Nepal

Nepal Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Nepal in January.

Planning a trip to Nepal this January? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Nepal in January

In January, Nepal experiences a range of weather conditions, with temperatures that range from very cold to warm and precipitation levels ranging from low to high. January is a winter month.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very cold in Muktināth at -6°C (21°F) to warm in Janakpur at 24°C (75°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 11°C (52°F) in Janakpur and -19°C (-2°F) in Muktināth. While January might be the chilliest month, Nepal offers areas with temperate climates year-round, ensuring visitors always have a delightful experience.

For a closer look at conditions across Nepal, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Lumbini with an average of 10 mm (0.4 in) to high rainfall in Deorāli with 111 mm (4.4 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is generally plentiful throughout many areas. Kathmandu enjoys about 221 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Nepal by month

Best Places to Visit in Nepal in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Nepal.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Nepal

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Nepal?

Temperature range in Nepal (January)

Precipitation variation in Nepal (January)

Kathmandu

In January Kathmandu generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
16°C (61°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
251 hours
221 hours
250 hours
Monthly rainfall
23 mm (0.9 in)
44 mm (1.7 in)
56 mm (2.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Pokhara

In January Pokhara generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
21°C (70°F)
20°C (68°F)
23°C (73°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
220 hours
205 hours
207 hours
Monthly rainfall
12 mm (0.5 in)
23 mm (0.9 in)
37 mm (1.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Sauraha

In January Sauraha generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 22°C (72°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
24°C (75°F)
22°C (72°F)
26°C (79°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
9°C (48°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly rainfall
12 mm (0.5 in)
23 mm (0.9 in)
29 mm (1.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
a single day
a single day
Weather conditions

Bhaktapur

In January Bhaktapur generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
17°C (63°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
5°C (41°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
251 hours
221 hours
250 hours
Monthly rainfall
22 mm (0.9 in)
41 mm (1.6 in)
54 mm (2.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Lalitpur

In January Lalitpur generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
17°C (63°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
251 hours
221 hours
250 hours
Monthly rainfall
22 mm (0.9 in)
42 mm (1.7 in)
53 mm (2.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Nepal.

In our records: Nepal January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Nepal in our climate database (2005 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest January night in Nepal dropped to -31°C (-24°F) in Manang on January 25, 2013.
  • In our records, the coldest January daytime high in Nepal was -19°C (-2°F) in Manang on January 27, 2008.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Nepal in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Kathmandu 16°C (61°F) 5°C (41°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Pokhara 20°C (68°F) 7°C (45°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Sauraha 22°C (72°F) 9°C (48°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Rummindei 22°C (72°F) 9°C (48°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Bandipur 20°C (68°F) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Lukla 1°C (34°F) -13°C (9°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)

Nepal weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Nepal in January?

Nepal typically experiences tolerable weather in January, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Kathmandu average around 16°C (61°F), and temperatures drop to about 5°C (41°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Nepal in January?

In Kathmandu, the average daytime high in January is 16°C (61°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 5°C (41°F).

Does Nepal get a lot of rain in January?

Rain is generally moderate to light in Nepal during January, with Kathmandu averaging close to 44 mm (1.7 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit Nepal?

In our opinion, January is a good time to visit Nepal with overall tolerable weather in Kathmandu. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in March, April, October, November and December offering mostly perfect weather in Kathmandu. The weather in June, July, August and September, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Nepal.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Nepal? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Nepal.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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