The climate of Bangkok
Bangkok has a tropical savanna type of climate (Köppen climate classification Aw) with hot and humid summers, wet rainy periods, and warm winters.
Bangkok, the capital of
Thailand, lies in central Thailand, in the Chao Phraya River delta. The city lies in the proximity of the Gulf of Thailand, which influences its climate. Bangkok is at a low altitude, only about 1.5 meters above sea level, and lies in the tropical latitudes, which keep the temperatures warm throughout the year.
Bangkok, the Venice of the East, has numerous canals that serve as transport routes and drainage channels. The topography is flat in the absence of mountains, and most of the lands are swamplands converted to agriculture lands. Annual rainfall is 1651mm (65") - precipitation occurs mainly in the wet season from
May to
October, while the rest of the year hardly sees 15% of the total rainfall. Bangkok registers 2623 hours of sunshine during the year. The average humidity ranges from 66% to 79%, and the city is warm throughout the year.
Bangkok has three seasons: hot, wet, and cold. The tropical location is responsible for reasonably hot temperatures all year round. The hot season is from
February to
April, is mostly dry, with average the high temperatures of 35.6°C (96.1°F) at the peak of April. Scorching days register in April and May before the arrival of the monsoon, with temperatures often crossing 37.8°C (100°F). Bangkok exhibits the urban heat island effect, albeit to a lower extent than other parts of Thailand owing to its proximity to the sea.
The southwest monsoon ascends over Bangkok during the wet season from May to October, bringing heavy rainfall along with it. Heavy rain and stormy weather are evident in the season as it rains almost every day or two. The cold season is from
November to
January when Bangkok has pleasant weather, and the average low temperature is 21.7°C (71.1°F) during
December.
The best time to visit Bangkok
The best time to visit
Bangkok is from
November to
January when the temperatures are relatively mild during the winter, and the rainfall is negligible.
The average humidity is at the lowest levels of the year during the winter. The dry months, clear skies, and lack of stormy weather make the season pleasant and stay comfortable.
Winter months seldom go below 15.6°C (60.1°F) to 21.1°C (70°F), and the days are bright with ample sunshine.
The worst time to visit Bangkok
April to
October is usually the worst time to visit
Bangkok as the temperatures are high, and the precipitation is heavy.
The wet season punishes the region by unleashing profound spells of rains. The conditions are humid and mostly cloudy. Floods are common, and Bangkok sometimes submerges into the water for long periods. Add tropical storms to the equation, and the wet season becomes the worst time to visit Bangkok.
Weather hazards
Bangkok is prone to thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, typhoons, and floods, mainly during the rainy period from
May to
October. Thunderstorms are frequent in the region with lightning and rain. Tropical cyclones of variable strengths originating in the Indian Ocean travel to Bangkok, make landfills and cause devastation on occasions. Torrential rains during the wet season flood Bangkok regularly as the city is at a low elevation, drainage systems are insufficient, and subsistence is a severe issue.
The best time to visit Bangkok
The best months for a swim in
Bangkok,
Thailand, are
January through
March and
December, with a perfect temperature - varying between 25°C (77°F) and 29°C (84.2°F), and scarce rainfall.
Weather in January
January, like
December, is a hot winter month in
Bangkok,
Thailand, with an average temperature varying between 22.6°C (72.7°F) and 32.5°C (90.5°F). The ideal sea water temperature of 26.7°C (80.1°F) and only 1 rainfall days, with 13mm (0.51") of accumulated rainfall, makes January the best time for swimming and other water activities.
Weather in January » Weather in February
The last month of the winter,
February, is also a hot month in
Bangkok,
Thailand, with an average temperature varying between 24.4°C (75.9°F) and 33.3°C (91.9°F). The ideal sea water temperature of 27.5°C (81.5°F) and only 3 rainfall days, with 20mm (0.79") of accumulated rainfall, makes February the best time for swimming and other water activities.
Weather in February »Weather in March
The first month of the spring,
March, is also a hot month in
Bangkok,
Thailand, with an average temperature fluctuating between 34.3°C (93.7°F) and 25.9°C (78.6°F). An excellent water temperature of 28.3°C (82.9°F) and only 3 rainfall days, with 42mm (1.65") of accumulated rainfall, makes March a prime for swimming and other water activities.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Bangkok,
Thailand, is a torrid spring month, with an average temperature varying between 35.4°C (95.7°F) and 26.9°C (80.4°F). With an average high-temperature of 35.4°C (95.7°F) and an average low-temperature of 26.9°C (80.4°F), April is the warmest month. The average heat index in April is estimated at a blazing hot 53°C (127.4°F).
Weather in April » Weather in May
The last month of the spring,
May, is also a hot month in
Bangkok,
Thailand, with temperature in the range of an average high of 34.4°C (93.9°F) and an average low of 26.3°C (79.3°F). In Bangkok, the average high-temperature in May is relatively the same as in
April - a tropical 34.4°C (93.9°F).
Weather in May »Weather in June
The first month of the summer,
June, is still a tropical month in
Bangkok,
Thailand, with an average temperature fluctuating between 26.1°C (79°F) and 33.6°C (92.5°F). In Bangkok, the average high-temperature in June is relatively the same as in
May - a still tropical 33.6°C (92.5°F).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July, the same as
June, in
Bangkok,
Thailand, is another tropical summer month, with an average temperature ranging between min 25.7°C (78.3°F) and max 33.2°C (91.8°F). In Bangkok, the average high-temperature in July is relatively the same as in June - a still tropical 33.2°C (91.8°F).
Weather in July » Weather in August
The last month of the summer,
August, is another tropical month in
Bangkok,
Thailand, with an average temperature varying between 32.9°C (91.2°F) and 25.5°C (77.9°F). In August, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in
July - a still tropical 32.9°C (91.2°F).
Weather in August »Weather in September
September, the first month of the autumn in
Bangkok, is also a hot month, with an average temperature varying between 25°C (77°F) and 32.8°C (91°F). In September, the average high-temperature is essentially the same as in
August - a still hot 32.8°C (91°F).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October, like
September, is a hot autumn month in
Bangkok,
Thailand, with an average temperature fluctuating between 32.6°C (90.7°F) and 24.8°C (76.6°F). In Bangkok, the average high-temperature in October is practically the same as in September - a still tropical 32.6°C (90.7°F).
Weather in October » Weather in November
November, the last month of the autumn in
Bangkok, is another tropical month, with an average temperature varying between 32.4°C (90.3°F) and 23.9°C (75°F). In Bangkok, the average high-temperature in November is almost the same as in
October - a still tropical 32.4°C (90.3°F).
Weather in November » Weather in December
December, the first month of the winter in
Bangkok, is still a hot month, with an average temperature varying between 22°C (71.6°F) and 31.7°C (89.1°F). The perfect water temperature of 27.9°C (82.2°F) with 6mm (0.24") of accumulated rainfall and only 1 rainfall days, makes December a great period for swimming and other water activities.
Weather in December » [Resources]