Climate Overview
The climate in Thimphu is cool. The average annual temperature is 7°C and approximately 2756mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 759mm of rainfall. Thimphu is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, June, July. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to -7°C. Thimphu experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Temperatures in Thimphu vary considerably across the year, with a 25°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. August is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 18°C with a mean of 14°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -7°C and the daily average is -2°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 4°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Thimphu is a very wet location, receiving approximately 2756mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 230mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 759mm of rainfall. June and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 26mm. That's 733mm less than July, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Thimphu receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 201cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is March, with approximately 46cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Thimphu is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 1km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 1km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in September, with average winds dropping to 1km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 0km/h between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
93 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in Thimphu, which began on June 21, 2026. Thimphu is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 18°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -7°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 93 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from -2 to 14°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 481mm across the season with a monthly average of 160mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 10 to 18°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 1587mm across the season with a monthly average of 529mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from -1 to 16°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 557mm across the season with a monthly average of 186mm. Expect around 20cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -7 to 8°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 131mm over the season and a monthly average of 44mm. Expect around 94cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. Warm winter clothing and waterproof boots are a must, and travel may be affected by snow.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Thimphu based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.
