Pokhara (about 820 m) is warmer than Kathmandu and sits right beneath the Annapurnas, so the weather decides whether you see the mountains.
Quick answer: October–December brings the clearest mountain views and pleasant days. January–February is clear and cool. March–May is warm with more haze. From June to September, Pokhara has one of the wettest monsoons in Nepal, with heavy rain and clouds hiding the peaks.
Month by month
| Months | Weather |
|---|---|
| January–February | Clear mornings, cool nights, good views |
| March–April | Warm, some haze, rhododendrons in the hills |
| May | Hot and humid, pre-monsoon storms |
| June–September | Heavy monsoon rain; lush and green |
| October–December | Clear, sunny and comfortable: the best season |
For views and activities
- Sunrise at Sarangkot is best October–February.
- Paragliding conditions are best October–May.
- Boating and lakeside walks are pleasant most of the year.
See things to do in Pokhara and our Pokhara guide.
Temperature and rainfall by month
| Month | Day (°C) | Night (°C) | Rain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 7–8 | Very low | Clear mornings, cool nights |
| February | 22 | 8–9 | Low | Clear, warming |
| March | 27 | 12 | Low | Warm; haze increasing |
| April | 30 | 16 | Moderate | Hot afternoons; storms |
| May | 30 | 19 | Moderate to high | Hot, humid |
| June | 30 | 21 | Very high | Monsoon begins |
| July | 30 | 22 | Extremely high | Wettest month |
| August | 30 | 22 | Extremely high | Heavy rain |
| September | 29 | 20 | High | Monsoon ending |
| October | 27 | 16 | Low | Clear, the best views |
| November | 24 | 11 | Very low | Clear and pleasant |
| December | 21 | 8 | Very low | Clear, cool |
Figures are approximate averages; actual conditions vary from year to year.
Why Pokhara is so wet
Pokhara is one of the rainiest places in Nepal, receiving well over three metres of rain a year, most of it between June and September. The reason is geography: the Annapurna range rises abruptly just north of the city, so moist monsoon winds from the south are forced upward, cool and release their rain over the Pokhara valley. The same mountains create a rain shadow behind them, which is why Mustang, just across the range, is dry. See Upper Mustang.
The seasons in Pokhara
Autumn (October–November)
The best time: clear skies, warm days and the Annapurnas reflected in Phewa Lake on calm mornings. Ideal for paragliding, trekking and boating. It is also peak season.
Winter (December–February)
Clear, sunny days that are pleasantly warm, and cool nights. Mountain views are often excellent in the mornings. Pokhara is noticeably warmer than Kathmandu, making it a pleasant winter base. Higher treks nearby can be snowy.
Spring (March–May)
Warm and increasingly hot, with haze reducing mountain views as the season goes on, though early mornings can still be clear. Rhododendrons bloom on nearby treks in March and April. Thunderstorms become more frequent in May.
Monsoon (June–September)
Very wet, with heavy rain on most days and clouds hiding the mountains. The landscape is lush and green, waterfalls such as Davis Falls are at their most powerful, and hotels are quiet and discounted. Paragliding and trekking are limited, and leeches are common on nearby trails.
Mountain views by month
| Months | Chance of clear views |
|---|---|
| October–December | Excellent |
| January–February | Very good, mostly mornings |
| March–April | Good early, hazy later |
| May | Fair |
| June–September | Poor; occasional clear mornings after rain |
Activities by season
- Paragliding: best October–May; limited in the monsoon. See paragliding.
- Sarangkot sunrise: best October–February.
- Trekking: October–November and March–April for most routes. See treks near Pokhara.
- Boating: pleasant most of the year; calm mornings are best.
- Caves and waterfalls: Davis Falls is most impressive in the monsoon.
Pokhara vs Kathmandu weather
Pokhara, at about 820 m, is around 600 m lower than Kathmandu, so it is a few degrees warmer year-round, with milder winter nights. It is also much wetter in the monsoon. Air quality is generally better in Pokhara, though spring haze affects both. See Kathmandu vs Pokhara.
Month by month in more detail
- January: sunny, mild days around 20 °C and cool nights; clear mountain views most mornings. Quiet season.
- February: warming, still clear; a great month for Sarangkot sunrises and short treks.
- March: warm days, increasing haze; rhododendrons bloom on nearby treks.
- April: hot afternoons, more haze and occasional thunderstorms; good paragliding.
- May: hot and humid, with storms and fewer views; the end of the season.
- June: the monsoon arrives with heavy rain; the valley turns green.
- July: the wettest month, with very heavy rain on most days.
- August: continued heavy rain; Davis Falls at its most powerful.
- September: rain decreasing; by late month, clearer skies return.
- October: clear, warm and the best time for views and activities; busy.
- November: crisp, clear and slightly cooler; excellent views.
- December: clear and cool, with quiet trails and lakeside.
Packing for Pokhara
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Autumn and spring | Light clothes, sun hat, sunscreen, a fleece for evenings |
| Winter | Light layers by day, warm jacket for mornings and evenings |
| Monsoon | Rain jacket, umbrella, quick-dry clothes, sandals, insect repellent |
Bring warmer gear if you plan to trek higher; see packing list.
Flights to Jomsom and the weather
Flights from Pokhara to Jomsom fly through the Kali Gandaki gorge and operate only in the early morning, as strong winds pick up later in the day. In the monsoon, cloud often cancels flights. Keep spare days if your plans include Jomsom or Upper Mustang. See Jomsom.
Best time for different travellers
| Traveller | Best months |
|---|---|
| Mountain views and photography | October–February |
| Paragliding | October–May |
| Trekking nearby | October–November, March–April |
| Quiet, budget travel | June–August |
| Families | October–April |
Monsoon in Pokhara
Pokhara in the monsoon is a different place: the lake is full, the valley intensely green, and clouds drift over the hills. Rain falls heavily, often for hours, especially at night, with occasional sunny breaks. The mountains are usually hidden, but a clear morning after heavy rain can bring a startling view of Machhapuchhre. Many visitors enjoy the quiet lakeside cafés, yoga retreats and discounted hotels. Trekking nearby is wet and leechy, so choose Upper Mustang via Jomsom if you want dry trails. See things to do in the monsoon.
Storms and safety
Thunderstorms in late spring and the monsoon can be intense, with lightning and strong winds over the lake. Boating and paragliding stop in bad weather. Follow operators' instructions, avoid the lake during storms, and stay indoors during lightning. Landslides can affect roads around Pokhara in the monsoon; check conditions before travelling.
Sunrise and sunset in Pokhara
Sunrise ranges from about 5.15 am in June to about 7 am in January, and sunset from about 5.30 pm in winter to around 7 pm in summer. For the best mountain views at Sarangkot, arrive 30 minutes before sunrise. Sunset over Phewa Lake, seen from the World Peace Pagoda or a lakeside café, is a Pokhara highlight in clear seasons.
Our advice
Visit Pokhara between October and April for the best chance of seeing the Annapurnas reflected in Phewa Lake, with October, November and December the clearest months. Spring brings warm weather and flowers on nearby treks, but more haze. If you come in the monsoon, enjoy the green landscapes and quiet cafés, and plan a trip to Mustang for drier trekking. Contact us to plan your visit.
Weather on treks from Pokhara
Treks starting near Pokhara climb quickly into cooler air. On Poon Hill (3,210 m), winter nights drop below freezing and snow is possible; at Mardi Himal High Camp (about 3,580 m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m), nights are well below freezing from November to March. In spring, afternoon cloud and showers are common; in autumn, skies are generally clear and stable. Always pack warm layers even when Pokhara feels warm. See ABC in winter.