Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In Chiang Mai, there is a
tropical climate, with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season, due to the monsoon, which runs roughly from mid-May to October. Before the monsoon, in April and May, there is however an increase in showers and thunderstorms.
The city is located in the northwest of Thailand, along the Ping River, at almost 19 degrees north latitude and 300 meters (1,000 feet) above sea level.
Near the city is a mountain,
Doi Suthep, 1,676 meters (5,499 ft) high and protected in a national park. On the slope at 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) above sea level there is an important Buddhist temple, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.
In
winter, from December to February, the weather in Chiang Mai is generally good, during the day it is hot, but nights are cool enough.
Sometimes it can get very hot even in the middle of winter, but there can also be
cool periods, in which the minimum temperature can drop to about 10 °C (50 °F), and more rarely, periods in which it can to get cold at night. In December 1999, the minimum dropped to 4 °C (39 °F), with a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F). In January 2016, during a cold wave that affected several regions of Southeast Asia, there was a day with a minimum of 10 °C (50 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Four days earlier, the January heat record was set with 36 °C (97 °F).
Already in February the temperature rises slightly, and from
March to May, before the monsoon, is the hottest time of the year. On the hottest days, the temperature can exceed 40 °C (104 °F). The record is 42.5 °C (108.5 °F), set in May 2016.
In the rainy period, from May to October, the daytime temperature decreases, but the night temperature and the humidity increase. In the periods of pause between a wave of bad weather and another, however, it can get very hot even in this period.
Here are the average
temperatures.
Chiang Mai - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 15.1 | 30 | 22.6 | 59 | 86 | 72.7 |
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February | 16.3 | 32.9 | 24.6 | 61 | 91 | 76.3 |
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March | 19.6 | 35.4 | 27.5 | 67 | 96 | 81.5 |
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April | 22.9 | 36.7 | 29.8 | 73 | 98 | 85.6 |
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May | 23.8 | 34.7 | 29.3 | 75 | 95 | 84.7 |
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June | 24.1 | 33.2 | 28.7 | 75 | 92 | 83.7 |
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July | 23.9 | 32.2 | 28 | 75 | 90 | 82.4 |
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August | 23.7 | 31.6 | 27.7 | 75 | 89 | 81.9 |
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September | 23.4 | 32 | 27.7 | 74 | 90 | 81.9 |
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October | 22.2 | 31.8 | 27 | 72 | 89 | 80.6 |
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November | 19.3 | 30.9 | 25.1 | 67 | 88 | 77.2 |
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December | 16.3 | 29.3 | 22.8 | 61 | 85 | 73 |
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Year | 20.9 | 32.6 | 26.8 | 69.6 | 90.7 | 80.2 |
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In Chiang Mai, about 1,100 millimeters (43 inches) of
rain fall per year. From December to March, the rains are very rare. The wettest months are August and September. During the rainy season, from May to October, but sometimes also in April, the rains can be particularly intense and cause
floods.
Here is the average precipitation.
Chiang Mai - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 10 | 0.4 | 1 |
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February | 10 | 0.4 | 1 |
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March | 20 | 0.8 | 2 |
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April | 55 | 2.2 | 6 |
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May | 155 | 6.1 | 15 |
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June | 115 | 4.5 | 16 |
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July | 155 | 6.1 | 18 |
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August | 225 | 8.9 | 21 |
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September | 200 | 7.9 | 17 |
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October | 120 | 4.7 | 12 |
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November | 50 | 2 | 5 |
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December | 20 | 0.8 | 2 |
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Year | 1125 | 44.3 | 115 |
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In Chiang Mai, the
sun shines for about 2,500 hours a year. The amount of sunshine is very good in the dry season, from December to April, when clear skies prevail, while it's not high in the monsoon period, especially from June to September, when there are several cloudy periods.
Chiang Mai - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
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January | 9 | 275 | February | 9 | 255 | March | 9.5 | 295 | April | 9.5 | 280 | May | 6.5 | 200 | June | 5 | 155 | July | 4 | 120 | August | 4 | 120 | September | 5 | 145 | October | 6.5 | 200 | November | 7 | 215 | December | 8 | 255 | Year | 6.9 | 2510 |
Due to its position far from the sea and protected by the mountains, Chiang Mai is not directly affected by
tropical cyclones, however, it can be affected by their remnants, both of the cyclones that form on the Indian Ocean (from April to December), and of the typhoons coming from the east, from the South China Sea (June to December). The remnants of cyclones can bring more abundant rainfall than usual.
Best Time
The best months in Chiang Mai are December and January, as they are the least hot of the year. In February the temperature begins to rise, and March and April are very hot months, although we are still in the dry period. In April, however, the rain showers gradually increase.
In November too, the weather is generally good and the rains are rare, but it is a bit hotter than in the middle of winter.
Chiang Mai - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coolest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in January 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (2 mph).
February is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.6 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in February 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).
March is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 27.5 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) and a maximum of 35.4 °C (95.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.8 °C (56.8 °F) in March 2003.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in March 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
April, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 29.8 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 22.9 °C (73.3 °F) and a maximum of 36.7 °C (98.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103.5 °F). However, it reached 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) in April 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
May is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 29.3 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F) and a maximum of 34.7 °C (94.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in May 2006.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 42.5 °C (108.5 °F) in May 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).
June is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.7 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) and a maximum of 33.2 °C (91.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21 °C (69.8 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in June 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
July is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75.1 °F) and a maximum of 32.2 °C (89.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21 °C (69.8 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (89 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in August 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 225 mm (8.9 in), distributed over 21 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) and a maximum of 32 °C (89.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) in September 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in September 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 200 mm (7.9 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).
October is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 22.2 °C (72 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F) in October 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 36.5 °C (97.7 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).
November is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 19.3 °C (66.8 °F) and a maximum of 30.9 °C (87.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in November 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 35.5 °C (95.9 °F) in November 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).
December is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.3 °C (84.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) in December 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 35.3 °C (95.5 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (2 mph).