Chiang Mai Weather and Climate
Although generally warm, Chiang Mai enjoys a much cooler climate than other regions of Thailand.
Cool Season
November to February
Hot Season
Mid-March to late June
Rainy Reason
July to October
Smoky Season
March
Overview
Although generally warm, Chiang Mai enjoys a much cooler climate than other regions of Thailand. While it does experience a hot season, it is still somewhat milder than Bangkok and certainly less humid.
The climate of Chiang Mai is controlled by tropical monsoons and falls into three main seasons. The weather, like in most of Thailand, is typically hot and humid with temperatures often close to or above 30°C but also surprisingly cool in the mornings and late evenings. From June to late October, you can expect frequent rain and thunder showers.
Quick Weather Facts
- Warmest month (on average) is April
- Coolest month (on average) is January
- Wettest month (on average) is August
- Driest month (on average) is February
- January, November and December have the nicest average temperatures
- Temperature, on average, is quite warm
- Most rainfall is seen in May, June, July, August, September, and October
- Chiang Mai experiences dry periods in January, February, March and December
The Seasons
Cool Season
This season starts in November and lasts until February. Chiang Mai’s climate remains warm for most of the year and the cooler weather normally only occurs in the northern mountains, therefore tourists often prefer this season.
Hot Season
The hot season starts from mid-March until late June. Higher relative temperature and infrequent rain are the general characteristic of this season.
Rainy Season
The rainy season in Chiany Mai lasts from July to October. Heavy downpour dominates and flash floods can occur. The temperatures range from 25°C to 34 °C.
Smoky Season
During the month of March, the air quality in Chiang Mai suffers from pollution caused by forest and bush fires, many started deliberately by farmers to fertilise soil before the rains come. Although several initiatives are in progress to curb this activity, these fires can cause a lot of smoke and dust, which can be a source of concern for those with respiratory sensitivities. For more information click here.
Note: Averages recorded between 2000 and 2012.