Weather, Climate and Seasons of Bhutan
Bhutan despite having a small geographical land area has extremely high variation in elevation and climatic conditions. In the southern foothills of Bhutan (200-1000 m above sea level), the climate is hot, humid and subtropical. In the inner central regions of Bhutan (1000-2500 M above sea level) the climate is temperate in nature with distinctive seasonal variations. The northern regions have cold climate with year-round snow on the main Himalayan Mountains. However, when you travel in Bhutan always keep a pullover handy in your carry-ons as mountain weather is highly unpredictable and changable.
Bhutan has four seasons namely spring (March-May), summer (June-August), autumn (September – November) and winter (December – February).
Across much of Bhutan Spring (March – May) is a beautiful season. It is mostly dry with clear skies. It is the time when many kinds of wild flowers and vegetation come to live. It is a paradise for flower lovers. The blushing rhododendrons, vibrant azaleas, pure magnolias, dazzling primulas dress the landscape of Bhutan creating a paradise on the earth.
The summer months (June – August) is the season for monsoon rains. The days are mostly overcast with frequent downpours causing flashfloods and landslides. However, the low hanging clouds and mists garlanding the mountains create a surreal sense of floating in the sky. The country truly becomes the kingdom in the sky then. The annual precipitation ranges widely in various parts of the country. In the Northern border towards Tibet, the region gets about 40 millimeters of precipitation a year which is primarily snow. In the temperate central regions, a yearly average of around 1,000 millimeters is more common. And in the southern foothills an average of 7,800 millimeters per year of rain has been registered.
Autumn months (September – November) is yet another beautiful season in Bhutan. The weather is normally warm and dry with clear skies. During this time of the year, the agricultural fields turn golden with ripening crops and mountain sides display a hue of golden, orange, red and green with changing colors of the foliage. All these combined with blue sky and turquoise colored glacier fed rivers creates magic in the air. This is one reason why many local festivals are staged during this season. For the local farming community it is the time to enjoy the harvest of their years’ hard work.
Winter months (December – February) is the coldest and driest season. However, the southern part of the country remains warmer whereas there would be snow in the mountains and highlands.
Bhutan despite having a small geographical land area has extremely high variation in elevation and climatic conditions. In the southern foothills of Bhutan (200-1000 m above sea level), the climate is hot, humid and subtropical. In the inner central regions of Bhutan (1000-2500 M above sea level) the climate is temperate in nature with distinctive seasonal variations. The northern regions have cold climate with year-round snow on the main Himalayan Mountains. However, when you travel in Bhutan always keep a pullover handy in your carry-ons as mountain weather is highly unpredictable and changable.
Bhutan has four seasons namely spring (March-May), summer (June-August), autumn (September – November) and winter (December – February).
Across much of Bhutan Spring (March – May) is a beautiful season. It is mostly dry with clear skies. It is the time when many kinds of wild flowers and vegetation come to live. It is a paradise for flower lovers. The blushing rhododendrons, vibrant azaleas, pure magnolias, dazzling primulas dress the landscape of Bhutan creating a paradise on the earth.
The summer months (June – August) is the season for monsoon rains. The days are mostly overcast with frequent downpours causing flashfloods and landslides. However, the low hanging clouds and mists garlanding the mountains create a surreal sense of floating in the sky. The country truly becomes the kingdom in the sky then. The annual precipitation ranges widely in various parts of the country. In the Northern border towards Tibet, the region gets about 40 millimeters of precipitation a year which is primarily snow. In the temperate central regions, a yearly average of around 1,000 millimeters is more common. And in the southern foothills an average of 7,800 millimeters per year of rain has been registered.
Autumn months (September – November) is yet another beautiful season in Bhutan. The weather is normally warm and dry with clear skies. During this time of the year, the agricultural fields turn golden with ripening crops and mountain sides display a hue of golden, orange, red and green with changing colors of the foliage. All these combined with blue sky and turquoise colored glacier fed rivers creates magic in the air. This is one reason why many local festivals are staged during this season. For the local farming community it is the time to enjoy the harvest of their years’ hard work.
Winter months (December – February) is the coldest and driest season. However, the southern part of the country remains warmer whereas there would be snow in the mountains and highlands.
Average temperature of different regions of Bhutan for a year:
Note: Average temperatures are recorded at valley bottoms and there could be significant difference in actual temperatures depending on the elevation from the valley floor.