|
Map showing average annual rainfall in mm
Laos
has a monsoon climate of a dry and a wet
season. The dry season lasts from November to
May with the cooler period in December and
January. At its coldest, the temperatures can
fall to as low as 15 deg C. The cold periods
tend to be at night and early morning with
colder temperatures at higher altitudes. During
the hot period of the dry season, between March
and May, temperatures can reach the high 30s.
The rainy season is a lot cooler, and rainfall
varies according to altitude. Generally
speaking, the monsoon season produces severe
rain that lasts for short periods of time. The
wet months vary according to location, in
Vientiane, they are from May to September, in
Luang Prabang, August is far wetter than any
other month.
Weather in Laos
The climate throughout Laos is monsoonal. There
are three distinct seasons with some variations
between north and south. In general, it is wet
between May and October and dry between November
and April.
The cool dry season
- occurs from November to January. In the Mekong
valley, temperature can drop to around 15
degrees Celsius and the mountain temperature
drop to zero degree Celsius or lower at night.
Humidity is low at this time of the year and the
most visitors consider it the best time to
travel to Laos.
The hot dry season
- follows through May. And toward the end of
this period, there is high humidity and
thunderstorms. Temperature can reach 35 degrees
Celsius.
The wet season
- generally lasts from June until October. It is
typified by a consistent pattern of low clouds
and rain. Flooding occurs along the Mekong River
and some tributaries.
The average rainfall in the
capital Vientiane is 1,700 mm, although in the
north of Laos and the highlands it is wetter,
with more than 3,000 mm each year. |
