Climate In Bhutan

The climate of Bhutan varies accordingly to the elevation. In the southern border areas, it is tropical while in the higher altitude regions, there is perpetual snow. The southern region temperature ranges from 15 degree centigrade in winter(December to February) to 30 degree centigrade in summer(June to August). In Paro, the range is from minus 5 degree centigrade in January to 30 degree centigrade in July, with 800mm of rain. In the high mountain regions, the average temperature is 0 degree centigrade in winter and may reach 10 degree centigrade in summer, with an average of 350mm of rain.

Only in the high Himalayan regions does the snow remain year around- in the form of glaciers. Some snowfalls in northern and central Bhutan but does not remain on the ground for long. As a general rule, snow melts immediately below 2400m, stays a short while (longer in shaded areas) between 2400m and 3500m, and remains on the ground until early March above 3500m.

Rain occurs primarily during the south-west monsoon season from June to September. Bhutan bears the brunt of the monsoon, receiving more rainfall than other Himalayan regions-upto 5.5m a year. Only 150km south of Bhutan, Cherrapunji in Assam has recorded the highest rainfall in the world, averaging 9.5m annually with a record of 19.7m, the height of a six storey building.

Precipitation varies significantly with the elevation. During the monsoon, heavy rain falls almost every night; in the day , there may be long periods without rain. Low clouds hang on the hills, obscuring views and if they are too low, forcing the cancellation of flights at Paro airport.

Very little rain falls during the autumn, from October to December, making this the ideal season for trekking and mountain viewing. On clear days during this period, the mountain views are truly spectacular.