The Thai Climate - Weather Information
Thailand has a typical monsoon climate, but since it lies well
North of the equator
(between 17 and 20 degrees North ), it does experience
marked seasonal temperature variations.
‘wet season’ monsoon rains start in late May or early June and
continue until October. Temperatures in the lowlands are around 32
degrees C in the mid-afternoon, falling to a minimum of around 23
degrees C at night. It rains on most days but rarely continuously.
A typical day will dawn bright and sunny, clouds build up during
the afternoon leading to heavy rain for an hour or two, frequently
followed by a sunny evening. In August and September, typhoons
sometimes occur ( although rarely severe ), with heavy rain,
thunderstorms and high winds for three of four days.
the ‘cool season’ from early November to February, humid
tropical air from the Indian ocean gives way to cold, dry air
originating in Central Asia to the North. The sun is still high
enough to send temperatures above 28 degrees C during the
afternoon, but following sunset the temperature drops rapidly,
frequently to below 10 degrees C., so that early mornings are
delightfully cool and misty. The sky is generally cloudless all
day, and rain is very unlikely - perhaps one shower a month. From
December, many of the trees lose their leaves as a protection
against drought, and the lush greens of the countryside give way
to sombre browns.
‘hot season’ is mercifully short - from mid March to late May.
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, daytime temperatures approach
40 degrees C., and humidity increases, making any exertion
this season the jungle is burnt off to prepare for next seasons
planting, so the hills are
very smoky and dusty. The start of the rains, ( usually a
massive thunderstorm ) brings relief as the temperatures drop.
Temperatures decrease and rainfall increases with altitude, so the
‘wet season’ is significantly wetter and cooler in the hills.
In the ‘cool season’, temperatures below freezing at night are
not uncommon above altitudes of 1500 meters.