
Each of Bhutan’s seasons has its advantages and disadvantages for the visitor. Notice should be taken of the predictable weather patterns before making decisions when to visit. Remember that even predictable weather can vary dramatically in different areas and in 24-hour periods.
The southern plains close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than higher central valleys. In the central valleys of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhunsthi, visitors enjoya semi tropical climate with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow-fall in the winter.
Views over the high Himalayas are usually only possible from September to March. September through November is the magnificent season for trekking. Clear skies in the winter months bring with them cold weather, but it’s also the best time of the year to view the snow-capped peaks of the high Himalayan mountains.
High Season: Mar, Apr, May, June, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Low Season: Jan, Feb, July, Aug
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Places | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. | max. min. |
Paro | 9.4 -5.8 | 13.4 1.5 | 14.5 0.6 | 17.6 4.6 | 23.5 10.6 | 25.4 14.1 | 26.8 14.9 | 25.3 14.7 | 23.4 11.7 | 18.7 7.4 | 13.9 1.4 | 11.2 -1.7 |
Thimphu | 12.3 -2.6 | 14.4 0.6 | 16.4 3.9 | 20.0 7.1 | 22.5 13.1 | 24.4 15.2 | 18.9 13.4 | 25.0 15.8 | 23.1 15.0 | 21.9 10.4 | 17.9 5.0 | 14.5 -1.1 |
Punakha | 16.1 4.2 | 19.6 5.3 | 21.2 9.2 | 24.4 11.9 | 27.2 14.8 | 31.2 19.5 | 32.0 21.6 | 31.4 19.8 | 29.9 20.4 | 27.8 18.9 | 22.3 13.0 | 15.0 7.9 |
Wangdi | 17.0 4.3 | 19.0 7.8 | 22.8 10.4 | 26.2 12.9 | 29.1 17.7 | 29.2 20.1 | 18.4 16.2 | 29.1 20.0 | 27.5 19.1 | 26.1 14.7 | 22.6 9.6 | 19.1 6.3 |
Trongsa | 13.0 -0.2 | 13.9 0.4 | 16.7 4.4 | 20.1 6.6 | 21.0 11.6 | 22.2 13.6 | 25.3 15.3 | 23.8 15.0 | 22.6 14.2 | 21.8 11.7 | 19.8 6.4 | 18.2 2.5 |
Bumthang | 10.8 -5.1 | 10.0 -1.4 | 16.2 3.5 | 18.7 3.9 | 21.3 9.5 | 22.5 13.5 | 14.1 10.9 | 23.0 13.7 | 21.6 12.1 | 19.5 5.9 | 16.1 -0.5 | 12.3 -2.3 |
Mongar | 15.5 8.2 | 15.9 8.3 | 20.0 11.6 | 22.8 14.0 | 25.1 17.4 | 26.1 19.5 | 16.1 15.8 | 25.4 19.6 | 24.7 19.4 | 22.7 15.8 | 19.9 11.2 | 15.7 9.5 |
Trashigang | 20.4 10.5 | 21.7 11.5 | 24.8 14.4 | 28.3 17.0 | 30.0 20.6 | 30.7 22.6 | 31.5 23.1 | 30.2 22.7 | 30.0 23.9 | 29.1 17.7 | 26.1 13.6 | 23.0 11.6 |