Nepal Kathmandu Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Kathmandu is good
January is good for Kathmandu.
January is Kathmandu's coldest month, but the days are dry, sunny, and pleasant for sightseeing — afternoons reach about 19°C, while nights drop close to 2°C with morning fog. Rainfall is minimal (around 15mm).
The big honest caveat is air quality: January sits in the dry winter when valley inversions trap dust, traffic fumes, and smoke, often pushing AQI into the unhealthy range on still mornings. Bring an N95-type mask, limit strenuous outdoor exercise on bad-air days, and check a live AQI app.
Travel score
Kathmandu January Weather Stats
Avg High
19°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
2
15mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
70%
dry
UV Index
5
Moderate
Wind
6 km/h
Gusts 14
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
70 μg/m³
PM10
120 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
18°C
Nighttime
0°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
6 km/h
Max gust 14 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dry, sunny days — minimal rain
- Good mountain-flight visibility on clear mornings
- Moderate crowds and prices
- Crisp blue skies after the fog lifts
Cons
- Worst winter air pollution (valley inversions)
- Cold nights near freezing + morning fog
- Budget rooms are cold (little heating)
- Hazy mornings can delay mountain flights
January Events & Festivals
- Clear, dry winter days — good for sightseeing
- Cold nights near freezing + morning fog
- Winter air pollution at its worst (valley inversions)
- Maghe Sankranti (mid-January) — Hindu festival
Kathmandu in January — Full Picture
January is Kathmandu's coldest month, but the days are dry, sunny, and pleasant for sightseeing — afternoons reach about 19°C, while nights drop close to 2°C with morning fog. Rainfall is minimal (around 15mm).
The big honest caveat is air quality: January sits in the dry winter when valley inversions trap dust, traffic fumes, and smoke, often pushing AQI into the unhealthy range on still mornings. Bring an N95-type mask, limit strenuous outdoor exercise on bad-air days, and check a live AQI app.
Mornings can start foggy and cold, clearing to bright blue skies by midday — ideal for the Durbar Squares, stupas, and a mountain flight when visibility cooperates. Pack layers: a warm jacket for the chilly start and end of the day, lighter clothes for the sun.
Crowds and prices are moderate — it's outside the main October-November rush but still a decent time to visit if you don't mind the cold nights and the pollution. Budget guesthouses can be chilly, as heating is rare; ask for extra blankets or a heated room.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Coldest month, but sunny and dry by day. Mild afternoons around 19°C with cold nights near 2°C and morning fog. Layer up: a warm jacket and fleece for mornings and evenings, lighter clothes for sunny midday. Bring an N95-type mask — January air quality is often poor in the valley.
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 January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Kathmandu?
Kathmandu in January is good. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Kathmandu in January?
Kathmandu January averages a high of 19°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in Kathmandu in January?
Kathmandu January averages 15mm of rainfall over about 2 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kathmandu in January?
Coldest month, but sunny and dry by day. Mild afternoons around 19°C with cold nights near 2°C and morning fog. Layer up: a warm jacket and fleece for mornings and evenings, lighter clothes for sunny midday. Bring an N95-type mask — January air quality is often poor in the valley.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kathmandu in January?
Kathmandu January sunrise is 06:50 and sunset is 17:25, with 10h 35min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kathmandu in January?
Kathmandu January air quality (AQI) averages 95, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 70μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kathmandu in January?
In January, Kathmandu is great for Durbar Squares + stupas on clear afternoons, Everest mountain flight (clear mornings), Bhaktapur old city.
Is January peak season in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu January 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.