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Climate in Bhutan


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - Bhutan

Map - Bhutan

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In Bhutan, a small Asian country crossed by the Himalayas, the climate is influenced by altitude: it is subtropical in the lowlands, and becomes progressively colder as you climb the mountains slopes.
In addition, the climate is influenced by the summer monsoon, which brings rains and widespread cloudiness for almost six months per year, but especially from June to late September.
The sun in Bhutan shines regularly in winter, while it does not shine very often in the monsoon season. Here are the average daily sunshine hours in Thimphu.

The climate in detail


  • Plain - Phuntsholing
  • Hills and mountains - Punakha, Thimphu
  • High altitude
  • Cyclones
  • When to go
  • What to pack
  • Climate data

Plain



In the thin southernmost lowland region, located between 200 and 450 meters (650 to 1,475 feet) above sea level, in places like Gelephu, Jomotshangkha, Samtse and Phuentsholing, the climate is subtropical.
Winter is very mild, but sometimes it can get cold at night. Spring, from March to May, is hot, especially in April and May, when the temperature can reach as high as 37/38 °C (98/100 °F), in addition, afternoon thunderstorms become more frequent.
From May to mid-October, it's the monsoon season, with abundant rainfall, at times torrential, which are enhanced by the proximity to the mountains, and muggy heat.
This is the rainiest area in the country, and receives 4,000 to 5,000 millimeters (157 to 195 inches) per year. Even though the real monsoon has not yet arrived, in May the rains are already very abundant. The best time in this area is from November to February.

Phuntsholing

Climate chart - Phuntsholing
In Phuntsholing, located at 240 meters (785 ft) above sea level, near the border with India, beyond which lies the city of Jaygaon, the average temperature ranges from 18.5 °C (65 °F) in January to 28 °C (82.5 °F) in August.
On average, 3,955 mm (155 in) of rain fall per year, with a maximum of almost 1,000 mm (40 in) in July.

Temple in Bhutan

Hills and mountains



In hilly and mountainous areas up to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), the climate becomes progressively milder, with relatively cold, dry winters and warm, rainy summers, with monsoon rains on the southern side, while in inland valleys, the summer rains are less intense.
Climate chart - Punakha
For example, in Punakha, located at 1,300 meters (4,250 feet), the average temperature ranges from 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in January to 25.5 °C (78 °F) in July, so the summer is quite hot and humid despite the altitude.
Rainfall amounts to 750 mm (29.5 in) per year.

Above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), winter are quite cold, with nights usually below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F).

Thimphu

Climate chart - Thimphu
In the capital, Thimphu, located in a valley, at an altitude varying between 2,200 and 2,600 meters (7,200 and 8,500 ft), the average temperature ranges from 6 °C (43 °F) in January to 21/22 °C (70/72 °F) in the period from June to August. Winter is dry and sunny, but snow can sometimes fall.
In Thimphu, the rains are not abundant, only 610 mm (24 in) per year, although they reach or exceed 70 mm (2.7 in) per month from June to September.

In the nearby city of Paro, a similar climate is found.

High altitude



Above 2,800 meters (9,200 ft), the daily average temperature in January approaches the freezing mark, and even summer nights become very cool or cold.
Climate chart - Ura
In Ura, a village located at 3,100 meters (10,150 ft) above sea level, the average temperature ranges from 1.5 °C (34.5 °F) in January to 14.5 °C (58 °F) in July and August.
On average, 1,350 mm (53 in) of rain (or snow) fall per year.

Glaciers and perennial snows begin at high altitudes, above 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). In the northernmost areas, the summer rains are not very heavy, but the sky in summer is often cloudy, and you can find fogs, or rather clouds lying on the mountain slopes.
The highest peak of Bhutan is Gangkhar Puensum, 7,570 meters (28,836 feet) high.

Tropical cyclones



Bhutan is too far from the sea to be directly hit by tropical cyclones, but the remains of cyclones affecting Bangladesh can cause heavy rains in the plains as well as snowfalls in the mountains, as happened in May 2009 with Cyclone Aila.
Cyclones typically occur from mid-April to early December, and most likely in May-June and in October-November.

When to go



The best times to visit the mountainous part of Bhutan are spring and autumn, and particularly the two periods of March-April and mid-October to mid-November.
During the summer, the rains can make the roads muddy, so travelling can be difficult, in addition, clouds can hide the mountain peaks.
In winter, the weather is generally good, but it's cold in the mountains, in addition, snow can fall at high altitudes, and it can also block some passes.

What to pack



In winter: for the plain, bring spring/autumn clothes (light for the day), a jacket and a sweater for the evening. For Punakha and around 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), bring spring/autumn clothes for the day, warm for the evening, a jacket, a hat, a scarf, sunglasses, sunscreen. For Thimphu and above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), warm clothes for the evening, but during the day, a fleece and a light jacket may be sufficient; hiking shoes. At higher altitudes, cold weather clothing, synthetic, thermal long underwear, a fleece, a parka, a wind jacket, warm boots.

In summer: for the plain, bring lightweight clothing of natural fibers, a light raincoat or umbrella. For Punakha and around 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), light clothing, a sweatshirt for the evening, a raincoat or umbrella. For Thimphu and above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), spring/autumn clothes (light for the day), a sweater and a jacket for the evening. At higher altitudes, a warm jacket, a down jacket, a hat, gloves, a scarf. A sleeping bag and a warm jacket for outdoor overnight stays.

Climate data - Bhutan


Temperatures: °C, Precipitation: mm
Bhur (375 meters)
Bhur, location on the map
Bhur, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.131618212223242424211815
Max temp.222426282929303030292624
Precip.1530110210435990131510357051951510
Prec. days236131923262419922

Gasa (2.760 meters)
Gasa, location on the map
Gasa, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-1-136811121211920
Max temp.61010131618202121201813
Precip.2025951151753103703302001153510

Jakar (2.470 meters)
Jakar, location on the map
Jakar, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-4-126101314141271-3
Max temp.111315182022232322191613
Precip.51035659595155140855555
Prec. days126121616222014710

Mongar (1.600 meters)
Mongar, location on the map
Mongar, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.681113151818181714107
Max temp.171922242527272726242118
Precip.5104080901351901601107555
Prec. days12591013171410411

Paro (2.200 meters)
Paro, location on the map
Paro, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-11471114151514940
Max temp.131417202224242423201714
Precip.101520306070120110804505
Prec. days12461012181713400
Day length107113120128135138136131123115108105

Phobjikha (2.860 meters)
Phobjikha, location on the map
Phobjikha, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-4-30371011111060-4
Max temp.91113161820202019171311
Precip.51090185265260495510205105355

Phuntsholing (220 meters)
Phuntsholing, location on the map
Phuntsholing, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.131618202223242423211815
Max temp.242730313232323232312925
Precip.1530802153808059657804951651510

Punakha (1.235 meters)
Punakha, location on the map
Punakha, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.681114182021201916117
Max temp.192124272930313029272420
Precip.1020154080135150145954555
Day length107113120128135138136131123115108105

Samtse (430 meters)
Samtse, location on the map
Samtse, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.131518202223242423211815
Max temp.212427282929282929292623
Precip.20401503356351050121510656702102015
Prec. days2491521262928221032

Thimphu (2.300 meters)
Thimphu, location on the map
Thimphu, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-2048121516161593-1
Max temp.151719222527272726242017
Precip.510203050100155120754505
Prec. days1146914191712501
Day length107113120128135138136131123115108105
Sun hours888876556888

Tshenkharla (1.940 meters)
Tshenkharla, location on the map
Tshenkharla, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.4571113141516141175
Max temp.141519222324252524211714
Precip.102060120120125130150905555

Ura (3.100 meters)
Ura, location on the map
Ura, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-5-41369101193-2-5
Max temp.8811131618191918151210
Precip.515401651502003402301356550

Wangdue Phodrang (1.200 meters)
Wangdue Phodrang, location on the map
Wangdue Phodrang, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.581114182021212015106
Max temp.192124272830292928272421
Precip.55204065105145135904555
Prec. days1147912171612510



See also the temperatures month by month

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