Chiang Mai Weather
Northern Thailand · Live forecast, monthly climate & best time to visit
31°C
Mainly clear · Chiang Mai, right now
Is it raining right now in Chiang Mai?
No — Chiang Mai is dry right now (mainly clear, 31°C).
Thu
31°23°
💧 45%
Fri
31°23°
💧 29%
Sat
31°23°
💧 39%
Sun
31°24°
💧 47%
Mon
32°23°
💧 31%
Tue
32°24°
💧 14%
Wed
32°23°
💧 37%
Best time to visit Chiang Mai
Thailand doesn't have a single rainy season — it has two, running in opposite directions. The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) faces the Indian Ocean and takes the brunt of the southwest monsoon from roughly May to October. The Gulf of Thailand coast around Koh Samui faces the other way and instead gets its wettest weather from the northeast monsoon around October to December — often staying drier during the mainland's rainy season. Bangkok and the upper Gulf (Pattaya, Hua Hin) follow the same broad May–October pattern as the Andaman coast, while Chiang Mai and the north add a hot, hazy “burning season” from around February to April.
For Chiang Mai specifically: Nov–Apr sees the fewest rain days of the year, while May–Oct is the wettest stretch. Rain rarely lasts all day — see the FAQs below for what to expect.
Chiang Mai monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high | Rainy days | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 1 days | Coolest month of the year; mornings can feel genuinely chilly by Thai standards. |
| February | 33°C | 1 days | Dry and warming fast, but the burning season begins — haze can build. |
| March | 35°C | 2 days | Peak burning season; hot, hazy skies often reduce mountain views. |
| April | 37°C | 5 days | Hottest month; Songkran (mid-April) is huge here, and the first rains finally cut the haze. |
| May | 35°C | 12 days | Rainy season begins; air quality improves sharply after the first storms. |
| June | 33°C | 12 days | Regular rain keeps the surrounding hills lush and green. |
| July | 32°C | 14 days | Consistent monsoon showers, noticeably cooler than the hot season. |
| August | 32°C | 17 days | The wettest month, about 223 mm; a quiet month for temple-hopping between showers. |
| September | 32°C | 15 days | Still wet, about 207 mm of rain. |
| October | 32°C | 9 days | Rain eases through the month, to about 124 mm. |
| November | 31°C | 3 days | Cool, clear and dry; Loy Krathong and Yi Peng fall on the full moon, 24 November in 2026. |
| December | 29°C | 1 days | Cool and dry with the clearest mountain views of the year. |
Source: World Meteorological Organization 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chiang Mai station (WMO 48327): mean daily maximum and days with 1 mm of rain or more, checked 2026-09-30. Normals, not a forecast. Corrected on 30 September 2026: the table made September the wettest month with 17 rain days; the normals put August first, with 17 days and about 223 mm, and September at 15. Highs were 1 to 2°C too low in eleven months, and the October note placed Loy Krathong in October, when it falls on 24 November in 2026.
Packing & season tips
- Pack for Chiang Mai: A light sweater for cool December–January mornings, a face mask for the smoky February–April burning season, and rain layers June–September.
- Sun protection: Thailand's tropical latitude means strong UV year-round, even on cloudy or rainy days.
- Book ahead in peak season: the driest months are also the busiest and most expensive for flights and hotels.
- Rainy season isn't a reason to skip a trip: expect lower prices, fewer crowds and lush scenery — just plan indoor backup options for late afternoons.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
Nov–Apr tends to be the best window — rainfall is well below the yearly average and days are more reliably sunny. Avoid May–Oct if you'd rather not plan around rain.
Does it rain all day during the rainy season in Chiang Mai?
Usually not. Thailand's monsoon rain typically falls as short, heavy afternoon or evening downpours that clear within an hour or two, rather than all-day drizzle — mornings are often dry even in the wettest months.
Is Chiang Mai hot all year round?
Yes — average daytime highs run from about 29°C in the coolest month to 37°C in the hottest, so it's warm to hot year-round by most visitors' standards. Humidity, not just temperature, is what changes most through the year.
What should I pack for Chiang Mai?
A light sweater for cool December–January mornings, a face mask for the smoky February–April burning season, and rain layers June–September.
What is Chiang Mai's burning season?
Roughly February to April, farmers and forest fires in the region create smoky haze that can reduce visibility and air quality, even though it's the driest time of year. If air quality matters to you, November to January offers similarly dry weather with clear skies.