Tibet Climate and Weather Information
Defined as the "Third Pole of the world", Tibet boasts a unique climatic condition due to its exceptionally high altitude. Taking its capital city - Lhasa as an example, the daytime temperature will reach 28 degree Celsius in summer; while in winter it may drop down to -16 degree Celsius. The thinness of highland air makes solar UV radiation in the region a lot stronger than any parts of the world. Besides, the scarce air has less capacity to absorb and retain the heat in the daytime so that the temperature plummets considerably at night. The fluctuation of one day temperature can amount to 15-20 degree Celsius.
The period April - October is regarded as the best tourist season. Please try not to come in winter from December to February as it is freezingly cold and windy on the plateau.
Generally Tibet can be divided into 5 parts in terms of their own unique climatic features:
Northern Tibet
A famous pastoral area in Tibet with an average altitude of 4500meters above sea level, which includes Naqu, Ando, Shenzha, Bange and Dangxiong. The annual precipitation is around 320-460mm, mainly in June-September. Frequent hailstorms are the special feature of the area (the most in China, about 35 days a year).
The annual average temperature: -2.8 - 1.7 ℃
The summer average temperature: 1 -12 ℃ (High: 23.2 - 26.7 ℃)
The winter average temperature: -7 - -9℃ (low: -30℃ - -38 ℃)
The best time to come is in the summer from June to August, the tourists can visit Hoh Xil Nature Reserve and the highest salt lake in the world - Namtso.
Ali Region
Ali is one of the driest area in China with rare annual rainfall of 75 - 164 mm. The average lowest temperature is -0.1 - 3.2℃ (extreme:-44.6℃), and the highest is 9-22 ℃ (extreme: 27.6℃).
Southeastern Tibet
This region enjoys a mild climate with yearly rainfall 445-902mm (mainly from April to October). With an altitude of 2688meters above sea level, the region boasts the best vegetation coverage compared with other parts of Tibet, which made Linzhi a very pleasant place to visit.
The annual average temperature: 8 - 13 ℃
The summer average temperature: 12 -19 ℃ (extreme: 27 - 32 ℃)
Central Tibet
The region includes Lhasa, Shigatse Zedang and Changdo with an average altitude of 3600meter above sealevel. It is the major agricultural site of Tibet. With an annual precipitation of 300-544mm, the rainy season starts from June to September.
The annual average temperature: 5 - 9 ℃
The summer average temperature: 14 - 16 ℃ (extreme: 24 - 30 ℃)
The winter average temperature: -5 - -8℃ (extreme: -16℃ - -23 ℃)
There exists a dramatic temperature difference between daytime and midnight. Tourists need to keep warm in the evening. This region is the most popular tourist destination with lots of attractions like Potala, Jokhang Temple, Drepung, Sera and Tashilunpo Monastery.
Southern Tibet
Strategically located in the northern slope of Mt. Hamalaya and in the south of Tibet, it possesses a typical highland climate with an annual rainfall of 665.5mm. The yearly average temperature is around -0.3-5℃. In this area, the mountain climbers can take their pilgrimage tour to Mt. Everest - the highest mountain in the world.
According to the meteorological department of Tibet, in the near future, Tibet will experience a gradual growth in precipitation, temperature and atmosphere pressure, which means there will be more oxygen in the air.
Here below are the weather conditions of the major towns in Tibet:
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