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

Pakse, Laos JANUARY
25°
Peak season
19° to 32°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, warm and dry.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
27°
Peak season
21° to 34°
Dry & Warm
Still very dry, warming up as the month progresses.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
30°
Shoulder season
24° to 35°
Heat Builds
Still fairly dry, with the pre-monsoon heat building quickly.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
31°
Shoulder season
26° to 36°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year, humid with the first pre-monsoon showers.
🥵 Heat protection☔ Light rain jacket
30°
Shoulder season
25° to 34°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the monsoon sets in.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
Off-peak season
25° to 32°
Very Wet
Among the wettest months of the year, with rain a near-daily presence.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 31°
Very Wet
Still very wet, with rain on most days of the month.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with rain on more days than any other month.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 31°
Still Very Wet
Still deep in the monsoon, similar to June.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Monsoon Withdraws
Rain drops off noticeably as the monsoon retreats.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
27°
Shoulder season
22° to 32°
Dry & Warm
Dry and warm, easing toward the coolest stretch of the year.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
26°
Peak season
19° to 32°
Driest Month
Tied as the driest month of the year, part of the best window, still warm by day.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
⭐️
Dec
This month
Rainfall
0 mm
0 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
58%
Comfortably humid
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
10 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
55%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
25 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
57%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
66 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
63%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
231 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
350 mm
21 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
414 mm
24 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
505 mm
25 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
310 mm
20 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
130 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
25 mm
5 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
69%
Comfortably humid
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
0 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
63%
Comfortably humid
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
Pakse's best window, the coolest stretch of the dry season, though still quite warm. January, February, and December are historically the most comfortable months, with highs still typically reaching around 32°C.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
This tier spans March through May, plus September, October, and November. The heat builds toward the hottest stretch of the year before the monsoon rains bring some relief.
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, exceeding 500mm.
Good to know
🏙️
Laos' second-largest city
Pakse sits at 100 meters elevation on the banks of the Mekong in southern Laos.
🌡️
The warmest winter of any city in this dataset
Even in December and January, highs in Pakse typically reach around 32°C, noticeably warmer than Vientiane or Luang Prabang at the same time of year.
🌧️
June through September brings heavy rain
Each of these four months historically exceeds 300mm of rain, with August the wettest, averaging over 500mm.
Gateway to the Bolaven Plateau
This coffee-growing highland region, known for waterfalls including Tad Fane and Tad Yuang, sits within reach of Pakse.
🛕
Near the ancient temple of Wat Phou
This UNESCO World Heritage Khmer temple complex, predating Angkor Wat, sits a short drive south of Pakse.
Top attractions
1
Wat Phou
A UNESCO World Heritage Khmer temple complex predating Angkor Wat, set against a mountain backdrop south of the city.
2
Bolaven Plateau
A cool, fertile highland region known for coffee plantations and waterfalls, including Tad Fane and Tad Yuang.
3
Si Phan Don (4000 Islands)
A stretch of the Mekong scattered with islands and islets, popular for a slower pace and river dolphin sightings.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Pakse?
Pakse's monsoon season historically runs from May through September, with June through August each exceeding 300mm and August the wettest month, averaging over 500mm.
What is the best time of year to visit Pakse?
November through February is historically the coolest part of the dry season, though it stays warm, with highs still typically around 32°C.
What is the least favorable time to visit Pakse?
June through August is historically the wettest stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Pakse?
August is historically the wettest month, averaging around 505mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Pakse?
January and December are historically tied as the driest months, when it almost never rains.
How hot does Pakse get?
April is historically the hottest month, with highs that can reach the mid-30s Celsius.
Is Pakse warm even in winter?
Yes, notably. Even in December and January, highs typically reach around 32°C, the warmest winter of any Laos city in this dataset.
What should I pack for Pakse?
Light clothing year-round, a light sweatshirt for cooler evenings, and a raincoat or umbrella for the summer monsoon.
Is Wat Phou near Pakse?
Yes. This UNESCO World Heritage Khmer temple complex, predating Angkor Wat, sits a short drive south of the city.
Is the Bolaven Plateau near Pakse?
Yes. This coffee-growing highland region, known for waterfalls including Tad Fane and Tad Yuang, is reachable from Pakse.