The climate of Jomsom
Taking an in-depth look reveals that the climate in
Jomsom,
Nepal is primarily dictated by the Köppen climate classification, ET, which is commonly recognized as a Tundra climate. This high altitude locale, settled in the shadows of the Himalayan giants, experiences cold temperatures most of the year, with short summer bursts of relative warmth.
Diving deeper into the weather throughout the year shows a distinctive pattern. High temperatures fluctuate from 3°C (37.4°F) in
January, slowly rising and peaking at 17°C (62.6°F) during the warmest months of
June and
July. Following the peak, temperatures then start to decrease till they once again reach 3°C (37.4°F) in
December.
When the focus shifts to rainfall, there is a remarkable increase from a mere 22mm (0.87") in January to a peak of 112mm (4.41") in
August, showing the arrival and peak of the monsoon season. In a similar fashion, rainfall days increase from 4 days in January to a high of 21 days in July, depicting a near-constant state of rainfall during this period.
One cannot overlook the sunshine hours and UV index that present their own patterns. A gradual increase is noticeable from January's 6 hours to
April's and
May's 9 hours, decreasing onwards to stabilize at 6 hours again in December. The UV index, on the other hand, stays constant at 12 from April to
September after which it trails off to 5 in December.
A unique feature of Jomsom's weather is the drastic drop in temperatures. The lowest temperatures dip to as far as -14°C (6.8°F) in January, with even the warmest months of June and July observing lows of 6°C (42.8°F).
The best time to visit Jomsom
Balancing factors such as daylight, rainfall amount, and temperature, it emerges that
May and
June prove to be the best time to visit
Jomsom. These months provide warmer temperatures with highs reaching to 14°C (57.2°F) and 17°C (62.6°F) respectively. Despite the average rainfall amounting to 53mm (2.09") and 69mm (2.72"), these months receive ample sunshine hours. Visitors can expect around 13.6 and 14 daylight hours, with 7 and 6 sunshine hours respectively during these months.
The worst time to visit Jomsom
Jomsom's weather conditions make
January and
February the worst months for a visit. January welcomes visitors with a biting high of 3°C (37.4°F) and a freezing low of -14°C (6.8°F), while February slightly improves to 4°C (39.2°F) and -12°C (10.4°F) respectively. Furthermore, the frigid temperatures are exacerbated by a short span of daylight averaging at 10.6 and 11.2 hours for January and February respectively. Although the rainfall is comparatively low during these months, the harsh temperatures render this time unsuitable for a visit.
Spring weather in Jomsom
March,
April, and
May mark the arrival of spring in
Jomsom. High temperatures rise from 7°C (44.6°F) to 14°C (57.2°F), with lows making the transition from -9°C (15.8°F) to -1°C (30.2°F). Rainfall amounts increase as well, starting from 58mm (2.28") in March to 53mm (2.09") in May. Simultaneously, sunshine hours exhibit an improvement, offering up to 9 hours in April and May. Despite increased rainfall, spring months come with the highest UV index, reaching up to 12 in May. Visitors during spring are thus advised to take the necessary precautions for UV protection.
Summer weather in Jomsom
June,
July, and
August constitute the summer months in
Jomsom. Temperatures reach their highest with peaks at 17°C (62.6°F) in June and July before they drop to 16°C (60.8°F) in August. This warm spell however, is accompanied by the monsoon with rainfall peaking at 112mm (4.41") in August. The rainfall is relentless as July and August each see rain on around 20 days. Meanwhile, sunlight hours decrease slightly to 6 hours in June continuing to 4 hours in August. The UV index remains consistently high at 12 during these months.
Autumn weather in Jomsom
Autumn in
Jomsom falls within
September,
October, and
November. High temperatures during these months decrease, falling gradually from 15°C (59°F) in September to 8°C (46.4°F) in November. The rainfall sees a notable decline from 72mm (2.83") in September to a minimal 14mm (0.55") in November. Correspondingly, rainfall days decrease drastically from 14 days in September to a mere 2 days in November. Sunshine hours go up to 7 hours for October and November, a pleasant change after the heavily clouded summer months.
Winter weather in Jomsom
Winter in
Jomsom begins from
December and continues through to
February. High temperatures hover between 3°C (37.4°F) and 4°C (39.2°F) for these months, but the true severity of the season is seen in the form of chilling lows, with temperatures nosediving from -12°C (10.4°F) in December and
January down to -14°C (6.8°F) in February. Daylight hours are the shortest, fluctuating from about 10.3 to 11.2 hours. Nonetheless, the positive side to these low temperatures comes in the form of decreased rainfall from 21mm (0.83") in December down to 22mm (0.87") in January. These winter months also offer clear skies with 6 to 7 hours of sunshine daily.
Weather in January
Jomsom starts the year with a cold and dry climate. The clear skies usually allow about 6 hours of sunlight daily. The weather begins to transition from the harsh winter temperatures, marking a distinct shift from
December. This month brings the lowest temperatures of the year, with it dipping to as low as -14°C (6.8°F) and rarely exceeding 3°C (37.4°F).
Weather in January » Weather in February
The winter's grip loosens slightly in
February, with temperatures now ranging from -12°C (10.4°F) to 4°C (39.2°F).
Jomsom's weather remains quite tolerable for outdoor activities, with snowfall being replaced by a moderate amount of rainfall, 41mm (1.61") on average.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March ushers in Spring and starts to warm up
Jomsom. As a precursor to the harsher summer months, March has ample daylight hours, averaging around 12 hours per day. Subsequent to
February, temperatures rise quite noticeably, showing signs of the impending summer heat.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
With
April, the weather takes a visible turn. A pervasive warmth seeps into
Jomsom with temperatures ranging from -4°C (24.8°F) to 11°C (51.8°F). The skies remain clear for the most part, providing good visibility for out-door explorers.
Weather in April »Weather in May
The month of
May is characterised by clear blue skies and a pleasant temperature. The transition from the frigid winters to the warmer months is fully settled in May. As a result, the days bring warmth, with temperatures going up to 14°C (57.2°F).
Weather in May »Weather in June
June presents
Jomsom with mild summery conditions and an average daily temperature of 17°C (62.6°F). It marks the arrival of Monsoon, characterised by an increase in rainfall, with June recording an average rainfall of 69mm (2.72").
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July showcases
Jomsom with its wettest phase, receiving a high rainfall of 103mm (4.06"). A prominent change from
June, the monsoon season is at its peak with rainfall occurring on an average of 21 days. Temperatures continue to range between 6°C (42.8°F) and 17°C (62.6°F), providing a balance to the heavy downpours.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August continues the monsoon trend from
July, with
Jomsom experiencing a similar rainfall intensity of 112mm (4.41"). The weather features wet and humid conditions, providing a vibrant green landscape. Daylight hours decrease slightly from the previous months but remain fairly high.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September brings a decrease in rainfall intensity, marking the end of the monsoon season in
Jomsom. Temperatures hover from a chilly 3°C (37.4°F) to a pleasant 15°C (59°F). With the retreating rains, the terrains of Jomsom start to dry, and a significant change in the landscape is noticeable.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October introduces the autumn season to
Jomsom, with crisp, clear skies and spectacular views. Temperatures start falling and range from -3°C (26.6°F) to 11°C (51.8°F), hinting at the oncoming winter months. With a reduction in rainfall to 39mm (1.54"), October is known for its dry and comfortable ambiance.
Weather in October » Weather in November
With dwindling temperatures,
November marks the onset of the early winter in
Jomsom. Chilliness begins to creep into the air, and the weather slowly transitions into winter mode. Temperatures plummet to -9°C (15.8°F) but can still reach a soothing 8°C (46.4°F) during the day.
Weather in November »Weather in December
By
December,
Jomsom fully embraces the winter season. The weather becomes colder, mirroring the typical wintry conditions of
January. With temperatures oscillating from -12°C (10.4°F) to 5°C (41°F), the cold becomes more persistent, especially during the night.
Weather in December » [Resources]