For temple visits, walks through Chiang Mai’s Old City and stops at cafés, choose November–January. Average temperatures of about 22–25°C are lower than in April, and there is less rain than during the summer wet season. December and January have noticeably cooler mornings and nights, so pack a light layer. For mountain trips, use the forecast for your destination rather than the city’s observation figures when deciding what to wear.
The figures below are 1991–2020 climate normals. The station is CHIANG MAI; conditions at beaches, mountains and your accommodation can differ. Scroll the table horizontally.
| Month | Average temperature | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 22.0°C | 30.0°C | 15.7°C | 11.3mm | 1.3 days |
| Month 2 | 24.2°C | 32.9°C | 16.8°C | 9.6mm | 0.9 days |
| Month 3 | 27.3°C | 35.4°C | 20.1°C | 20.4mm | 2.8 days |
| Month 4 | 29.5°C | 36.7°C | 23.4°C | 54.3mm | 6.8 days |
| Month 5 | 28.6°C | 34.7°C | 24.2°C | 167.5mm | 14.8 days |
| Month 6 | 28.0°C | 33.2°C | 24.5°C | 118.2mm | 16.3 days |
| Month 7 | 27.4°C | 32.1°C | 24.3°C | 148.6mm | 18.8 days |
| Month 8 | 26.9°C | 31.6°C | 24.0°C | 223.3mm | 20.9 days |
| Month 9 | 26.9°C | 32.0°C | 23.7°C | 207.2mm | 18.1 days |
| Month 10 | 26.4°C | 31.7°C | 22.6°C | 123.8mm | 11.8 days |
| Month 11 | 24.6°C | 30.8°C | 19.9°C | 40.9mm | 4.2 days |
| Month 12 | 22.2°C | 29.2°C | 16.9°C | 14.1mm | 1.8 days |
The station table is on PDF page 11. Rainy-day counts are averages and do not mean rain lasts all day.
The suggestions and cautions are editorial itinerary advice based on climate figures. Check the day’s weather and marine activity operations separately before setting out.
What to enjoy this month
Explore Chiang Mai’s Old City and temples on foot. Enjoy daytime sightseeing and take an extra layer if you go out early or in the evening.
What to bear in mind
Mornings and nights are much cooler than the daytime. Take a light layer if you go out early or return late.
What to enjoy this month
Start an Old City walk in the morning and rest in a café during the day. Breaks between temples help you avoid the midday heat.
What to bear in mind
Mornings and nights are much cooler than the daytime. Take a light layer if you go out early or return late.
What to enjoy this month
Explore the Old City and temples in the morning, then visit cafés or indoor exhibitions during the hot afternoon. Go out for another walk as the sun gets lower.
What to bear in mind
Long walks around midday can be tiring in the heat. Carry water and take breaks in the shade between outings.
What to enjoy this month
Finish temple visits early and take your time over a meal indoors during the afternoon. Avoid putting every long walk into the same day.
What to bear in mind
Long walks around midday can be tiring in the heat. Carry water and take breaks in the shade between outings.
What to enjoy this month
When visiting temples, find nearby cafés or indoor exhibitions too. Rest indoors when it rains and continue sightseeing afterwards.
What to bear in mind
Leave time to shelter from rain and keep indoor alternatives, rather than filling the day with outdoor activities.
What to enjoy this month
Rest in a café or visit an indoor exhibition, then walk through the Old City when rain eases.
What to bear in mind
Leave time to shelter from rain and keep indoor alternatives, rather than filling the day with outdoor activities.
What to enjoy this month
If it rains during an Old City walk, stop in a nearby café. Adjust the time you spend exploring on foot to the weather.
What to bear in mind
Leave time to shelter from rain and keep indoor alternatives, rather than filling the day with outdoor activities.
What to enjoy this month
Enjoy cafés and indoor exhibitions during heavy rain. Continue temple visits or Old City walks once it eases.
What to bear in mind
Leave time to shelter from rain and keep indoor alternatives, rather than filling the day with outdoor activities.
What to enjoy this month
Plan temple visits together with café breaks. This lets you continue your day without travelling far in the rain.
What to bear in mind
Leave time to shelter from rain and keep indoor alternatives, rather than filling the day with outdoor activities.
What to enjoy this month
Visit an indoor exhibition or rest in a café, then head into the Old City when rain eases. Group nearby places together to make rainy journeys easier.
What to bear in mind
Leave time to shelter from rain and keep indoor alternatives, rather than filling the day with outdoor activities.
What to enjoy this month
Explore temples and the Old City, then stop at a café. Relatively low rainfall makes this a useful time for sightseeing on foot.
What to bear in mind
Even with less rain, midday is hot and showers are possible. Pack a hat and a light umbrella.
What to enjoy this month
Enjoy walking through the Old City and visiting temples. Mornings and nights can feel cooler than the daytime, so pack a light extra layer.
What to bear in mind
Mornings and nights are much cooler than the daytime. Take a light layer if you go out early or return late.
Plan Old City and temple walks for the morning or around sunset. Leave time for meals and rest at midday so that you are not walking for long during the hottest hours. On rainy days, switch to cafés and indoor exhibitions, followed by an Old City walk when rain eases.
Take a light layer for winter mornings and nights. Mountain conditions can differ from city temperatures, so check your destination’s forecast too.
November–January suits walks through the Old City and temples. December and January average about 22°C, compared with 29.5°C in April. Wear light clothes during the day and add a layer for morning or evening outings.
Look at average highs and lows too. The mean is not the temperature at a particular hour. Prepare separately for midday walks and outings in the morning or at night.
No. Rainy-day counts are monthly averages and do not say when or how long it rains. Use the hourly forecast for your actual dates to adjust outdoor plans.
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