Spring in Lhasa feels like a real turning point, both in temperature and in the city’s overall vibe. Daytime highs start near 50°F in early March and climb up to about 70°F by late May. Nights begin close to freezing and slowly warm to the upper 40s.
This steady warming creates a nice balance—crisp mornings, pleasant afternoons. It’s a good time to get outside.
As spring moves along, clouds thin out and the skies open up. You’ll notice longer days too. Sunshine gets more reliable. Daylight actually stretches by more than two hours from early March to late May.
At the same time, rain chances creep up. Showers are rare at first but become more likely as May wraps up.
Winds shift direction as well. Early on, breezes tend to come from the west, but by late spring they turn more southerly. Lhasa’s high altitude makes these changes feel more dramatic. Whether you’re sightseeing, hiking, or just soaking up the city’s unique energy, you’ll want to plan around the weather.
Overview of Lhasa Spring Weather
Spring in Lhasa means steady warming, longer days, and a move from dry winter air toward wetter summer conditions. Early in the season, skies are mostly clear, but clouds and rain show up more as summer gets closer.
Typical Weather Patterns in Spring
During spring, daily highs jump from about 50°F (10°C) in March to around 70°F (21°C) in May. Nights start near 26°F (-3°C) and warm to about 49°F (9°C). Early mornings still feel chilly, so layering up is smart.
March stays pretty dry, but rain picks up by late May. The chance of a wet day goes from almost zero in early spring to about 17% at the end of May. Most rain is light, and snow basically disappears by April.
Clouds thin out a bit as the season goes on, so you’ll get more blue-sky days, especially in late May. Winds calm down too, shifting from westerly to southerly.
Humidity remains very low, so even as it warms up, the air feels dry. That dryness, plus the strong sun, can make it feel warmer than the thermometer says.
Seasonal Changes from Winter to Spring
Spring arrives fast in Lhasa, bringing a quick warm-up. Winter highs often stay below 45°F (7°C), but by April you’ll see regular highs above 55°F (13°C). Nights lose their bitter edge, moving away from subfreezing lows.
Day length grows by more than two hours from early March to late May. Sunrises come earlier and sunsets stretch later, so by late spring you’ll get nearly 14 hours of daylight.
The growing season usually starts in mid-April, once freezing nights taper off. This shift helps local farmers and makes outdoor life more comfortable.
Winds change up, too. Winter gusts are stronger and colder, but by mid-spring wind speeds drop from about 8.5 mph to near 6 mph. Things feel a bit calmer.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Spring in Lhasa is drier and cooler than summer. Summer highs reach the low 70s°F (22–23°C), but July and August bring frequent monsoon rains. Spring, on the other hand, gives you more sun and fewer rainy days.
Compared to autumn, spring starts off colder and the weather can be less predictable. Autumn usually feels mild, with clearer skies and less rain than late spring.
Winter stands out the most. It’s dry, windy, and much colder, with average lows around 18°F (-8°C) in January. Spring finally brings a break—more daylight, softer winds, and a steady warm-up that signals summer’s on the way.
Average Temperatures During Spring
Temperatures in Lhasa climb steadily through spring, both day and night. Mornings and evenings stay cool, but afternoons warm up as you move toward early summer.
Daytime Temperature Ranges
Spring afternoons in Lhasa start around 50°F (10°C) in March and reach about 70°F (21°C) by May. Rarely do highs go above 77°F (25°C), so it never gets uncomfortably hot.
Walking and sightseeing feel pretty good in the afternoons. At nearly 12,000 feet, the sun feels stronger, so even on cooler days you might need sunscreen.
By late May, afternoons often feel mild to warm. Clouds and rain can keep things cooler, but the mix of altitude and sunshine usually makes for crisp, pleasant days.
Nighttime Temperature Trends
Nights stay much colder than the days. March lows average 26°F (-3°C), often dropping below freezing. By May, nights warm up to about 49°F (9°C), though frosty mornings can still pop up early in the season.
With Lhasa’s high elevation, temperatures fall quickly after sunset. Even if the afternoon feels mild, you’ll notice the chill as soon as the sun goes down.
Layering up is a must, especially if you’re out at night. Hotels and guesthouses usually offer extra blankets, but packing a good jacket is a smart move. The big swing between day and night temps is one of Lhasa spring’s most noticeable quirks.
Monthly Temperature Breakdown: March, April, May
- March: Highs near 50°F (10°C), lows around 26°F (-3°C). Days stay chilly, frost is common at night.
- April: Highs reach about 60°F (16°C), lows hover around 37°F (3°C). Afternoons start to feel better, but mornings are still cold.
- May: Highs hit 70°F (21°C), lows average 49°F (9°C). May brings the warmest evenings and the longest days of spring.
May usually feels the most comfortable for outdoor plans, while March and April call for more prep for chilly nights.
Precipitation and Rainfall in Spring
Spring in Lhasa shifts from the dry winter toward wetter days, but rain stays moderate compared to the summer monsoon. Expect light to moderate showers, maybe a bit of snow early on, and humidity that rises as things warm up.
Rainfall Amounts by Month
March remains dry, with just 8–12 mm of precipitation. Snow can still fall, but it’s usually light.
April brings more rain, averaging around 20–25 mm. Showers pop up more often, though they’re usually short and scattered.
May sees the most rain, with 35–40 mm as the summer rainy season approaches. Most showers fall in the late afternoon or evening. May ends up as the wettest spring month in Lhasa.
| Month | Average Precipitation (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | 8–12 mm |
| April | 20–25 mm |
| May | 35–40 mm |
Number of Rainy and Snowy Days
March usually brings just 2–3 days with measurable precipitation, sometimes as light snow. The dry air and high elevation keep storms rare.
April bumps up to about 5–6 wet days. Rain becomes more common than snow, but colder nights can still bring a mix.
May typically has 8–10 days with rain. It’s not as wet as summer, but you’ll notice the change. Rain showers are brief but can get intense thanks to the mountains.
Spring Humidity Levels
Humidity stays low in early spring. March averages around 35–40% relative humidity, so the air feels dry, even when it’s cold.
By April, humidity rises to about 45%. It’s a noticeable shift but still comfortable for most visitors.
May brings humidity up to 50–55%. Paired with more rain, the air doesn’t feel as dry as winter, but Lhasa’s humidity never gets as high as other Asian cities. It’s still easy to manage.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
Spring in Lhasa means longer days and plenty of sunshine. Outdoor plans get easier with more daylight and a big boost in sun compared to winter.
Average Daily Sunshine
Lhasa’s high elevation and clear skies mean it gets more sun than most Asian cities. In spring, you’ll see between 8 and 10 hours of sunshine a day, depending on the month.
March has a bit less, but April and May deliver stronger, more consistent sunlight. By May, you’re looking at about 9.4 hours per day, which is close to the yearly max.
Cool, dry air and strong sun make spring bright but not too hot. Even on cloudy days, you’ll usually get a few hours of direct sunlight.
UV radiation is intense at over 3,600 meters, so sunglasses and sunscreen are a must. The sun feels stronger here than in lower cities, even if the number of sunshine hours is the same.
Day Length Changes in Spring
Days get longer fast as spring goes on. In early March, sunrise is around 7:30 AM and sunset is close to 7:30 PM, so you get about 12 hours of daylight.
By April, daylight stretches to roughly 13 hours, with earlier sunrises and later sunsets. That gives you more time for sightseeing or just wandering without feeling rushed.
May brings nearly 14 hours of daylight, with sunrise before 6:30 AM and sunset after 8:00 PM. That’s about as long as it gets before summer.
Longer days help temperatures warm more steadily, and evenings stay brighter. For travelers, spring makes it easy to explore Lhasa without worrying about running out of light.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
Spring in Lhasa comes with steady winds and thin air thanks to the city’s altitude. These factors change how you feel temperature, visibility, and even your own energy.
Typical Wind Patterns
At over 3,600 meters, Lhasa gets light to moderate winds most days. Spring winds average 8–12 mph, but gusts can go higher, especially out on the plains. Afternoons are windier than mornings.
April and May are usually the windiest months. Winds make the air feel cooler, especially as the sun goes down. The dry air adds to that brisk feeling.
Winds sometimes carry dust, especially in areas without much vegetation. It’s not a huge problem, but it can be annoying if you’re outside for hours. Bringing sunglasses or a scarf helps.
Air Quality and Visibility
Lhasa’s high altitude and dry spring weather give you clear skies and long stretches of sun. Visibility often goes beyond 10 miles, especially in March when rain is rare. Spring is a great time to see the mountains and monasteries without haze.
Air quality usually stays good. There’s not much industry, and breezes clear out particles. Sometimes dust from surrounding valleys cuts visibility for a bit, especially on windy April days.
With less oxygen at this altitude, you might feel winded even when the air looks perfectly clean. Drinking plenty of water and taking it slow helps you adjust. The atmosphere feels crisp, sometimes challenging, but it’s all part of the experience.
Travel Tips for Visiting Lhasa in Spring
Spring in Lhasa brings cool, dry, and often windy weather. You’ll need to plan for quick temperature swings, strong sun at high altitude, and only occasional rain. If you time your visit right and pack smart, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
Best Time to Visit
Spring in Lhasa usually shows up from April to May. Daytime temperatures hang around 4°C to 18°C (40°F to 65°F), but nights get much colder.
The air feels dry, and winds sometimes whip through, especially in early spring. April can seem chilly, while May brings clearer skies and better visibility.
If you’re hoping to dodge big tourist crowds and avoid those high summer prices, spring works well. You’ll notice fewer people at places like the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple compared to summer.
Altitude sickness might catch travelers off guard any time of year. So, it’s smart to plan extra rest days at the start to help your body adjust.
Recommended Clothing and Gear
There’s a big difference between day and night temperatures, so pack layers. Bring a windbreaker or light jacket, sweaters, and long pants. At night, you’ll definitely want a warmer coat.
Lhasa sits over 3,600 meters up, so the sun gets pretty intense. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. The air is really dry, so lip balm and moisturizer come in handy.
Good walking shoes make a difference when you’re visiting monasteries or wandering those uneven streets. If you’re thinking about short hikes outside the city, lightweight trekking shoes are a good idea.
You might want to bring a small medical kit with altitude medication, rehydration salts, and some basic first aid supplies.
Seasonal Activities and Events
Spring feels like the perfect time to dive into both cultural spots and natural beauty. The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street don’t get as packed as they do in summer, so you actually get to wander and breathe a bit.
From late March through April, the Peach Blossom Festival in Nyingchi draws people in with those amazing pink blossoms set against snowy mountains. Sure, it’s outside Lhasa, but you can reach it by road or hop on a domestic flight if you’re up for it.
May usually brings clearer skies, so you might catch some stunning views of the Himalayas. It’s a solid month for heading out toward Shigatse or even making the trek to Mount Everest Base Camp, if that’s your thing.
If you want to stay closer to the city, you can stroll along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The spring scenery there blends blue water, blooming flowers, and those dramatic mountain backdrops—pretty hard to beat, honestly.