Chiang Mai monthly weather and climate
Chiang Mai · Northern Thailand, mountains
January morning temperatures in Chiang Mai can fall to 15°C or lower, followed by clear days. In February and March, however, smoke from crop burning can make the sky hazy. Low rainfall does not necessarily mean clean air, so consider the timing of haze as well as temperatures when choosing your month to visit.
4 mmJan9 mmFeb18 mmMar57 mmApr162 mmMay125 mmJun140 mmJul217 mmAug211 mmSep118 mmOct54 mmNov16 mmDec
When are the dry and rainy seasons?
- Best time to visit
- Nov–Feb
- Dry season
- Nov–Feb
- Rainy season
- May–Oct
- Hottest month
- Apr (36°C)
- Wettest month
- Aug (217 mm)
Monthly weather and climate
Use the table below to compare hotter and wetter months. These are historical climate averages, so they do not give a forecast for your travel dates or tell you whether you will be able to swim.
| Month | Travel rating | Temperature | Rainfall | Rainy days | Humidity | Sunshine | Sea conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ++ Very good | 15~29°C | 4 mm | 1 days | 68% | 8.8 hours | Not applicable |
| February | ++ Very good | 17~32°C | 9 mm | 1 days | 58% | 9.1 hours | Not applicable |
| March | ++ Very good | 20~35°C | 18 mm | 2 days | 52% | 9.5 hours | Not applicable |
| April | + Good | 23~36°C | 57 mm | 7 days | 57% | 9.3 hours | Not applicable |
| May | ± Average | 24~34°C | 162 mm | 15 days | 71% | 6.4 hours | Not applicable |
| June | ± Average | 24~32°C | 125 mm | 17 days | 77% | 5.2 hours | Not applicable |
| July | - Not recommended | 24~31°C | 140 mm | 19 days | 79% | 3.9 hours | Not applicable |
| August | - Not recommended | 24~31°C | 217 mm | 21 days | 81% | 3.8 hours | Not applicable |
| September | - Not recommended | 23~31°C | 211 mm | 18 days | 81% | 4.8 hours | Not applicable |
| October | + Good | 22~30°C | 118 mm | 12 days | 79% | 6.5 hours | Not applicable |
| November | + Good | 18~29°C | 54 mm | 5 days | 75% | 7.2 hours | Not applicable |
| December | ++ Very good | 15~28°C | 16 mm | 1 days | 73% | 8.2 hours | Not applicable |
| Month | Weather and travel advice |
|---|---|
| January | This is the coolest month of the year. Morning temperatures can fall to 15°C or lower, but days are clear. |
| February | It is clear and dry, but smoke from crop burning begins to thicken. Little rain does not necessarily mean clean air. |
| March | Air pollution from crop burning is at its worst. The weather is hot and skies are hazy. |
| April | The hottest month coincides with the Songkran festival. The existing weather description places the end of the smog period here, but that does not mean the whole month is free from haze. |
| May | The rainy season begins and the mountains turn green. Smoke from burning also decreases. |
| June | This is a rainy month. Mornings are clear before afternoon showers arrive over the mountains. |
| July | It is humid and cloudy. Temperatures become cooler and the surrounding landscape is lush and green. |
| August | This is the wettest month. Cloud cover also brings the fewest sunshine hours. |
| September | Rain continues and rice is growing well in the paddy fields. |
| October | Rain eases while the landscape stays green. |
| November | The dry season begins and evenings become cooler. Air quality also improves. |
| December | This is a cool, dry month. Pleasant mornings are a good time to explore temples. |