Lhasa weather by month
Lhasa weather follows a simple pattern. The weather service describes winter and spring as dry and often windy, with most rain falling from June to September, usually at night. Days and nights differ a lot in temperature, so a layer you do not need at noon is useful at dusk. The figures below are climate normals for the Lhasa station for 1991 to 2020, published by the Japan Meteorological Agency. They describe what is typical, not what a particular week will bring.
The table gives the mean temperature and the rainfall for each month. It does not show daily highs and lows, so treat it as a guide to the season and not to a specific day.
Monthly temperature and rainfall
Mean temperature in degrees Celsius and rainfall in millimetres, climate normals 1991 to 2020.
| Month | Mean temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | minus 0.1 °C | 0.9 mm |
| February | 2.7 °C | 1.0 mm |
| March | 6.2 °C | 3.7 mm |
| April | 9.3 °C | 8.5 mm |
| May | 13.3 °C | 30.3 mm |
| June | 16.8 °C | 84.8 mm |
| July | 16.6 °C | 140.6 mm |
| August | 16.0 °C | 127.5 mm |
| September | 14.4 °C | 58.2 mm |
| October | 10.0 °C | 6.9 mm |
| November | 4.3 °C | 0.9 mm |
| December | 0.4 °C | 0.5 mm |
These values belong to the city of Lhasa. Lakes and mountain areas such as Namtso or the Everest region sit at different heights and have their own conditions, so do not carry the Lhasa figures over to them.
Our pick: tour with a winter service
This tour adds a winter care service between 15 November and 15 February.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lhasa tours with permit, guide and entrance fees
Organised tours from Lhasa that include the Tibet Travel Permit, a guide and a vehicle, with live prices and availability.
Best time to visit Lhasa
No single month suits every traveller. It is a trade-off between warmth and rain. April and May bring milder days and little rain, though May is already wetter than the months before it. September and October are cooler than the summer and much drier than July and August. In October the normal rainfall is only 6.9 mm.
Winter is very dry and cold, with a mean of around zero in January and December. If you plan a visit to Potala Palace, remember that the opening hours change on 1 November. From 1 November to 30 April the palace opens at 09:30 and the last entry is at 15:20. From 1 May to 31 October it opens at 09:00 with the last entry at 15:40. Check the current times before you go, and read the details on the Potala Palace tickets page.
One tour on this page, the 8-day trip from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, mentions winter care from 15 November to 15 February, with a hot-water bottle and an electric blanket at the Rongpuk guesthouse.
Rainy summer
From June to September the rain is heaviest, with July at 140.6 mm and August at 127.5 mm. The weather service notes that rain often falls at night, so many days stay usable for sightseeing. Summer is also the warmest part of the year, at around 16 to 17 °C on average. Bring a light rain jacket and shoes that cope with wet stone, since the palace approach is a long climb of steps.
Whatever the season, the city lies at about 3,700 m. Plan the first days around the altitude and read the notes on Lhasa altitude sickness.
Winter free-entry campaign
A season with its own rules for tickets.
15 October 2026 to 15 March 2027
Entry to Route 1, Route 2 and the Snow City route at Potala Palace is announced as free during this winter campaign. Transport and reservations are separate. Temple complexes such as the Jokhang are excluded from the general free entry.
March and permits
Do not assume that travel in March is closed. Authorities warn that permit stops and local restrictions can start at short notice, even with a permit in hand, and one operator reported tours entering in March 2026. That is no promise for other dates, so ask your agency before you book. More on the Tibet travel permit page.
Monday closure all year
Since 21 September 2026 Potala Palace is closed on Mondays throughout the year, except on official public days off. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Plan your Lhasa days so that Monday is for the city, a temple or a rest day.
Lhasa weather and best time: frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Lhasa?
Dry and often windy in winter and spring, wetter from June to September with rain mostly at night, and large differences between day and night. The monthly table above shows the climate normals for 1991 to 2020.
Which month is the wettest in Lhasa?
July, with a normal rainfall of 140.6 mm, followed by August with 127.5 mm.
Is Potala Palace open on Mondays?
No. Since 21 September 2026 it is closed on Mondays all year, except on official public days off.
Can I visit Tibet in winter?
Yes, tours run in winter, and a campaign gives free entry to Potala Palace from 15 October 2026 to 15 March 2027, as announced. Check transport and reservations separately.
Can I use these figures for Namtso or Everest Base Camp?
No. The figures describe the city of Lhasa. Lakes and high mountain areas lie at other heights and have different conditions.