Kathmandu features a mild, subtropical highland climate, classified as Cwa under the Köppen climate classification system. Because of its elevation, the city escapes the intense heat characteristic of the South Asian plains, enjoying relatively moderate temperatures year-round.
The weather is heavily influenced by the South Asian monsoon. The summer months (June to September) bring heavy rainfall, high humidity, and warm temperatures averaging around 24°C to 28°C (75°F to 82°F). The monsoon is essential for the region's water supply but can cause localized flooding and landslides in the surrounding hills.
Winters (December to February) are cool and dry. While daytime temperatures can be pleasant and sunny, averaging 15°C to 18°C (59°F to 64°F), nighttime temperatures frequently drop to near freezing (0°C to 3°C). Snowfall in the city center is exceedingly rare, last occurring briefly in 2019 after a decades-long gap, though the surrounding hills regularly receive snow.
The best time to visit Kathmandu is during the post-monsoon autumn (October and November) and the pre-monsoon spring (March and April), when the skies are clear, the weather is comfortably mild, and visibility of the distant Himalayas is at its best.
