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

Xam Neua, Laos JANUARY
15°
★★★
Peak season
10° to 21°
Cool & Dry
The coolest, driest stretch of the year.
🧥 Warm layers for evenings☀️ Sunscreen
17°
★★★
Shoulder season
11° to 23°
Dry & Cloudy
Still comparatively dry, though skies can stay cloudy even now.
🧥 Light layers☀️ Sunscreen
20°
★★★
Shoulder season
13° to 27°
Warming Up
Warming up gradually, with rain starting to tick up.
🧥 Light layers for evenings☀️ Sunscreen
23°
★★★
Shoulder season
17° to 28°
Rain Builds
Rain becomes more frequent as the monsoon approaches.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
25°
★★★
Shoulder season
19° to 30°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the monsoon sets in.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
25°
★★★
Off-peak season
21° to 29°
Steady Rain
Rain becomes a near-daily fixture, warm and humid throughout.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
25°
★★★
Off-peak season
21° to 28°
Very Wet
Among the wettest months of the year, with rain on most days.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
24°
★★★
Off-peak season
21° to 28°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with rain on more days than any other month.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
24°
★★★
Shoulder season
19° to 28°
Rain Eases
Rain eases back from the peak of the monsoon.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
21°
★★★
Shoulder season
17° to 24°
Monsoon Withdraws
Rain drops off as the monsoon retreats, cooling gradually.
☔ Umbrella handy🧥 Light layers
19°
★★★
Peak season
14° to 23°
Dry & Cool
Dry and cool, part of the best window for a visit.
🧥 Warm layers for evenings☀️ Sunscreen
15°
★★★
Peak season
11° to 20°
Cool & Dry
Cool and dry, part of the best window for a visit.
🧥 Warm layers for evenings☀️ Sunscreen
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
⭐️
Nov
⭐️
Dec
This month
Rainfall
25 mm
8 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
30 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
64%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
51 mm
10 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
119 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
64%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
211 mm
17 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
305 mm
20 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
320 mm
22 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
391 mm
24 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
249 mm
18 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
124 mm
12 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
56 mm
7 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
20 mm
5 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, Nov, Dec
Xam Neua's best window, the coolest stretch of the dry season. January, November, and December are historically the most comfortable months in this remote northeastern town.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct
This tier spans February through May, plus September and October. The sky stays fairly cloudy even in the dry season here, and nights can turn cool even at this relatively low elevation.
☔
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.
Good to know
🏔️
A remote northeastern mountain town
Xam Neua sits at 970 meters in Houaphanh Province, one of the more remote and less-visited parts of Laos.
☁️
Cloud cover is common even in the dry season
The far north sees frequent cloudy skies even during the driest months, with occasional drizzle in winter.
❄️
Snow has fallen in the surrounding highlands
In January 2016, snow fell above 900 meters in the northern provinces, an unusual event for the region.
🕳️
Gateway to the Vieng Xai Caves
These historic caves, used as a wartime base during the Indochina conflicts, sit a short drive from Xam Neua.
🌧️
August brings the heaviest rain
Xam Neua's monsoon peaks in August, historically averaging around 391mm, among the wetter parts of northern Laos.
Top attractions
1
Vieng Xai Caves
A network of caves used as a hidden wartime base during the Indochina conflicts, now open for guided tours.
2
Xam Neua Market
A lively local market showcasing produce and goods from the surrounding Houaphanh highlands.
3
Nam Xam National Protected Area
A forested reserve near Xam Neua, home to diverse wildlife and trekking routes through the highlands.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Xam Neua?›
Xam Neua's monsoon season historically runs from May through September, with August the wettest month, averaging around 391mm of rain.
What is the best time of year to visit Xam Neua?›
November through February is historically the coolest part of the dry season and the best time for a visit, though skies can stay cloudy even then.
What is the least favorable time to visit Xam Neua?›
June through August is historically the wettest stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Xam Neua?›
August is historically the wettest month, averaging around 391mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Xam Neua?›
December is historically the driest month, averaging around 20mm of rain.
How hot does Xam Neua get?›
June is historically the warmest month on average, though this mountain town stays cooler year-round than the Laos lowlands.
Does it snow in Xam Neua?›
Rarely, but not unheard of: in January 2016, snow fell above 900 meters in the surrounding northern provinces.
What should I pack for Xam Neua?›
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.
Are the Vieng Xai Caves near Xam Neua?›
Yes. These historic caves, used as a wartime base during the Indochina conflicts, sit a short drive from town.
Is Xam Neua cloudy year-round?›
It can be. The far north of Laos sees frequent cloud cover even during the dry season, more so than the rest of the country.