Chiang Mai, Thailand Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's year is organised around rain rather than temperature. 58% of its 71.4 inches (1815 mm) annual total arrives in the July to September window, while March averages 10 mm (0.4 in). Temperatures move far less: 96°F (35°C) at the year's warmest against 81°F (27°C) at its coolest.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: April - highs near 96°F (35°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 81°F (27°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 108°F (42°C) high · 49°F (10°C) low
- Wettest month: August (29 rainy days) · Sunniest: April (11.1 h sun/day)
- Climate type: tropical wet-and-dry
- Annual swing: 7°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 9°C
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 5
- Average humidity: 73%
Temperatures through the year
Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 5 months of the year, February through June being the unbroken run. April is the warm end of the year, averaging 96°F (35°C) by day and 74°F (24°C) overnight. January is the coolest month, with highs of 81°F (27°C) and lows near 62°F (17°C). The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 108°F (42°C) and bottoms at 49°F (10°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records. Rainfall is strongly seasonal: 58% of the annual total falls in the July to September window, leaving March at 10 mm (0.4 in).
Rain, sun and snow
Sunshine averages 9.8 hours a day over the year, peaking in April at 11.1 hours. Between the average April and the average January lie 7°C, a narrower spread than about 80% of the cities we track.
How Chiang Mai compares
- 58% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more seasonal than 89% of the 3496 cities we track.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81° | 62° | 4 | 1.0 in | 10.2 h/day | 71% |
| February | 86° | 64° | 1 | 0.8 in | 10.8 h/day | 59% |
| March | 94° | 70° | 2 | 0.4 in | 10.9 h/day | 52% |
| April | 96° | 74° | 7 | 2.2 in | 11.1 h/day | 55% |
| May | 93° | 76° | 17 | 7.2 in | 10.7 h/day | 69% |
| June | 88° | 75° | 24 | 8.7 in | 9.3 h/day | 80% |
| July | 86° | 75° | 27 | 13.1 in | 8.0 h/day | 85% |
| August | 85° | 74° | 29 | 15.4 in | 7.4 h/day | 87% |
| September | 85° | 74° | 26 | 12.9 in | 8.7 h/day | 86% |
| October | 84° | 72° | 18 | 6.8 in | 9.7 h/day | 84% |
| November | 84° | 69° | 8 | 1.9 in | 10.1 h/day | 79% |
| December | 81° | 64° | 3 | 1.0 in | 10.2 h/day | 74% |
Chiang Mai month by month
Chiang Mai weather in January
January brings highs around 81°F (27°C), lows near 62°F (17°C), about 4 wet days - typically the coldest month of the year in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai weather in February
February brings highs around 86°F (30°C), lows near 64°F (18°C), about 1 wet days.
Chiang Mai weather in March
March brings highs around 94°F (34°C), lows near 70°F (21°C), about 2 wet days - typically the driest month of the year in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai weather in April
April brings highs around 96°F (35°C), lows near 74°F (24°C), about 7 wet days - typically the hottest month and the sunniest month of the year in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai weather in May
May brings highs around 93°F (34°C), lows near 76°F (25°C), about 17 wet days.
Chiang Mai weather in June
June brings highs around 88°F (31°C), lows near 75°F (24°C), about 24 wet days.
Chiang Mai weather in July
July brings highs around 86°F (30°C), lows near 75°F (24°C), about 27 wet days.
Chiang Mai weather in August
August brings highs around 85°F (29°C), lows near 74°F (24°C), about 29 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai weather in September
September brings highs around 85°F (29°C), lows near 74°F (23°C), about 26 wet days.
Chiang Mai weather in October
October brings highs around 84°F (29°C), lows near 72°F (22°C), about 18 wet days.
Chiang Mai weather in November
November brings highs around 84°F (29°C), lows near 69°F (20°C), about 8 wet days.
Chiang Mai weather in December
December brings highs around 81°F (27°C), lows near 64°F (18°C), about 3 wet days.
Seasons in Chiang Mai
March through May
March through May in Chiang Mai brings serious heat, with daytime highs averaging 94°F (34°C) and nights around 74°F (23°C); expect showers on roughly 26 days across the season. Daylight is generous - around 10.9 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
June through August
Through June through August, Chiang Mai runs hot: 86°F (30°C) by day, 75°F (24°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 81 of the 90 days.
September through November
September through November in Chiang Mai is hot, with daytime highs averaging 84°F (29°C) and nights around 71°F (22°C); rain falls on around 52 of the 90 days.
December through February
December through February in Chiang Mai sits firmly in the heat, with daytime highs averaging 83°F (28°C) and nights around 63°F (17°C); rain comes on about 9 days over the three months. Daylight is generous - around 10.4 hours of sun a day.
Climate questions, answered
How does Chiang Mai compare to other cities?
When is monsoon season in Chiang Mai?
Is Chiang Mai hot in summer?
How cold does Chiang Mai get in winter?
Best time to visit Chiang Mai
Aim for November to February if you get the choice: the rains have stopped and the heat has not yet peaked, and highs average 83°F (28°C) against roughly 4 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in November.
Pack for Chiang Mai with lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection and proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here. April nights average 74°F (24°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Chiang Mai temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.