Spring in Kathmandu feels like a real turning point after the cool, dry winter. Days start warming up, and you get more daylight to enjoy.
Daytime temperatures climb from the low 70s°F in March to the mid-80s°F by late May. Nights stay mild and comfortable. This mix of warmth and clear skies makes spring a great time to visit the city.
As the weeks go by, rainfall pops up more often, especially in late May when the first hints of the monsoon appear. Early spring usually stays dry with clear skies. By the end, showers get more frequent, and humidity starts to rise.
Kathmandu’s spring weather gives you steady sunshine, shifting winds, and those dramatic Himalayan backdrops. The changing conditions shape daily routines, from outdoor plans to the city’s overall buzz.
Overview of Kathmandu’s Spring Climate
Spring in Kathmandu means steadily warmer days, longer daylight, and a gradual move toward wetter weather by the end of the season. You’ll get mild mornings, comfy afternoons, and more rain as May rolls in.
Typical Spring Weather Patterns
During spring, daily highs jump from about 72°F (22°C) in early March to around 84°F (29°C) by late May. Nights warm up, too, going from 45°F (7°C) to about 65°F (18°C). Early spring nights can feel cool, but late spring evenings stay mild.
Cloud cover stays pretty low, so skies are clear or partly clear most days. By May, the odds of rain go up. The chance of a wet day rises from 6% in March to almost 32% in late May. Rainfall grows, too, from less than an inch early on to about 2–3 inches by the end.
Humidity follows suit. Early spring feels dry and nice, but late May brings stickier, muggy days. Winds stay light—around 6 mph—and shift from north in March to south by May.
Comparison With Other Seasons
Spring acts as a bridge between Kathmandu’s dry winters and the heavy summer monsoon. In winter, temperatures can dip below 40°F (4°C) at night, and you rarely get rain. Spring, though, brings warmer days, greener views, and more daylight.
Summer gets much more humid, and July alone can bring over 14 inches of rain. Spring rain picks up, but it never matches the monsoon’s intensity.
Autumn is drier and a bit cooler than spring, with clearer skies after the rains. If you want moderate warmth and fewer crowds, spring really hits that sweet spot between winter’s chill and summer’s downpours.
Spring Temperature Trends in Kathmandu
Spring in Kathmandu means temperatures rise steadily, days get longer, and mornings turn from chilly to warm. Early and late spring feel different, with daily highs, lows, and humidity levels shifting as the weeks pass.
Average Daily Highs and Lows
In early spring, highs hover around 72°F (22°C). By late spring, they reach 84°F (29°C). You rarely see highs below 66°F (19°C) or above 89°F (32°C), so it’s easy to plan for outdoor fun.
Lows rise more sharply. Mornings start at about 45°F (7°C) in March, but by late May, lows are near 65°F (18°C). Nights stay cooler than days, though the gap shrinks as spring goes on.
This warming trend makes spring pretty comfortable. Mornings lose their chill, and afternoons warm up without getting as hot as summer.
Hourly and Monthly Temperature Variations
Temperatures in Kathmandu follow a clear daily rhythm. Mornings start cool, usually in the 50s°F (10–15°C), then climb into the 70s and 80s°F (21–29°C) by afternoon. Evenings cool down again, but not as sharply as in winter.
The warmest hours usually fall between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The coolest point is just before sunrise. This pattern sticks around all spring.
Month by month, March feels mild, April gets pleasantly warm, and May edges closer to summer heat. The dew point rises, too, so late spring feels a bit more humid than early spring.
Temperature Changes Through the Season
From early to late spring, daily highs jump by about 12°F and lows by 21°F. By the end of spring, days and nights feel more balanced.
In March, you might want a light jacket in the morning. By May, short sleeves work fine during the day, and evenings stay pleasant.
Humidity creeps up as the season goes. The odds of muggy weather rise from 0% in early spring to about 31% by late spring, hinting at the monsoon’s approach.
These changes show just how quickly Kathmandu’s climate shifts. You can really feel the difference between the crisp comfort of early spring and the warmer, stickier days of late spring.
Spring Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Rainfall starts to pick up in Kathmandu as spring moves in, shifting away from the dry winter and toward the wetter pre-monsoon stretch. You’ll notice more showers, rising humidity, and some real changes in the daily weather compared to the cooler months.
Probability of Wet Days
In March, the chance of a wet day is usually below 20%. Rain is rare, and most days are dry and clear. By April, that probability climbs, and you’ll spot more short, occasional rain showers.
May feels different. The likelihood of rain jumps to nearly 40% on some days as the monsoon nears. Late spring definitely feels wetter than early spring.
If you’re traveling, it’s smart to pack light rain gear for April and May. You probably won’t need it every day, but it’ll come in handy when showers pop up.
Rainfall Amounts and Seasonal Changes
Rainfall in Kathmandu rises steadily through spring. March averages about 30–40 mm of rain, making it one of the drier months. April often doubles that, with totals closer to 60–90 mm.
By May, rainfall can hit 120–150 mm. Heavier showers become more common, mostly in the afternoon or evening.
March feels dry and mild, April brings a mix of sun and showers, and May kicks off the wet season. You’ll see greener hills and higher humidity as spring goes on.
Types of Precipitation Observed
Rain in Kathmandu during spring almost always falls as liquid. Snow’s pretty much unheard of in the city—it’s just not cold enough.
Expect light to moderate showers that usually last less than an hour. In April and May, thunderstorms show up more often, sometimes with heavy downpours. These storms move through fast but can be intense.
Hail sometimes falls in late spring, especially in May when storms get stronger. Hailstorms don’t last long, but they can surprise you. Rain still dominates and shapes Kathmandu’s spring climate.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Duration
Spring in Kathmandu means more daylight and moderate cloud cover compared to winter. You’ll get a good mix of clear skies and some overcast days, which changes how much sun you get.
Frequency of Clear and Cloudy Days
Cloud cover stays pretty low in spring compared to the monsoon months. March and April have lots of clear or mostly clear days. By May, clouds become more common as rain increases.
On average, spring skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about 14% of the time. So, blue skies beat gray ones more often than not.
You’ll see clear mornings, but clouds can build up later in the day. This is typical for Kathmandu Valley, thanks to its elevation and the nearby mountains. If you’re planning something outside, mornings usually offer the best weather.
March and April’s dry air also keeps haze down, so you get sharper Himalayan views before the summer humidity rolls in.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight Changes
Sunshine hours climb as spring goes on. March brings about 8.7 hours of sunshine daily. By April, days stretch out to almost 12 hours of daylight.
Compare that to September, which only gets about 4.4 hours of sunshine per day. Clearly, spring wins for clear skies. Longer days give you more time to explore without feeling rushed.
More daylight also means better visibility and comfier sightseeing. With less cloud cover than summer and more daylight than winter, spring really delivers on reliable sunshine in Kathmandu.
Travelers can plan longer treks, city tours, or day trips without worrying about early sunsets or constant clouds.
Humidity, Dew Point, and Atmospheric Conditions
Spring in Kathmandu mixes moderate warmth with shifting air moisture. Humidity and dew point together shape how comfortable the weather feels, especially in the afternoons and evenings.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity usually ranges between 53% and 70% in spring, with April as the driest month. You’ll notice drier air in March and April, which makes rising temperatures feel more pleasant.
By May, humidity climbs as the monsoon nears. The air feels heavier, especially during warm afternoons when highs hit the low to mid-80s °F (about 27–29°C).
Morning humidity is often higher than in the afternoon. Cooler nights let moisture settle, so you might wake up to damp air or a bit of mist in the valleys. Afternoons, warmed by the sun, usually feel less humid.
| Month | Avg. Humidity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March | ~60–65% | Comfortable, mild dryness |
| April | ~53% | Lowest humidity of year |
| May | ~65–70% | Noticeable rise before monsoon |
Dew Point Fluctuations
Spring dew points usually run from the mid-40s°F (7–9°C) in March to the mid-50s°F (12–14°C) by May. Lower dew points in early spring mean crisp mornings and cool nights—pretty refreshing if you’re outdoors.
By May, dew points rise along with humidity. The air feels warmer and stickier, even if the temperature isn’t extreme. Most people notice this change most in the late afternoon.
The difference between daytime highs and dew point values explains comfort levels. March and April have a big gap, so heat is manageable. In May, the gap shrinks, and the air feels muggy, signaling the monsoon’s approach.
If you’re thinking about hiking or sightseeing, lower dew points in early spring make for better conditions. By late spring, you might prefer some shade or indoor spots.
Wind Patterns and Direction in Spring
Spring winds in Kathmandu stay light but noticeable, and they change direction as the season moves along. You’ll feel gentle breezes that can influence how comfortable it feels outside and sometimes affect visibility.
Average Wind Speed
Kathmandu usually gets pretty gentle winds during spring, especially if you compare it to other places. The average wind speed falls between 1 and 2 meters per second (m/s), which is about 2 to 4 miles per hour (mph).
Most days, you’d just call that a light breeze. It’s enough to rustle some leaves or give you a tiny bit of relief from the heat, but it won’t mess up your plans.
March stands out as the windiest month. Winds reach close to 2 m/s then, so you might actually notice the air moving a bit more.
By the time April and May roll around, things usually calm down. Wind speeds dip, and the air feels steadier.
The mountains surrounding the valley block strong gusts, so you rarely feel anything wild. This natural shield keeps out extreme winds, but it also means air doesn’t circulate much, which can trap haze or make the air feel stuffy sometimes.
If you’re planning a trip or outdoor activities, you probably won’t have to worry about wind getting in your way. The breeze just kind of hangs in the background, pairing nicely with Kathmandu’s warmer spring days.
Prevailing Wind Directions
Wind direction in Kathmandu doesn’t stay the same all spring. Late March and early April bring winds mostly from the west, and this pattern sticks around for maybe three weeks.
During that period, westerlies show up in about 35% of weather observations. After that, things get a bit more unpredictable.
As April goes on, winds start shifting more often. Sometimes they come from the northwest, sometimes the southwest—it really depends on the day.
The valley’s shape and the nearby hills push and pull the air, so you won’t always get a breeze from the same direction. You might even notice the wind changing as the sun heats up different spots.
If you’re into trekking or paragliding, you’ll want to pay attention to these local wind patterns. They can make a difference in how comfortable or safe you feel.
But honestly, for most people, these shifts are pretty gentle. They’re just part of Kathmandu’s spring vibe.
Geographical Influences on Kathmandu’s Spring Weather
Kathmandu’s spring weather really comes down to its mountain valley setting and the land around it. Elevation, hills, and even what’s growing nearby all shape the temperatures, rain patterns, and how comfortable you feel outside.
Topography and Elevation Effects
Kathmandu sits at about 1,337 meters (4,386 feet) above sea level, tucked into a bowl-shaped valley. This height keeps spring days milder than Nepal’s lowlands, so you get cooler nights and pretty comfortable afternoons.
The Himalayan foothills wrap around the city, acting like a giant wall. They slow down moist air, which means rain starts to pick up as late spring edges toward monsoon season.
The valley’s enclosed shape also means wind doesn’t move much, so the air often feels calm—especially compared to wide open places.
The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) shows just how quickly the land rises around Kathmandu. Within about 50 miles, you go from the valley floor to peaks over 7,000 meters.
That crazy contrast in elevation makes for some interesting weather. You might see clouds build up out of nowhere in the afternoon.
So, if you’re heading to Kathmandu in spring, expect the weather to feel cooler and less humid than in the Terai plains. Still, don’t be surprised if it changes a bit from day to day.
Spring weather in Kathmandu definitely keeps you guessing.
Impact of Land Cover and Surroundings
Land cover in and around Kathmandu really shapes spring weather in noticeable ways. Inside the city, artificial surfaces like roads and buildings take up over half the space, while cropland fills in much of what’s left.
These surfaces handle heat in their own ways. They soak up sunlight and then release it, so you end up with little pockets of warmth or coolness depending on whether you’re in the city or out in the countryside.
If you check out the Global Land Cover Share (GLC-SHARE) data, you’ll see the valley is a patchwork of cropland, trees, and built-up areas. Cropland helps with evaporation, which bumps up the humidity just a bit, and tree cover throws some shade and keeps things cooler here and there.
At night, built-up areas hold onto warmth longer than the fields do, and you can feel a mild urban heat effect if you’re walking around. This stands out in spring, especially after sunset, when the rural spots cool off pretty fast under clear skies.
The mix of land types even changes how rain spreads out. Fields and plants grab onto moisture, but paved spots just send water running off in a hurry.
So, you’ll probably notice bigger puddles and quicker drying in the center of Kathmandu than out in the quieter edges.
All in all, the land cover and the valley’s layout make spring weather feel surprisingly different from one neighborhood to another.