Tshechu (July)
Haa Summer Festival (July)
Read more about Bhutan Festivals in Summer
Weather in Bhutan: Autumn (Fall)
Autumn in Bhutan is Summer - November.
The weather in Bhutan at this time is dry and fairly warm. The rains lead into Autumn but there is not as much rain as in summer, and it is sunny for many days in the autumn.
Autumn in Bhutan is high season.
Events in Bhutan in Autumn -
Thimphu Tshechu (September or October)
Wangdue Tshechu (September or October)
Tamshing Phala Choetpa (September)
Jambay Lhakhang Tshechu (November)
Read more about Bhutan Festivals in Autumn
Weather in Bhutan: Winter
Winter in Bhutan is November to March.
You can expect snow and frost, especially during the coldest months of January and December.
Temperatures drop below zero in Paro and Thimphu.
The winter also brings strong gale force winds.
The sound of these strong winds forcing themselves through the mountain passes actually is what gives Bhutan its name; "Drukyul," meaning Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Remote villages, temples and monasteries, as well as some roads, may be cut off.
This is particularly so in the east of Bhutan. It can be difficult to navigate Bhutan in the winter because of this.
Further south, it will still be warm and have conditions fit for hiking.
Events in Bhutan in Winter -
Druk Wangyel Tshechu (December)
Trongsa Tshechu (January)
Nomad Festival in Bumthang (February)
Read more about Bhutan Festivals in Winter
When is the Best Time to Visit Bhutan
Deciding on when is the best time to visit Bhutan really depends on your budget and what you want to get out of the experience.
If you want a budget trip to Bhutan then you should go when it is low tour season to avoid the expensive government charge that is ramped up during peak season.
If you want to see the local festivals then you may have to go during a peak time and pay a bit more.
Read more about Bhutan Festivals
If the weather in Bhutan is an important factor for you, you will also probably end up paying more and going in peak season.
If not seeing other tourists is your thing, (apart from Bhutan being your perfect destination to begin with) then you should definitely consider your trip to Bhutan off-peak during the winter months.
Visting Bhutan During Offseason
Visiting Bhutan during the tourist off-peak season gives you an even more unique Bhutan travel experience.
Not only will you be visiting Bhutan, a country known for its lack of tourism, but you will be visiting Bhutan during a time when there are the least tourists around.
You will enjoy having the temples, vast landscapes, and Tiger's Nest, all to yourself!
Visiting Bhutan during offseason should definitely be something you consider.
Average Temperatures in Bhutan
|
Month |
Values.in.Celsius |
...Paro... |
...Thimphu... |
...Punakha... |
...Trongsa... |
...Bumthang... |
...Mongar... |
...Trashigang... |
|
January |
Max Min |
9.4 -5.8 |
12.3 -2.6 |
17.0 4.3 |
13.0 -0.2 |
10.8 -5.1 |
15.5 8.2 |
20.4 10.5 |
|
February |
Max Min |
13.0 1.5 |
14.4 0.6 |
19.0 7.8 |
13.9 0.4 |
10.0 -1.4 |
15.9 8.3 |
21.7 11.5 |
|
March |
Max Min |
14.5 0.6 |
16.4 3.9 |
22.8 10.4 |
16.7 4.4 |
16.2 3.5 |
20.0 11.6 |
24.8 14.4 |
|
April |
Max Min |
17.6 4.6 |
20.0 7.1 |
26.2 12.9 |
20.1 6.6 |
18.7 3.9 |
22.8 14.0 |
28.3 17.0 |
|
May |
Max Min |
23.5 10.6 |
22.5 13.1 |
29.1 17.7 |
21 11.6 |
21.3 9.5 |
25.1 17.4 |
30 22.6 |
|
June |
Max Min |
25.4 14.1 |
24.4 15.2 |
29.2 20.1 |
22.2 13.6 |
22.5 13.5 |
26.1 19.5 |
30.7 22.6 |
|
July |
Max Min |
26.8 14.9 |
25.9 15.6 |
30.4 20.5 |
25.3 15.3 |
24.1 13.6 |
27.1 19.8 |
31.5 23.1 |
|
August |
Max Min |
25.3 14.7 |
25.0 15.8 |
29.1 20 |
23.8 15 |
23.0 13.7 |
25.4 19.6 |
30.2 22.7 |
|
September |
Max Min |
23.4 11.7 |
23.1 15 |
27.5 19.1 |
22.6 14.2 |
21.6 12.1 |
24.7 19.4 |
30.0 21.9 |
|
October |
Max Min |
18.7 7.4 |
21.9 10.4 |
26.1 14.7 |
21.8 11.7 |
19.5 5.9 |
22.7 15.8 |
29.1 17.7 |
|
November |
Max Min |
13.9 1.4 |
17.9 5.0 |
22.6 9.6 |
19.8 6.4 |
16.1 -0.5 |
19.9 11.2 |
26.1 13.6 |
|
December |
Max Min |
11.2 -1.7 |
14.5 -1.1 |
19.1 6.3 |
18.2 2.5 |
12.3 -2.3 |
17.7 9.5 |
23.0 11.6 |
(https://www.bhutan.travel/page/climate-weather)
Regardless of what time of year you decide to visit Bhutan, the weather in Bhutan may play a big factor - but remember it varies greatly depending on the altitude.
Make sure to pack the correct clothing - this can mean both thermals and t-shirts at the same time!
Bhutan Travel Guide
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