Nepal Kathmandu Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in Kathmandu is moderate
Kathmandu Weather in May — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 29° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 120mm · 12 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, Kathmandu in May averages a high of 29°C and low of 16°C with 120mm of rain over about 12 days. Hot, humid pre-monsoon. Warm afternoons around 29°C, mild nights near 16°C, with rising humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and an umbrella for sudden downpours. Strong UV.
May is moderate for Kathmandu.
May is hot and increasingly humid as the pre-monsoon builds — afternoons around 29°C, mild nights near 16°C, and frequent late-afternoon thunderstorms that bring rising rainfall (about 120mm). Mornings are often still clear before clouds build through the day.
This is the tail of the spring trekking season; lower-altitude treks get warm and hazy, though high routes remain popular before the rains. Crowds and prices ease back to moderate as the peak season winds down.
Travel score
Kathmandu May Weather Stats
Avg High
29°C
Avg Low
16°C
Rainy Days
12
120mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
68%
muggy
UV Index
10
Very high
Wind
8 km/h
Gusts 18
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
45 μg/m³
PM10
85 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
31°C
Nighttime
16°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
8 km/h
Max gust 18 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Buddha Jayanti at Boudhanath & Swayambhunath
- Clear mornings before afternoon storms
- Easing crowds and prices
- Lush greenery developing
Cons
- Hot and humid
- Frequent afternoon thunderstorms
- Afternoon haze cuts mountain views
- Very strong midday UV
May Events & Festivals
- Hot pre-monsoon + afternoon thunderstorms
- Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's birthday, around May) — big at Boudhanath/Swayambhunath
- End of the spring trekking season
- Building humidity ahead of the monsoon
Kathmandu in May — Full Picture
May is hot and increasingly humid as the pre-monsoon builds — afternoons around 29°C, mild nights near 16°C, and frequent late-afternoon thunderstorms that bring rising rainfall (about 120mm). Mornings are often still clear before clouds build through the day.
This is the tail of the spring trekking season; lower-altitude treks get warm and hazy, though high routes remain popular before the rains. Crowds and prices ease back to moderate as the peak season winds down.
Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's birthday, around the May full moon) is a major Buddhist celebration, especially vivid at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath with prayers, lamps, and processions — a wonderful time to visit the stupas.
The heat and strong midday UV call for light clothing, sunscreen, and plenty of water, and an umbrella for the daily downpours. Mountain views are best caught early before the afternoon haze and storms roll in. It's a reasonable, slightly cheaper window if you can handle the heat and humidity.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Hot, humid pre-monsoon. Warm afternoons around 29°C, mild nights near 16°C, with rising humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and an umbrella for sudden downpours. Strong UV.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current27.3°C
12°C
7.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28°C
19.7°C
18.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
25.7°C
13.7°C
6.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
20°C
3°C
2/mo
Kathmandu Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19° | 2° | 2d·15mm | 7h | 70% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 21° | 4° | 3d·20mm | 7.5h | 65% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| March (Best) | 25° | 8° | 4d·35mm | 8h | 60% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 28° | 12° | 7d·60mm | 8h | 60% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| 29° | 16° | 12d·120mm | 7h | 68% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 28° | 19° | 16d·240mm | 5h | 78% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 28° | 20° | 20d·365mm | 4h | 82% | 8 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 28° | 20° | 19d·330mm | 4.5h | 82% | 8 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 28° | 19° | 13d·200mm | 5.5h | 78% | 7 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| October (Best) | 26° | 14° | 5d·50mm | 8h | 68% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| November (Best) | 23° | 8° | 1d·10mm | 7.5h | 65% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| 20° | 3° | 1d·10mm | 7h | 68% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Kathmandu May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Kathmandu?
Kathmandu in May is moderate. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Kathmandu in May?
Kathmandu May averages a high of 29°C and a low of 16°C.
Does it rain much in Kathmandu in May?
Kathmandu May averages 120mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kathmandu in May?
Hot, humid pre-monsoon. Warm afternoons around 29°C, mild nights near 16°C, with rising humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and an umbrella for sudden downpours. Strong UV.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kathmandu in May?
Kathmandu May sunrise is 05:15 and sunset is 18:35, with 13h 20min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kathmandu in May?
Kathmandu May air quality (AQI) averages 72, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 45μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kathmandu in May?
In May, Kathmandu is great for Buddha Jayanti at the stupas, Early-morning sightseeing (before storms), Durbar Squares + Bhaktapur.
Is May peak season in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu May crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Kathmandu
View Other Months
Planning a May trip to Kathmandu?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.