Climate in Phuket (Thailand)

The climate of Phuket is tropical, hot all year round, with a rainy season due to the southwest monsoon, which lasts from May to October, and a dry season from December to March.
In April, before the monsoon, there is a certain increase in showers. In November, there can still be abundant rainfall, especially in the first part, either for any delay in the retreat of the monsoon, or because of a tropical cyclone (see below). However, there may be some showers also in the dry season, especially in December, when occasionally, some of them can be particularly intense.

Phuket is the largest Thai island and is located near the west coast of peninsular Thailand, at nearly 8 degrees north latitude. There are, in addition to the eponymous capital, towns like Patong, Karon, Rawai, and Mai Khao. The most famous beaches are Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Nai Han Beach, Kamala Beach, Surin Beach, and Bang Tao Beach.



The temperature is high throughout the year, in fact, average highs never drop below 31 °C (88 °F). However, from December to March, relative humidity is slightly lower. Whatever the season, particularly hot days are always possible, with peaks around 36/37 °C (97/99 °F), while nights can be a bit cool, below 20 °C (68 °F), from December to March.
From February to April, before the arrival of the monsoon, there is a slight increase in temperature, in fact, March and April are usually the hottest months of the year.
During El Niño years, such as 1998 and 2016, the dry period is particularly hot.

In an average year, about 2,200 millimeters (87 inches) of rain fall; on the coast on the Andaman Sea, where Phuket is located, the rains brought by the southwest monsoon are more abundant than on the other coast of peninsular Thailand, that of the Gulf of Siam, since the south-western winds hit it directly. However, the rainy period has two peaks, in the first part (May) and in the last (September-October). During some years, however, there may be torrential rains even in July and August.

The amount of sunshine in Phuket is good in the driest period, from late December to March, while during the rainy season, the sun shines often enough, but it alternates with some cloudiness, which can sometimes lead to rain showers.

Phuket, like the rest of Thailand, can sometimes be affected by tropical cyclones.
This area on the Andaman Sea is relatively protected, since cyclones can be formed nearby, but then, they will head towards the Bay of Bengal, and this happens preferably between April and December, with two peaks at the beginning and at the end of the period (April-June and October-December).
On the other hand, typhoons can arrive from the east, but they generally pass more to the north, from the South China Sea to mainland Thailand; however, from time to time, they can also move to these latitudes, which has happened in the last few decades from mid-October to about December 20.



The sea in Phuket is warm enough to swim in all year round. It should be said that in summer, the sea can be rough due to the monsoon, and there may be dangerous currents.

Best Time

The best time to go to Phuket for a beach holiday is the dry season, from late December to March. However, surfers prefer the period from June to September, when waves are higher in the beaches exposed to the west, like Pansea Beach, Karon Beach, and Kata Beach.

Phuket - Climate data

In Phuket, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 27.4 °C (81.3 °F), that of the warmest month (April) is of 29 °C (84.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 2210 millimeters (87 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 35 mm (1.4 in) in the driest month (January) to 325 mm (12.8 in) in the wettest one (September). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 28.5 °C (83 °F) in January, February, December to
There are on average around 2070 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Phuket - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.7 °C (90.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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February is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 22.9 °C (73.1 °F) and a maximum of 33.9 °C (93 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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March is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.9 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.2 °F) and a maximum of 34.3 °C (93.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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April, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.3 °F) and a maximum of 34 °C (93.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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May is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 295 mm (11.6 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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June is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 265 mm (10.4 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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July is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.1 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 215 mm (8.5 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 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 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (89 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 245 mm (9.6 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 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 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 325 mm (12.8 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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October is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) and a maximum of 31.5 °C (88.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 315 mm (12.4 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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November is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.3 °C (74 °F) and a maximum of 32 °C (89.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 195 mm (7.7 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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December, the least warm month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 22.9 °C (73.2 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 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 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.