Bhutan climate guide · Updated October 2026
Bhutan Weather by Month: Temperature, Rainfall and the Best Time to Go
Licensed operator No. 1052914
Data: NCHM station averages
Local team based in Thimphu
The short version
What is the weather like in Bhutan?
Bhutan has dry, sunny, cold winters and warm, wet summers, and the temperature you feel depends mostly on how high you are. The monsoon brings most of the year’s rain between June and September, with pre-monsoon showers building through May. October and November give the clearest skies and the most settled weather; March and April are the best of spring. December to February is dry and bright but cold at night.
“Bhutan weather” on its own is a slippery phrase. On an average July day it is about 32°C in Phuentsholing on the Indian border and about 20°C in the Phobjikha Valley, a few hours’ drive apart. The country climbs from under 300 m in the south to more than 7,000 m on the northern border, so it really has several climates stacked on top of each other.
That is why this guide gives you numbers for seven towns rather than one figure for the whole country. All temperature and rainfall figures below are long-term station averages from Bhutan’s National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), mostly for 1996–2017, rounded to whole numbers. Any single year can be warmer, cooler, wetter or drier.
If you are still choosing dates, read this alongside our best time to visit Bhutan guide, which weighs weather against festivals, crowds and price.
Bhutan weather at a glance
Best weather overall
Mid-October to November
Best spring weather
March and April
Monsoon
June to September (showers from May)
Rainiest month
July (August in Phobjikha)
Driest months
November to January
Coldest month
January
Thimphu in January
About −2°C to 15°C
Thimphu in July
About 17°C to 27°C
Punakha altitude
About 1,240 m
Paro / Thimphu altitude
About 2,250 m / 2,320 m
Snow
High passes Dec–Feb; light falls in Thimphu some winters
Altitude decides everything
What are Bhutan’s climate zones?
Southern foothills: subtropical (below about 1,500 m)
Inner valleys: temperate (about 1,200–3,000 m)
High Himalaya: alpine (above about 3,000 m)
How high is everywhere?
What are the altitudes of Bhutan’s main towns and passes?
Place
Approx. altitude
Climate character
What it means for you
Phuentsholing
about 290 m
Subtropical, very wet
Hot and humid year-round; the southern overland gateway from India.
Punakha
about 1,240 m
Warm temperate
Bhutan’s mild winter valley; hot and humid in summer.
Wangdue Phodrang
about 1,270 m
Warm temperate
Behaves almost exactly like neighbouring Punakha.
Trongsa
about 2,200 m
Temperate
On the central ridge; cloud and mist are common.
Paro
about 2,250 m (airport 2,235 m)
Temperate, relatively dry
One of the driest valleys you will visit; frosty winter nights.
Thimphu
about 2,320 m (city spans 2,250–2,650 m)
Temperate, relatively dry
Cold, sunny winters; warm, showery summers.
Jakar (Bumthang)
about 2,500–2,600 m
Cool temperate
Colder than Thimphu; freezing nights from November to March.
Haa
about 2,700 m
Cool temperate
Cold winters; reached over Chele La from Paro.
Gasa
about 2,760 m
Cool and wet
Hot springs and the gateway to the Laya treks.
Phobjikha / Gangtey
about 2,900–3,000 m
Cold, very wet in summer
Crane valley; the coldest place on most itineraries.
Dochula pass
3,116 m
Alpine edge
Himalayan views on clear winter and autumn mornings; occasional snow.
Pele La / Yotong La
about 3,400 m
Alpine
Main road east to Trongsa and Bumthang; snow and black ice in winter.
Thrumshing La
3,780 m
Alpine
Bumthang to Mongar; one of the passes most often closed by snow.
Chele La
close to 4,000 m
Alpine
Highest road pass on most tours (Paro to Haa); snow can close it in winter.
Four seasons, one country
What are the seasons in Bhutan?
Spring: March to May
Summer monsoon: June to September
Autumn: late September to November
Winter: December to February
How much rain does Bhutan get?
about 610 mm
Thimphu
about 630 mm
Paro
about 760 mm
Jakar (Bumthang)
about 790 mm
Punakha
about 1,750 mm
Gasa
about 2,230 mm
Phobjikha
about 3,950 mm
Phuentsholing
Rainfall in Bhutan varies enormously from place to place. The southern foothills take the full force of the monsoon as it hits the Himalaya; the inner valleys of Paro and Thimphu sit in a partial rain shadow behind the first ridges and are surprisingly dry. Average annual rainfall, NCHM station data:
Rainfall in Bhutan
Why is Paro so dry and Phobjikha so wet?
Paro and Thimphu are the driest valleys most visitors see, and Phobjikha is the wettest. In a typical year Paro and Thimphu get around 600 mm of rain, about the same as London. Phobjikha gets more than three times as much, and Phuentsholing more than six times.
The reason is geography. Monsoon air moves north from the Bay of Bengal and drops most of its moisture as it is forced up the southern slopes. By the time it has crossed the first high ridges, there is much less left for the sheltered inner valleys. Phobjikha is the exception: it is open to the south and catches moist air that funnels up from the lower valleys. That is why its floor is a marsh, and part of why the black-necked cranes like it.
Two practical points come out of the numbers:
- Count rain days, not just millimetres. Thimphu’s July total of about 150 mm falls over around 19 days, usually as afternoon and overnight showers rather than all-day downpours. Most mornings are usable.
- A western-valley monsoon trip is very different from one that goes into the highlands or the south. In July, Paro averages about 160 mm, Phobjikha about 520 mm and Phuentsholing nearly 960 mm.
A note on sources. Many weather websites publish Bhutan figures from computer-modelled grids, which struggle in steep mountains, so you will see widely conflicting numbers online, sometimes a July high of 15°C for Thimphu, sometimes 27°C. We have used NCHM’s measured station averages throughout and rounded them, and we have not mixed sources within a table.
Bhutan rainfall by month
How much does it rain in Bhutan each month?
Month
Paro
Thimphu
Punakha
Jakar
Gasa
Phobjikha
Phuentsholing
Thimphu rain days
Jan
7
6
14
6
19
4
17
1
Feb
13
9
22
11
28
11
31
1
Mar
22
20
17
34
87
90
80
4
Apr
34
30
44
67
100
189
217
6
May
59
50
85
94
165
274
380
9
Jun
81
98
143
98
295
268
807
14
Jul
161
153
158
156
371
516
963
19
Aug
113
121
148
139
324
530
779
17
Sep
88
74
101
89
195
211
493
12
Oct
49
43
46
57
116
97
163
5
Nov
2
1
5
7
36
37
13
<1
Dec
3
4
4
2
11
1
10
1
Year
631
609
786
759
~1,750
2,228
3,953
88
Bhutan temperature by month
What are the average temperatures in Bhutan by month?
Month
Phuentsholing (290 m)
Punakha (1,240 m)
Paro (2,250 m)
Thimphu (2,320 m)
Jakar (2,550 m)
Gasa (2,760 m)
Phobjikha (2,900 m)
Jan
13 / 24
6 / 19
−1 / 13
−2 / 15
−4 / 11
−1 / 10
−4 / 9
Feb
16 / 27
8 / 21
1 / 15
0 / 17
−1 / 13
−1 / 10
−3 / 11
Mar
19 / 30
11 / 24
4 / 18
4 / 19
2 / 15
3 / 13
1 / 13
Apr
20 / 31
14 / 27
8 / 21
8 / 22
6 / 18
6 / 16
3 / 16
May
22 / 32
17 / 29
11 / 23
12 / 25
10 / 20
8 / 18
7 / 18
Jun
23 / 32
20 / 31
15 / 25
15 / 27
13 / 22
11 / 20
10 / 20
Jul
24 / 32
21 / 31
16 / 25
17 / 27
14 / 23
12 / 21
11 / 20
Aug
24 / 32
21 / 30
16 / 25
16 / 27
14 / 23
12 / 21
11 / 20
Sep
23 / 32
19 / 29
14 / 23
15 / 26
13 / 22
11 / 20
10 / 19
Oct
21 / 31
17 / 27
9 / 21
9 / 24
7 / 19
9 / 18
6 / 17
Nov
18 / 29
11 / 24
5 / 17
3 / 20
1 / 16
2 / 13
0 / 13
Dec
15 / 25
7 / 20
1 / 15
−1 / 17
−3 / 13
0 / 11
−4 / 11
Year
20 / 30
14 / 26
8 / 20
8 / 22
6 / 18
6 / 17
4 / 16
Temperature in Thimphu and Paro
What is the temperature in Thimphu and Paro through the year?
Thimphu ranges from about −2°C on a January night to about 27°C on a July afternoon. The yearly average high is about 22°C and the average low about 8°C. Paro, just over an hour away and at a similar height, runs a degree or two cooler by day and is a touch drier overall.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): clear, sunny days of 13–17°C, frosty nights around −2 to 1°C. It feels warm in direct sun and cold the moment you step into shade or a temple.
- Spring (Mar–May): warming fast, from about 4/19°C in March to 12/25°C in May in Thimphu. March and April are mostly dry.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep): warm and humid at about 15–17°C at night and 25–27°C by day, with rain on more than half the days in July and August.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov): about 9/24°C in October falling to 3/20°C in November in Thimphu, and almost no rain in November.
Because both valleys have long, dry, sunny winters, Paro and Thimphu work year-round for sightseeing. The main things that change are the views and what you need to pack. The Tiger’s Nest hike above Paro is possible in every month; in winter start a little later for warmth, and in summer start early to beat the afternoon cloud.
Thimphu and Paro in numbers
Thimphu warmest month
Jul–Aug, about 16–17 / 27°C
Thimphu coldest month
Jan, about −2 / 15°C
Paro warmest month
Jul–Aug, about 16 / 25°C
Paro coldest month
Jan, about −1 / 13°C
Thimphu annual rain
about 610 mm
Paro annual rain
about 630 mm
Wettest month (both)
July
Driest month (both)
November
Bhutan weather by month
What is Bhutan like each month of the year?
01
January: coldest, driest, clearest
Paro −1/13 · Thimphu −2/15 · Punakha 6/19 · Phobjikha −4/9
The heart of winter. Rain is close to zero in the western valleys and the air is sharp and clear, so this is one of the best months for Himalayan views from Dochula. Nights are below freezing above about 2,300 m and hotel rooms rely on heaters or a wood stove. Black-necked cranes are settled in Phobjikha. Festivals are few; some smaller village festivals take place.
Pros: clear skies, empty dzongs, cranes, the easiest bookings of the year. Cons: cold nights and cold temples; snow or ice can close Chele La or the passes to the east for hours or days.
02
February: winter starting to ease
Paro 1/15 · Thimphu 0/17 · Punakha 8/21 · Phobjikha −3/11
Still dry and sunny, with afternoons noticeably warmer than January. Losar, the Bhutanese New Year, usually falls in February or early March, and the Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu often fall in February or March. Cranes start leaving Phobjikha in mid to late February. Peach and plum blossom begin in the lower valleys toward the end of the month.
Pros: the sweet spot of winter: still quiet, still clear, but less bitter. Cons: passes can still ice up; Punakha festival dates fill hotels in that valley.
03
March: spring arrives
Paro 4/18 · Thimphu 4/19 · Punakha 11/24 · Phobjikha 1/13
The first true spring month. Paro and Thimphu stay mostly dry at about 20 mm of rain, rhododendrons begin flowering on the passes, and Punakha is pleasantly warm. Paro Tshechu usually falls in late March or April. Haze can start to soften the distant mountain views later in the month, and Phobjikha already turns wetter.
Pros: comfortable days, blossom, festivals, good trekking at lower and mid altitudes. Cons: busy around Paro Tshechu; nights still cold in the high valleys.
04
April: the flower month
Paro 8/21 · Thimphu 8/22 · Punakha 14/27 · Phobjikha 3/16
Many people’s favourite spring month. Jacarandas around Punakha Dzong, rhododendrons on Dochula and Pele La, and warm, bright days. Rain picks up gently in the west (about 30 mm in Paro and Thimphu) but much more in Phobjikha (about 190 mm). Paro Tshechu often falls in early April; Ura Yakchoe in Bumthang usually falls in April or May.
Pros: the prettiest landscapes of the year, spring trekking season. Cons: spring haze makes clear Himalayan views less certain than in autumn; one of the busier months.
05
May: warm, green and getting wetter
Paro 11/23 · Thimphu 12/25 · Punakha 17/29 · Phobjikha 7/18
Late spring with pre-monsoon showers. Rain roughly doubles from April: about 50–60 mm in Paro and Thimphu, nearly 275 mm in Phobjikha. Afternoon cloud builds most days, and Punakha becomes properly hot and humid. Early May is far more settled than late May.
Pros: fewer visitors than April, lush valleys, late rhododendrons higher up. Cons: mountain views become unreliable; start days early to make the most of clearer mornings.
06
June: the monsoon arrives
Paro 15/25 · Thimphu 15/27 · Punakha 20/31 · Phuentsholing 23/32
The monsoon usually sets in during June. Rain in Thimphu doubles to about 100 mm across around 14 days, and the south gets drenched (Phuentsholing averages about 800 mm). Mornings are often bright; cloud usually closes in after lunch. Kurjey and Nimalung festivals in Bumthang often fall in June or July.
Pros: quieter, greener, easier hotel availability. Cons: peaks usually hidden; first landslides on mountain roads; leeches on lower trails.
07
July: the rainiest month
Paro 16/25 · Thimphu 17/27 · Punakha 21/31 · Phuentsholing 24/32
Peak monsoon. July is the wettest month in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Bumthang and the south: about 150–160 mm in the western valleys over roughly 19 rain days, and nearly 960 mm in Phuentsholing. Warm and humid, with cloud sitting on the slopes for days at a time. The Haa Summer Festival usually takes place in July.
Pros: lowest visitor numbers, vivid green rice terraces, rural life in full swing. Cons: landslide delays, possible flight delays at Paro, mountain views rare. Build in a spare day.
08
August: still monsoon
Paro 16/25 · Thimphu 16/27 · Punakha 21/30 · Phobjikha 11/20
Slightly less rain than July in most of the west (about 115–120 mm in Paro and Thimphu), but August is the wettest month in Phobjikha at about 530 mm. Warm, damp and very green. Late August often brings longer dry spells, though it is no guarantee.
Pros: calm sightseeing in the western valleys, flowers in the high pastures. Cons: roads and flights still at the mercy of the weather; high treks closed or unpleasant.
09
September: the turn
Paro 14/23 · Thimphu 15/26 · Punakha 19/29 · Phobjikha 10/19
Rain drops sharply through the month, to about 75–90 mm in Paro and Thimphu, and by the last week or two the monsoon is usually withdrawing. Rice terraces turn gold toward harvest. Thimphu Tshechu fell in late September in 2026; in 2027 it is expected in October. Autumn treks begin from mid to late September.
Pros: green and gold landscapes, festivals, good value early in the month. Cons: the first half can still feel like monsoon; the exact turn varies each year.
10
October: the classic month
Paro 9/21 · Thimphu 9/24 · Punakha 17/27 · Phobjikha 6/17
Fresh, clear and mostly dry, with bright days and cool nights. Paro gets about 49 mm of rain over just four or five days, most of it early in the month. Peak trekking season. Big festivals usually include Thimphu Tshechu (tentatively 10–12 October in 2027), Wangdue and Gangtey festivals, and Jambay Lhakhang Drup in Bumthang in some years. Cranes start arriving in Phobjikha in late October.
Pros: the best all-round weather and festivals together. Cons: the busiest month; book hotels and flights months ahead.
11
November: driest and clearest
Paro 5/17 · Thimphu 3/20 · Punakha 11/24 · Phobjikha 0/13
The driest month in the western valleys: Paro and Thimphu average just 1–2 mm of rain and less than one rain day. Crisp, sunny days and the sharpest mountain views of the year, with nights turning cold. The Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangtey is held on 11 November, and Jambay Lhakhang Drup often falls in late October or November.
Pros: our favourite month for views, photography and trekking. Cons: cold nights in Phobjikha and Bumthang; still a popular month, so book early.
12
December: winter returns
Paro 1/15 · Thimphu −1/17 · Punakha 7/20 · Phobjikha −4/11
Dry and bright with cold nights. Rainfall is around 1–4 mm in most valleys. The Druk Wangyel Tshechu at Dochula is held on 13 December every year, and Trongsa and other eastern tshechus often fall in December or January. Snow becomes possible on the high passes toward the end of the month.
Pros: clear views, few visitors, cranes in Phobjikha, good value. Cons: cold rooms and temples; plan high-pass days with flexibility.
Weather in Bhutan in November 2026
What is the weather in Bhutan in November?
November is the driest, clearest month in western Bhutan: expect sunny days of about 17–20°C in Paro and Thimphu, nights of about 3–5°C, and almost no rain. Over the long-term record, Thimphu averages about 1 mm of rain in November and Paro about 2 mm, with less than one rain day in the month.
Temperature in Bhutan in November by place (average low / high):
- Punakha: about 11 / 24°C. Warm enough for a T-shirt at midday.
- Paro: about 5 / 17°C.
- Thimphu: about 3 / 20°C.
- Jakar, Bumthang: about 1 / 16°C, with frost most mornings by the end of the month.
- Phobjikha: about 0 / 13°C, with hard frosts on the valley floor.
- Phuentsholing: about 18 / 29°C.
If you are travelling in November 2026, plan for these averages, then check NCHM’s daily forecasts in the week before you fly. We cannot forecast a specific day this far out, and neither can anyone else, but November is the most predictable month in the Bhutanese calendar. Early November is a little milder than late November; by the last week, nights in the high valleys feel properly wintry.
November is also the main month for the black-necked cranes in the Phobjikha Valley. They arrive from late October and stay until about mid-February, and the Black-necked Crane Festival is held in the courtyard of Gangtey Goenpa on 11 November.
Monsoon timing and disruption
When is the monsoon in Bhutan, and does it disrupt travel?
The monsoon runs roughly from June to September. July and August are the wettest months, and pre-monsoon showers start in May. NCHM issues a seasonal monsoon outlook each year; for 2026 it expected onset in June and withdrawal in September, with slightly below-normal total rainfall but the usual risk of heavy rain on individual days.
For travellers the rain itself is rarely the problem. These are the things that actually affect a trip:
- Landslides and roadworks. Heavy rain brings rockfall and small slides on mountain roads, especially on the Thimphu–Phuentsholing highway and the east–west Lateral Road. Most are cleared within hours, but a blocked road can cost half a day, and occasionally more.
- Flights into Paro. Paro is a mountain airport where pilots fly the approach visually in daylight. Low cloud can delay or divert flights, more often in the monsoon. We always add a buffer night before an international connection between June and September.
- Hidden mountains. Cloud often covers the peaks for days at a time. If Himalayan views from Dochula are a priority, the monsoon is the wrong season.
- Trails. Paths get muddy and slippery and leeches appear below about 3,000 m. The Tiger’s Nest hike is still done every day, just more slowly.
The upside is real. Fewer visitors, green rice terraces, quiet temples, and easy availability. A monsoon trip that stays in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, with an early start each day and some slack in the plan, can be a lovely holiday. Our Bhutan safety guide covers road safety and seasonal hazards in more detail.
Winter road closures
Does it snow in Bhutan, and which passes close in winter?
Pass
Altitude
Road
Winter risk
Dochula
3,116 m
Thimphu to Punakha
Occasional snow and ice; usually cleared quickly. Clear winter mornings bring the best views of the year.
Chele La
close to 4,000 m
Paro to Haa
Snow can close it for days in mid-winter; we treat it as “weather permitting” from December to February.
Pele La
about 3,400 m
Wangdue/Phobjikha to Trongsa
Snow and black ice after cold spells; delays rather than long closures in most winters.
Yotong La
3,425 m
Trongsa to Bumthang
Similar to Pele La; early starts are avoided when the road is icy.
Thrumshing La
3,780 m
Bumthang to Mongar (east)
One of the passes most often closed by heavy snow; build flexibility into any winter crossing to the east.
When to trek
When is the best weather for trekking in Bhutan?
Trek type
Best months
Why
Avoid
Short and mid treks (Druk Path, Dagala, Bumthang cultural treks)
Mar–May, late Sep–Nov
Comfortable temperatures, mostly dry trails; some short treks also work in winter on clear days.
Jun–Aug (mud, leeches, no views)
High treks (Jomolhari, Laya)
Apr–May, late Sep–Nov
Passes above 4,500 m are clear of heavy snow and skies are most stable in October.
Dec–Feb (snow on passes), Jun–Aug
Snowman Trek (Lunana)
Late Sep–Oct
The window between monsoon and winter snow is short; heavy snow can close high passes even in autumn.
Every other month
Day hikes (Tiger’s Nest, Chele La ridge, Phobjikha nature trail)
All year
Possible in any month; start early in summer and allow for ice and cold in winter.
Very heavy rain days
Packing by season
What should I pack for Bhutan’s weather?
Spring and autumn
Monsoon (June–September)
Winter (December–February)
Every month
How we use the weather
How do we plan a Bhutan itinerary around the weather?
01
Winter: move the beds, not the sights
02
Late spring: go up for the nights
03
Monsoon: stay west, add slack
04
Autumn: book early, start early
05
Festivals first
06
Honest about views
Our verdict
When is the best weather in Bhutan?
The best weather in Bhutan is from mid-October to the end of November: dry trails, the clearest skies of the year, comfortable days of about 17–24°C in the main valleys, and cranes arriving in Phobjikha. March and April are a close second, with warmer nights and the country in flower, but more haze over the mountains.
If you want quiet and value with clear skies, December to February is underrated, as long as you pack for cold nights. If the monsoon is your only window, come anyway: base yourself in the western valleys, start early, keep a spare day, and enjoy Bhutan at its greenest. Either way, we can build a customised Bhutan tour around your dates.
Common questions
Bhutan weather FAQs
Short, direct answers to the questions we are asked most about Bhutan’s weather. Figures are NCHM long-term averages, rounded.
What is the weather in Bhutan in November?
What is the temperature in Bhutan in November?
What is the rainiest month in Bhutan?
What is the driest month in Bhutan?
When is the monsoon in Bhutan?
How much rainfall does Bhutan get?
Does it snow in Thimphu?
How cold does Bhutan get in winter?
What is the temperature in Thimphu?
What is the altitude of Punakha?
What are the altitudes of Paro and Thimphu?
When is the best weather in Bhutan?
Is it worth visiting Bhutan in the monsoon?
Do flights to Paro get cancelled because of weather?
When is the best time to trek in Bhutan?
When can I see the black-necked cranes?
What should I wear in Bhutan in October?
Where do your weather figures come from?
Plan around the weather
Tell us your dates and we’ll tell you honestly what they bring
- Licensed operator, licence No. 1052914
- Bhutanese-owned, based in Thimphu
- Reply within 48 hours
Plan my trip to Bhutan
Free itinerary and itemised quote