Spring in Chiang Mai really marks a shift from the cool, dry season into the start of the rainy months. You’ll notice hot daytime temperatures, rising humidity, and an increasing chance of afternoon showers as the weeks go by.
This mix of warm sunshine and growing cloud cover makes spring a dynamic time to experience the region.
March usually feels dry and sunny, but by May the air gets muggy and rain showers pop up more often. The days stretch out, so you get more daylight to wander temples, markets, or maybe the nearby mountains.
The heat can feel intense, for sure, but the season brings a unique balance of bright mornings and dramatic skies in the afternoons.
If you know what to expect from Chiang Mai’s spring weather, you can plan better. That might mean packing lighter clothes, preparing for sudden downpours, or timing your outdoor plans for the cooler hours.
Understanding these patterns really helps make your visit more comfortable and, honestly, more enjoyable.
Overview of Spring Weather in Chiang Mai
Spring in Chiang Mai means rising heat, longer days, and more cloud cover and rainfall as summer approaches.
You’ll see clear skies early in the season, but things change quickly with higher humidity and frequent afternoon showers by late spring.
Spring Months and Climate Patterns
Spring in Chiang Mai covers March through May.
March stays the driest, with daytime highs around 90–94°F (32–34°C) and cooler nights near 64–70°F (18–21°C). The skies look clearer at the start, and rain is rare.
Once April rolls around, temperatures climb even higher, often peaking near 97°F (36°C). Nights warm up too, averaging in the mid-70s (24°C).
April is usually the hottest month, with heat building all day before clouds roll in during the afternoons.
May brings a big change. Rainfall jumps up, averaging 5 inches (127 mm) or more.
Humidity rises, and while it’s still hot, frequent showers and storms give some relief. This shift signals the wet season is coming.
Comparison With Other Seasons
Compared to winter, spring in Chiang Mai feels much hotter and more humid.
Winter days usually peak in the low 80s°F (27°C), with crisp nights that can dip below 60°F (15°C). Spring loses that cool nighttime relief, especially by April.
If you compare spring with the rainy season from June to October, spring is less wet but you can see the change coming.
Rainfall stays light in March but picks up quickly by May. The summer monsoon months, though, bring much heavier and more consistent downpours.
Autumn feels more comfortable than spring, with lower humidity and milder temperatures.
If you like milder weather, the months after the rainy season—October and November—feel less intense than the heat and humidity of April and May.
Key Weather Characteristics
Several things really define Chiang Mai’s spring weather:
- Temperature: Highs between 90–97°F (32–36°C); lows climb from 64°F (18°C) in March to 76°F (24°C) in May.
- Rainfall: Goes up from about 0.4 inches in early March to over 5 inches by the end of May.
- Humidity: Rises sharply, with muggy days becoming common by May.
- Cloud cover: Clear skies rule early spring, but by late May, overcast days are frequent.
- Daylight: Grows from about 11 hours 45 minutes in March to over 13 hours in late May.
You’ll want to prepare for hot afternoons, rising humidity, and a noticeable jump in rainfall as spring moves along in northern Thailand.
Average Temperatures During Spring
Spring in Chiang Mai brings hot afternoons, warmer nights than winter, and a steady climb in humidity.
You’ll notice the season shift from dry and sunny in early March to hotter and wetter by late May.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During the day, expect average highs around 90–97°F (32–36°C).
March starts off warm but manageable, while April often feels the hottest with peaks close to 100°F (38°C).
By May, the heat and humidity team up, making afternoons feel even warmer.
At night, temperatures stay more comfortable. Lows usually range from 64°F (18°C) in early March to about 76°F (24°C) by late May.
Evenings in March sometimes feel cool, but by May, nights are warm and humid and don’t offer much relief after the hot afternoons.
Early in the season, you’ll notice a bigger difference between day and night temperatures, but as spring goes on, nights steadily warm up.
Monthly Temperature Trends
Spring in Chiang Mai follows an obvious warming pattern.
- March: Highs average around 93°F (34°C) with lows near 66°F (19°C). Skies are often clearer this month.
- April: The hottest month, with highs averaging 97°F (36°C) and lows around 74°F (23°C).
- May: Highs average 94°F (34°C), but humidity rises and lows stay near 76°F (24°C).
April always stands out as the peak of the hot season.
By May, the rainy season’s arrival helps lower daytime extremes a bit, but the higher dew points make it feel warmer than the thermometer says.
You’ll want to plan for hotter afternoons in April, while May brings stickier, muggy weather.
Record Highs and Lows
Chiang Mai’s spring nights rarely drop below 60°F (16°C).
On some cool March mornings, lows might dip just under 65°F (18°C).
On the other end, record highs can top 102°F (39°C), especially in mid-April.
April 13 is often the hottest day of the year, with typical ranges from 74°F (23°C) to 97°F (36°C).
The heat and humidity in late spring often feel worse than the numbers suggest. Travelers should prep for both hot afternoons and warm, sticky nights.
Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Rainfall in Chiang Mai follows a pretty clear rhythm, with very dry conditions in early spring and a steady rise in rain as the months go on.
The shift from dry to wet weather changes not just how much rain falls, but also how often showers pop up and how they shape daily life.
Monthly Rainfall Amounts
March stays mostly dry, averaging around 10–20 mm of rain for the month.
You might get just one or two rainy days, and most days are sunny and dry.
By April, rain picks up a little, reaching 30–40 mm over a few days. While still dry compared to later, short showers start to show up, often in the late afternoon or evening.
May brings a real shift. Average rainfall jumps to 150–200 mm, with rain falling on 10–15 days. This is when the wet season really kicks in, and thunderstorms become routine.
| Month | Avg Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|
| March | 10–20 | 1–2 |
| April | 30–40 | 3–5 |
| May | 150–200 | 10–15 |
Transition From Dry to Rainy Season
The change from March into May marks the move from the dry season to the rainy season.
Early spring keeps things hot and dry, but by late April you can feel more humidity in the air.
This moisture buildup leads to heavier afternoon showers in May. Rain usually comes in short, intense bursts, then clears up.
Unlike the steady drizzle you might see elsewhere, Chiang Mai’s spring rain usually arrives as thunderstorms.
This transition matters for agriculture in northern Thailand. Farmers rely on May rains to get rice fields ready, and the timing of the first big showers affects planting schedules.
Travelers should plan for sudden downpours but can still enjoy plenty of sunshine.
Impact of Rain on Daily Life
Spring rain in Chiang Mai changes how you plan your day.
In March and April, you rarely need to worry about rain, since it’s minimal. Outdoor sightseeing, hiking, and festivals like Songkran usually go on without a hitch.
By May, things change. Afternoon or evening storms become common, so carrying a light rain jacket or umbrella just makes sense.
Roads can get slick after heavy showers, and traffic sometimes slows down during sudden downpours.
Even with more rain, mornings usually stay dry and bright. You can plan outdoor trips early in the day and expect showers later on.
Locals take the rain in stride, and visitors quickly learn to adjust their plans around the patterns.
Sunshine and Cloud Cover
During spring in Chiang Mai, the days get longer while cloud cover increases sharply.
You get more daylight, but the sky often goes from clear to mostly cloudy as the rainy season gets closer.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
At the start of spring, you’ll get about 11 hours and 47 minutes of daylight, with sunrise close to 6:43 AM and sunset around 6:29 PM.
By late May, daylight stretches to 13 hours and 11 minutes, with sunrise nearer to 5:46 AM and sunset close to 6:57 PM.
Even though days are longer, sunshine hours depend on cloud cover.
Early spring feels brighter, with more clear mornings and afternoons.
By late spring, clouds cut down the hours of direct sun.
On average, you can expect 5–7 hours of direct sunshine daily in March, but this drops in May as heavier clouds move in.
If you want more reliable sun, outdoor activities are best scheduled earlier in spring.
Seasonal Changes in Cloudiness
Cloud cover changes quickly through spring.
In early March, skies are clear or mostly clear about 70% of the time.
By late May, skies are overcast nearly 90% of the time, which really signals the wet season is near.
You’ll notice the shift—March brings lots of bright days, while April starts to mix in more clouds.
By May, most afternoons are cloudy, and rain chances go up.
If you want blue skies, March is your best bet. If cooler, cloudier weather sounds better, late spring might suit you.
Wind Speed and Weather Variability
In spring, Chiang Mai’s air often feels calm, with only a light breeze now and then.
Wind speeds stay low, but even small changes can affect how warm or cool the days feel, especially with the humidity.
Typical Wind Speeds in Spring
You can expect average wind speeds around 1 meter per second (m/s), which is 3.6 kilometers per hour (km/h) or 2.2 miles per hour (mph).
That’s very light, and many days feel almost still.
Sometimes, breezes reach 3 m/s, but these never last long and don’t really cool things off.
Chiang Mai’s inland spot means it doesn’t get steady winds like coastal cities do.
Here’s a quick look at average spring wind speeds:
| Month | Avg Wind Speed | Range |
|---|---|---|
| March | ~1 m/s | 0–3 m/s |
| April | ~1 m/s | 0–3 m/s |
| May | ~1 m/s | 0–3 m/s |
Spring stays one of the calmest times of year when it comes to wind.
Effects of Wind on Comfort
Because the winds are so weak, you don’t get much natural cooling outside.
When temperatures climb above 95°F (35°C) in April, the lack of airflow can make the heat feel even more intense.
On humid days, still air makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, so your body doesn’t cool off as well.
That’s why shaded spots and fans become so important for comfort.
At night, the calm conditions let heat linger in the city.
Rural areas might cool a little faster, but the difference is small without stronger winds.
Travelers don’t need to worry about dust storms or sudden gusts. Instead, plan for hot, still afternoons and think about ways to stay cool.
Tips for Visiting Chiang Mai in Spring
Spring in Chiang Mai feels hot in the afternoons. Humidity climbs, and you’ll notice the chance of rain going up too.
You can still have a great time, though. Just get ready for the heat, pack the right gear, and pick activities that work with the weather.
What to Pack for Spring Weather
Most days, Chiang Mai’s highs hit 34–36°C (93–97°F). At night, it cools down to around 18–24°C (64–75°F).
You’ll want light, breathable clothes. Cotton or linen works best, so skip anything heavy or dark that’ll just make you sweat more.
Bring a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for those brutal midday hours. Toss in a light rain jacket or a small umbrella, since rain really starts picking up from late April into May.
Choose comfortable walking shoes or sandals with good grip. After a quick downpour, the streets get slick.
If you’re heading to temples, toss in modest clothes—think long pants or a skirt, plus a light scarf for your shoulders.
Don’t forget a refillable water bottle. The heat can sneak up on you, and dehydration’s no joke.
You might want some insect repellent too. Mosquitoes get more active as the humidity rises.
Outdoor Activities and Events
Spring in Chiang Mai really bursts with activity. In April, locals and visitors dive into the Songkran Festival, celebrating the Thai New Year with wild water fights all over the city. Streets get packed, everyone joins in the water battles, and you’ll catch lively parades winding through the crowds.
If you’re around in March, the weather feels a bit more forgiving. That’s the sweet spot for outdoor sightseeing before humidity ramps up. You might wander through Doi Suthep Temple or stroll the Old City. The mountain viewpoints nearby? They’re stunning when the skies clear up.
Come May, you’ll notice short, heavy rain showers popping up. These bursts of rain push many folks toward indoor cultural visits—think museums or maybe a spontaneous cooking class. Mornings usually stay cooler, so you can still squeeze in some trekking or cycling before the day heats up.
Even as the temperature rises, spring evenings usually feel comfortable. Night markets like the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or Sunday Walking Street draw crowds for street food, crafts, and that unmistakable local vibe.