Pleiku City experiences a
tropical climate, influenced by the altitude and by the Southeast Asian monsoon.
The city is located in the Central Highlands (
Tây Nguyên) of Vietnam, at an altitude of 750 meters (2,450 feet) and at 14 degrees north latitude. To the north is Chu Dang Ya volcano, and even further north is the city of Kon Tum, which has a similar climate. To the west, about 60 km (37 mi), is the border with Laos.
We are in the south-central part of Vietnam, where the
summer monsoon has little effect on the coast (see Hoài Nhơn, Quy Nhon). Here, however, the rains in summer are abundant, in fact there is a
rainy season from May to October, with a maximum in August.
Winter, from December to mid-February, is warm and sunny, with highs around 25/27 °C (77/81 °F). Sometimes, however, temperatures can reach 30/31 °C (86/88 °F). At night, on the other hand, it can be cool, with minimum temperatures of 11/12 °C (52/54 °F) or even lower. In December 1999, the temperature dropped to 7 °C (44.5 °F).
From mid-February the temperature rises, and
the hottest period of the year begins, which will last until the rains arrive in May. From March to May, the heat records are around 36 °C (97 °F).
In the
rainy period, temperatures decrease, at least during the day, while humidity increases. In July and August there can be quite cool days, with highs around 21/22 °C (70/72 °F). In periods of good weather, which generally do not last long, the temperature can reach 28/29 °C (82/84 °F).
The city can be hit by
typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia, although it must be said that the area most at risk is the coast. Typically, typhoons pass in this area from late April to late June (more rarely and generally not strong) and
from the beginning of September to 10 December.
Best Time
The best time to visit Pleiku is the dry season, from
December to April. Sometimes, it can get cold at night, especially in the upper part of the plateau, above 1,000 meters or 3,300 feet (for example in Mang Den Village).
From mid-February to April it can be very hot, but this happens quite rarely, usually in El Niño years. However, the heat is felt above all in the lower areas of the plateau, around 500 metres (1,600 ft).
In April, before the monsoon, there is already a certain increase in downpours.
Pleiku - Climate data
The
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F), that of the warmest month (April) is of 25.3 °C (77.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Pleiku - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
---|
January | 15.7 | 25.6 | 20.7 | 60 | 78 | 69.2 |
---|
February | 16.3 | 27.7 | 22 | 61 | 82 | 71.6 |
---|
March | 18.5 | 29.3 | 23.9 | 65 | 85 | 75.1 |
---|
April | 20.4 | 30.2 | 25.3 | 69 | 86 | 77.6 |
---|
May | 21.4 | 29 | 25.2 | 71 | 84 | 77.4 |
---|
June | 21.2 | 26.8 | 24 | 70 | 80 | 75.2 |
---|
July | 20.8 | 25.8 | 23.3 | 69 | 78 | 74 |
---|
August | 20.8 | 25.7 | 23.3 | 69 | 78 | 73.9 |
---|
September | 20.6 | 26.1 | 23.3 | 69 | 79 | 74 |
---|
October | 19.4 | 26.3 | 22.9 | 67 | 79 | 73.1 |
---|
November | 18.3 | 25.9 | 22.1 | 65 | 79 | 71.8 |
---|
December | 16.7 | 24.9 | 20.8 | 62 | 77 | 69.4 |
---|
Year | 19.2 | 26.9 | 23 | 66.6 | 80.5 | 73.5 |
---|
Precipitation amounts to 2205 millimeters (86.8 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 3 mm (0.1 in) in the driest month (January) to 475 mm (18.7 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
Pleiku - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
---|
January | 3 | 0.1 | 1 |
---|
February | 6 | 0.2 | 1 |
---|
March | 20 | 0.8 | 3 |
---|
April | 95 | 3.7 | 8 |
---|
May | 245 | 9.6 | 18 |
---|
June | 345 | 13.6 | 23 |
---|
July | 390 | 15.4 | 26 |
---|
August | 475 | 18.7 | 27 |
---|
September | 360 | 14.2 | 25 |
---|
October | 190 | 7.5 | 16 |
---|
November | 65 | 2.6 | 7 |
---|
December | 11 | 0.4 | 2 |
---|
Year | 2205 | 86.8 | 159 |
---|
There are on average around 2415
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Pleiku - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
---|
January | 8.5 | 265 | February | 9.5 | 265 | March | 9 | 275 | April | 8 | 235 | May | 6.5 | 210 | June | 5 | 150 | July | 4.5 | 145 | August | 4 | 130 | September | 4.5 | 135 | October | 5.5 | 175 | November | 6.5 | 200 | December | 7.5 | 235 | Year | 6.6 | 2415 |
Pleiku - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coolest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.7 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) in January 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
February is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.7 °C (81.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) in February 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
March is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.3 °C (84.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
April, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.3 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 20.4 °C (68.8 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) in April 2000.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
May is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.2 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21.4 °C (70.6 °F) and a maximum of 29 °C (84.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) in May 2009.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 245 mm (9.6 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).
June is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 24.0 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.8 °C (80.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in June 2018.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in June 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 345 mm (13.6 in), distributed over 23 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
July is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.3 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.8 °C (78.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in July 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in July 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 390 mm (15.4 in), distributed over 26 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.3 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) in August 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 475 mm (18.7 in), distributed over 27 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.3 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.6 °C (69 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (78.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) in September 2004.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in September 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 360 mm (14.2 in), distributed over 25 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
October is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 22.9 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.4 °C (67 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) in October 2004.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 190 mm (7.5 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.1 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) in November 2007.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in November 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62 °F) and a maximum of 24.9 °C (76.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) in December 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 11 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).