Nepal Kathmandu Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Kathmandu is good
December is good for Kathmandu.
December brings dry, sunny winter days with mild afternoons around 20°C, but cold nights near 3°C and morning fog that can delay flights. Rain is minimal (about 10mm) and midday skies are often a bright, clear blue.
The honest downside is the return of winter air pollution: as the dry season deepens, valley inversions trap dust and smoke, and AQI worsens through December into the new year, especially on still mornings. Bring an N95-type mask and check the live AQI.
Travel score
Kathmandu December Weather Stats
Avg High
20°C
Avg Low
3°C
Rainy Days
1
10mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
68%
dry
UV Index
4
Moderate
Wind
5 km/h
Gusts 13
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
60 μg/m³
PM10
105 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
19°C
Nighttime
1°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
5 km/h
Max gust 13 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dry, sunny days + clear midday skies
- Good mountain visibility on clear afternoons
- Quieter and better value than the peak
- Yomari Punhi Newari festival
Cons
- Worsening winter air pollution
- Cold nights near freezing + morning fog
- Fog can delay morning mountain flights
- Cold budget rooms (little heating)
December Events & Festivals
- Dry, sunny days but cold nights + morning fog
- Winter air pollution returning (valley inversions)
- Yomari Punhi (Dec) — Newari festival of the sweet yomari dumpling
- Quieter, cheaper than the autumn peak
Kathmandu in December — Full Picture
December brings dry, sunny winter days with mild afternoons around 20°C, but cold nights near 3°C and morning fog that can delay flights. Rain is minimal (about 10mm) and midday skies are often a bright, clear blue.
The honest downside is the return of winter air pollution: as the dry season deepens, valley inversions trap dust and smoke, and AQI worsens through December into the new year, especially on still mornings. Bring an N95-type mask and check the live AQI.
With the autumn peak over, crowds thin and prices ease to moderate — a good-value time to visit if you don't mind cold nights and the pollution. Mountain visibility on clear days is still excellent, though morning fog can interfere with early mountain flights.
A charming seasonal event is Yomari Punhi, the Newari festival celebrating the sweet steamed yomari dumpling, around the December full moon. Pack layers for the big day-night swing, and expect chilly budget rooms, as heating is rare — request extra blankets or a heated room.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold, dry, sunny winter. Mild afternoons around 20°C, cold nights near 3°C with morning fog. A warm jacket and fleece for mornings and evenings, lighter layers for sunny midday. Bring an N95-type mask — winter air quality declines through the month.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
27.3°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)
Current20°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 December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Kathmandu?
Kathmandu in December is good. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Kathmandu in December?
Kathmandu December averages a high of 20°C and a low of 3°C.
Does it rain much in Kathmandu in December?
Kathmandu December averages 10mm of rainfall over about 1 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kathmandu in December?
Cold, dry, sunny winter. Mild afternoons around 20°C, cold nights near 3°C with morning fog. A warm jacket and fleece for mornings and evenings, lighter layers for sunny midday. Bring an N95-type mask — winter air quality declines through the month.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kathmandu in December?
Kathmandu December sunrise is 06:40 and sunset is 17:10, with 10h 30min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kathmandu in December?
Kathmandu December air quality (AQI) averages 85, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 60μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kathmandu in December?
In December, Kathmandu is great for Sightseeing on clear afternoons, Yomari Punhi festival, Mountain flight (clear, fog-free mornings).
Is December peak season in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu December crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Kathmandu
View Other Months
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.