Chiang Mai Weather – The Right Time to Visit North Thailand

Chiang Mai is the capital of Chiang Mai province and is situated in the north of Thailand. Located in the midst of some highest mountains in the country, it has become one of the established modern cities though it does not boast the title of a cosmopolitan city. The city attracts thousands of tourists every year due to its historical importance and as it is the major source of handicrafts.

Nakhon Ping, Srivijaya, Mengrai, and Kavila are the four sub-divisions of Chiang Mai. The ruler King Mengrai founded the city in the 13^th century. Apart from its many tourist attractions, the Buddhist temples walk away with the glory. The city has more than 300 Buddhist temples, the famous ones being Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ched Yot, Wiang Kum Kam, Wat U Mong, and Wat Suan Dok.

If you want to experience the historicity and excellence of this place, the most important thing for you is to know about the weather conditions of Chiang Mai. The weather is unpredictable throughout the year, ranging between humidity, rainfall and biting cold. Since the city is surrounded by valleys, the day temperature is warm than night and the presence of mountains makes your stay unbearable if you do not know the precautions.

Below is a description of the weather conditions, divided into months.

1. November to February- This is the coolest season in Chiang Mai. The weather is a mixture of slight rainfall, low humidity and little warm temperature during the day. The most popular festivals during this time are the Loy Krathong (held in November) and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival (held in February). Carry warm clothing like jackets, sweaters or shawls to put on outside, especially in the evening. Days can be managed with just a shawl.
2. March to June- This is the hottest season and the temperature can reach upto 40 degree Celsius. Due to this, hot waves are a common phenomenon. Farmers burn their crops during this time and the smoke emanated moves around the valley for a long period. In April, the Thai New Year is celebrated through the Songkran Water Festival. The occasion is the main attraction for locals and tourists alike.
3. July to October- This is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. This is also the lowest season in terms of tourism. Visiting Chiang Mai in this period can get you cheap airfares, low rate hotel bookings and other packages. Basically, the rain reigns in a havoc. However, for the nature lovers, this is the manifestation of paradise on earth. The countryside and the waterfalls are in full glow and brightness.

Despite the restrictions posed by weather, one should take the chance of visiting Chiang Mai, especially for heritage lovers and nature admirers, evidence of the time’s bounty for the last 700 years. The time between November and February is the best time to visit.