Nepal travel
Kathmandu Weather by Month
What Kathmandu's weather is like month by month — cold clear winters, a warm spring, the summer monsoon and the dry, sunny autumn — and what to pack.
By Shiva GiriPublished 4 min readFacts checked
Kathmandu sits at about 1,400 m, so it is milder than the Terai lowlands and much warmer than the mountains. Budhanilkantha, on the forested northern edge of the valley, is a little cooler than the city centre, especially at night.
| Month | What to expect |
|---|---|
| January | The coldest month: sunny days, cold nights that can approach freezing, morning fog |
| February | Cool and mostly dry, warming through the month |
| March | Warm, pleasant days; some haze |
| April | Warm to hot; occasional afternoon storms |
| May | Hot and humid before the monsoon, with pre-monsoon showers |
| June | Among the hottest months; the monsoon usually arrives |
| July | Monsoon: frequent heavy rain, usually the wettest month |
| August | Monsoon continues; humid, green and wet |
| September | Rain eases towards the end of the month |
| October | Dry, clear and comfortable — festival season |
| November | Usually the driest month; clear skies, cool nights |
| December | Cool and dry; cold mornings and evenings |
Roughly speaking, winter nights in January can drop to around 2–3 °C while sunny days reach the high teens, and June daytime highs are commonly in the high 20s °C. Annual rainfall is around 1,300 mm or more, most of it falling between June and September.
What to pack
- December–February: warm layers and a jacket for mornings and evenings (we provide heaters and extra blankets).
- March–May: light clothes plus a layer for the evening.
- June–September: a rain jacket or umbrella and quick-dry clothes.
- October–November: light layers — the most comfortable weather of the year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Kathmandu?
October and November are the most comfortable, with clear skies and festivals. March and April are also pleasant.
Does it snow in Kathmandu?
Snow in the city itself is very rare; the surrounding high hills occasionally get a dusting in winter.
Sources
Fees and regulations change. These are the references we checked on 18 October 2026 — confirm current details with the official source before you travel.
