Is It Monsoon in Luang Prabang, Laos? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Luang Prabang, Laos JANUARY
22°
★★★
Peak season
14° to 28°
Cool Mornings
Cool and foggy at night, mild and sunny by day, part of the best window.
🧥 Warm layers for mornings☀️ Sunscreen
24°
★★★
Peak season
16° to 32°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, warming up quickly by day.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
26°
★★★
Shoulder season
18° to 34°
Heat Builds
Still fairly dry, with the pre-monsoon heat building quickly.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
22° to 35°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year, with highs that can reach 40°C.
🥵 Heat protection☔ Light rain jacket
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
23° to 34°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the monsoon sets in, with heat easing only slightly.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° to 33°
Steady Rain
Rain becomes a near-daily fixture, hot and humid throughout.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Very Wet
Among the wettest months of the year, with rain on most days.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, hot and humid with rain most days.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
23° to 33°
Rain Eases
Rain eases back noticeably from the peak of the monsoon.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
27°
★★★
Shoulder season
22° to 32°
Monsoon Withdraws
Rain drops off sharply as the monsoon retreats, sunny and comfortable again.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
24°
★★★
Shoulder season
18° to 30°
Dry & Pleasant
Dry and comfortable, easing toward the coolest stretch of the year.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
21°
★★★
Peak season
15° to 27°
Cool Mornings
Part of the best window, cool and foggy at night, mild by day.
🧥 Warm layers for mornings☀️ Sunscreen
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
⭐️
Dec
This month
Rainfall
15 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
10 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
64%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
51 mm
5 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
61%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
99 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
64%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
160 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
70%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
201 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
75%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
284 mm
20 rainy days this month
Sunshine
3.5 hrs/day
27% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
330 mm
21 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
175 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
84 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
25 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
74%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
25 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Seasons at a glance
🌟
Peak season: Jan, Feb, Dec
Luang Prabang's best window, the coolest stretch of the dry season. January, February, and December are historically the most comfortable months, though fog can form at night and mornings can be cool.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
This tier spans March through May, plus September, October, and November. The heat builds fast ahead of the monsoon, sometimes reaching 40°C even in this relatively dry part of Laos.
☔
Off-peak season: Jun, Jul, Aug
The heart of the summer monsoon. June through August sees the heaviest rain of the year, with August historically the wettest month, even though Luang Prabang is one of the least rainy areas of Laos overall.
Good to know
🛕
A UNESCO World Heritage town
Luang Prabang sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, its old town protected for its blend of traditional Lao and French colonial architecture.
🌫️
Winter mornings can be foggy and cool
Fog often forms at night from December to February, and lows can occasionally drop to 10°C or below.
🥶
Cold spells are rare but have happened
In January 2016, there were two days with a high of just 9°C and a low of 5°C, an unusually cold spell for the city.
☀️
One of the least rainy areas of Laos
Luang Prabang historically receives around 1,450mm of rain a year, notably less than much of the rest of the country.
🙏
Home to a daily almsgiving ceremony
Each morning at dawn, saffron-robed monks process through the streets to receive alms from residents and visitors, a long-standing local tradition.
Top attractions
1
Kuang Si Falls
A multi-tiered turquoise waterfall about 30km from the city, with pools popular for swimming.
2
Mount Phousi
A hilltop temple in the center of town, popular at sunset for panoramic views over the Mekong and surrounding hills.
3
Morning Almsgiving Ceremony
A daily dawn procession of monks collecting alms through the old town streets, one of the city's most recognized traditions.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Luang Prabang?›
Luang Prabang's monsoon season historically runs from May through September, with August the wettest month, averaging around 330mm of rain.
What is the best time of year to visit Luang Prabang?›
November through February is historically the coolest part of the dry season and the best time for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Luang Prabang?›
June through August is historically the wettest stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Luang Prabang?›
August is historically the wettest month, averaging around 330mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Luang Prabang?›
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 10mm of rain.
How hot does Luang Prabang get?›
April is historically the hottest month, with highs that can reach 40°C before the monsoon arrives.
Does it get cold in Luang Prabang?›
Nights can be cool from December to February, with fog common; a rare cold spell in January 2016 brought highs of just 9°C.
What should I pack for Luang Prabang?›
Light clothing for the day, a jacket and sweater for cool evenings, and a raincoat for drizzle in winter or heavier rain during the monsoon.
What is the almsgiving ceremony in Luang Prabang?›
Each morning at dawn, saffron-robed monks process through the streets to receive alms from residents and visitors, a long-standing Buddhist tradition.
Is Luang Prabang a UNESCO World Heritage Site?›
Yes. Its old town, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, is protected for its blend of traditional Lao and French colonial architecture.