Chiang Mai monthly weather and climate
Chiang Mai · Northern Thailand · mountains
Morning temperatures in Chiang Mai can fall to 15°C or lower in January, while days are clear. In February and March, however, smoke from agricultural burning can make the sky hazy. Little rain does not necessarily mean clean air, so consider temperatures and the timing of haze together when choosing your month.
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
Compare hotter and wetter months in the table below. These are historical climate averages: they are not a forecast for your travel dates and do not tell you whether swimming will be possible.
| Month | Travel rating | Temperature | Rainfall | Rainy days | Humidity | Sunshine | Sea conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ++ Very good | 15~29°C | 4 mm | 1 d | 68% | 8.8 h | Not applicable |
| February | ++ Very good | 17~32°C | 9 mm | 1 d | 58% | 9.1 h | Not applicable |
| March | ++ Very good | 20~35°C | 18 mm | 2 d | 52% | 9.5 h | Not applicable |
| April | + Good | 23~36°C | 57 mm | 7 d | 57% | 9.3 h | Not applicable |
| May | ± Average | 24~34°C | 162 mm | 15 d | 71% | 6.4 h | Not applicable |
| June | ± Average | 24~32°C | 125 mm | 17 d | 77% | 5.2 h | Not applicable |
| July | - Not recommended | 24~31°C | 140 mm | 19 d | 79% | 3.9 h | Not applicable |
| August | - Not recommended | 24~31°C | 217 mm | 21 d | 81% | 3.8 h | Not applicable |
| September | - Not recommended | 23~31°C | 211 mm | 18 d | 81% | 4.8 h | Not applicable |
| October | + Good | 22~30°C | 118 mm | 12 d | 79% | 6.5 h | Not applicable |
| November | + Good | 18~29°C | 54 mm | 5 d | 75% | 7.2 h | Not applicable |
| December | ++ Very good | 15~28°C | 16 mm | 1 d | 73% | 8.2 h | Not applicable |
| Month | Weather and travel advice |
|---|---|
| January | This is the coolest month of the year. Morning temperatures can reach 15°C or lower, while days are clear. |
| February | The weather is clear and dry, but smoke from agricultural burning starts to thicken. Low rainfall does not necessarily mean clean air. |
| March | Air pollution from agricultural burning is at its worst. The weather is hot and the sky is hazy. |
| April | The hottest month coincides with Songkran. The existing weather commentary describes this as the end of the smog period, but that does not mean the whole month is haze-free. |
| May | The rainy season begins, turning the mountains green. Smoke from burning also decreases. |
| June | During this rainy period, clear mornings are followed by afternoon showers in the mountains. |
| July | The weather is humid and cloudy. Temperatures become cooler, and the surrounding landscape turns lush and green. |
| August | This is the wettest month. Cloud cover also brings the fewest sunshine hours. |
| September | Rain continues, and rice in the fields is growing strongly. |
| October | Rain decreases while the landscape remains green. |
| November | The dry season begins, with cooler evenings. Air quality also improves. |
| December | The weather is cool and dry. Pleasant mornings are well suited to visiting temples. |