Climate Overview
The climate in Sa Pa is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 20°C and approximately 2180mm of precipitation falls per year. Sa Pa receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Sa Pa is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: May, June, August. The coldest months are December, February, January, when temperatures can drop to 11°C.
Temperature
Sa Pa sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 11°C to 28°C. The warmest month is May, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 24°C. December is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 11°C and an average of 15°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between February and March, with a 4°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Sa Pa is a very wet location, receiving approximately 2180mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 182mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 472mm of rainfall. July and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 54mm. That's 418mm less than August, 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.
Wind
Sa Pa 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 August, 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
91 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in Sa Pa, which began on June 21, 2026. Sa Pa 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 May at around 28°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in December near 11°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 91 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 14 to 28°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 457mm across the season with a monthly average of 152mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 22 to 28°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 1104mm across the season with a monthly average of 368mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal — perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 15 to 28°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 379mm across the season with a monthly average of 126mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 11 to 20°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 240mm for the season, averaging 80mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sa Pa is during February and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 17°C with modest rainfall averaging 60mm per month. By contrast, May can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 28°C, while December is the coldest period with lows dropping to 11°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Sa Pa 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. 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.