The climate in Nepal

Climate zone: Subtropics of the northern hemisphere

The climate in Nepal is almost moderate, but also offers a few muggy months with high humidity and high temperatures. For several months of the year, it is warm to hot at temperatures continuously above 25 degrees Celsius, sometimes up to 29 degrees. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is Central Region. The coldest is Eastern Region. Due to less rain, the best time for traveling is from October to March. The most rain days occur from from May to September.

Temperature records of the last 45 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1977 to August 2022 was reported by the Kathmandu weather station. In April 1999, the record temperature of 35.6 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 4 weather stations in Nepal below 2,130 meters altitude, was recorded in 2012 with an average temperature of 24.8 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 23.8 degrees Celsius. The average maximum daily temperature at that time was 29.4 °C.

The coldest day in these 45 years was reported by the Kathmandu weather station. Here the temperature dropped to -4.2 °C in October 2011. Kathmandu lies at an altitude of 1,337 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 1979 with an average temperature of 11.1 °C. In Nepal, it is usual to have about 3.1 degrees more at 14.1 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in August 1987. With 26.8 mm per day, the Simra weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 45 years.

Data basis and methodology

The data from the individual measuring stations are based on the archives of the German Weather Service, individual values averaged and supplemented by own elements. In order to determine a representative national average, average values were first calculated for each part of the country, which were then summarized at the national level.