Season by season
Cool & dry season
November to February is the classic season: warm sunny days, cold nights and valleys filled with mist at dawn. Rice is harvested in November, and December and January are the busiest months, especially at weekends and over New Year.
Hot season
March to May is hot and dry. From late February to mid-April smoke from forest and field fires often makes the air hazardous here and blots out the views; many long-stay residents leave. The first storms in May clear the air.
Rainy season & sea conditions
June to October is the rainy season. Showers are frequent but rarely last all day, the paddies are bright green and waterfalls thunder. Parts of Tham Lod may be closed by high water, and landslips occasionally delay the mountain roads.
Month by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 15°C | 10 mm | Very busy |
| February | 33°C | 16°C | 10 mm | Busy |
| March | 35°C | 20°C | 20 mm | Busy |
| April | 36°C | 23°C | 55 mm | Busy |
| May | 34°C | 24°C | 150 mm | Quiet |
| June | 33°C | 24°C | 120 mm | Quiet |
| July | 32°C | 24°C | 150 mm | Quiet |
| August | 32°C | 24°C | 220 mm | Quiet |
| September | 32°C | 23°C | 210 mm | Quiet |
| October | 31°C | 22°C | 120 mm | Busy |
| November | 30°C | 19°C | 45 mm | Busy |
| December | 29°C | 16°C | 15 mm | Very busy |
Temperatures and rainfall are approximate long-term averages for the nearest weather station; individual years vary, and mountain areas are cooler than the figures shown.
Festivals & events
- January: Lisu and Lahu New Year celebrations in the hill villages, on dates that vary by community.
- April: Poi Sang Long in Mae Hong Son, when Shan boys in jewelled costumes are paraded before becoming novice monks.
- April: Songkran, celebrated with water fights on Pai’s main street.
- November: Loy Krathong, and the bloom of wild Mexican sunflowers on the hills of Mae Hong Son province.
Our advice
Choose November to early February for clear air, cool nights and the sea of mist, or July to September for emerald rice fields. Avoid March and the first half of April. More in our Thailand seasons guide.
