Tibet’s Climate Guide: Best Time to Visit & Weather Variations
The weather and climate in Tibet are not as harsh as many people expect to. The climate is favourable to travel from April to November. Most ideal in August and September, so knowing about weather and temperature information is obviously useful for your travel in Tibet. To have direct Tibet weather and climate references, please take a quick look at those Tibet travel photos taken under different regions of Tibet in different weather conditions.
Tibet’s Climates are quite different from South-east to North-west and temperatures vary a lot within a day. Summer in Tibet is cool while winter is not very cold owing to the intense sunlight.
Most annual rainfall comes in the rainy season, starting from June to September when the precipitation covers 90% of the whole year. Usually, it rains at night in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Chamdo areas.
Best Time to Visit Tibet
What time is best to visit Tibet? Generally speaking, the 8 months from April to November is the golden time. However, you can visit Tibet all year round to explore different beautiful sceneries.
Spring – warm & delightful: In spring, from March to May, the weather begins to warm up. The temperature is still low. Please bring long-sleeve shirts, light sweaters and jackets. Summer – sunny & hot: Summer, from June to August, is the golden time to travel to the various attractions in Tibet regions and enjoy the high-altitude sites when the mountains are snow-free. In summer, Tibetans hold famous festivals, such as the Ganden Thangka Festival, Shoton Festival and Nagqu Horse Racing Festival. Please wear summer clothes, but jackets and sweaters are necessary. Autumn – humid & pleasant: In autumn, from September to October, the weather is the most comfortable during the year, and the landscapes are the most beautiful. Prepare long-sleeve shirts, sweaters and overcoats. Winter – cold & dry: Winter, from November to February, is considered the low tourist season. The weather is getting more and more dry and windy. Travelers can join the Tibetan New Year ( between late December and February ) and the streets will be colorfully decorated for the event. Prepare down jackets, sweaters and so on.
The Climate Table of Major Cities in Tibet
Place Name
Avg Annual Tempt (0C)
Avg Monthly Tempt (0C)
Altitude
North Latitude
Lhasa
7.5
-2.2
3658
29042′
Tsedang
8.3
-0.7
3500
29015′
Gyangtse
4.7
-5.1
4040
28055′
Shigatse
6.3
-3.8
3836
29013′
Damshong
1.3
-8.8
4200
30029′
Nakchu
-1.8
-13.8
4507
31029′
Dingri
0.7
-11.3
4300
28038′
Nyingtri
8.6
-0.2
3000
39033′
Pomi
8.5
-0.2
2750
29052′
Chamdo
7.6
-2.5
3240
31011′
The Features of Tibet Weather
Tibet plateau is bounded by two mighty ranges, where Himalayan range consisting of the world’s highest peak Mt. Everest situated from south to west, and the Thanggula range in the north. Tibet weather has the following features:
1. In summer, it is the severe, dry and continental climate in Tibet, with strong winds, low humidity, a rarified atmosphere and a huge fluctuation. In winter, the average annual snowfall is only 18 inches, due to the effect of rain shadow.
2. The north of the Tibet plateau is exposed to unhampered cool air, and the south part is influenced by the tropical and equatorial air masses.
3. The western passes receive small amounts of fresh snow each year but remain traversable all year around.
4. Low temperatures are prevalent throughout the western regions where wind sweeps unchecked across vast expanses of arid plains.
5. Indian monsoon exerts some influence on the eastern Tibet regions.
The Climate of Famous Destinations in Tibet
Central and Southeast areas of Tibet: including Lhasa, Shigatse, Lhatse, Tingri, Nyalam, and Tsedang, along the Friendship Highway are in good conditions all year around, with relatively pleasant weather and well-equipped tourist facilities. The thawed road could cause some trouble from November to February, but it will bring bigger discounts and be less crowded in this low season.
Mount Everest: The months from May to October are the best times to visit Mt. Everest areas. Clear weather makes a great chance to see the true face of the highest peak. Try to avoid the period from November to February because of the extreme cold.
Mount Kailash: The suitable time is May, June, July, September and October. Other times heavy rain and snow make the tour worse.
Eastern Tibet: Try to avoid coming here during July and August ( rainy season ) and in winter ( frozen season ), because the roads will be closed, with potential heavy landslides.
Northern Tibet: Summer ( July and August ) is a good time to enjoy the great plain scenes of northern Tibet.
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