What December feels like in Kathmandu
For Kathmandu, December is early winter on the calendar. Days are on the cool side, the kind of weather that suits brisk sightseeing. After dark the temperature drops clearly: nights are cool. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Kathmandu in December
Dry weather dominates, and an umbrella can mostly stay packed. Each rainy day adds about 5 mm (0.2 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 15.1 mm per rainy day. December is Kathmandu's driest month of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in December
Mid-month, Kathmandu gets 10 h 24 min of daylight, from sunrise near 6:47 am to sunset near 5:11 pm. Days are getting shorter: 24 min less daylight than in mid-November. About 91% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are mostly clear.
How December compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, December comes out as the 2nd coolest month in Kathmandu. Afternoons run 2.7°C (4.9°F) cooler than in November, with 3 mm less rain. The cooling trend carries on into January. The next month's average high: 16.7°C (62.1°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — comfortable for long walks and picnics.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
Tips for visiting Kathmandu in December
Versatile Layers
Mornings and evenings are cooler than midday, so dress in layers.
Light Jacket
Cool days — a light jacket or sweater for walking around.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Kathmandu in December?
Afternoons average 17.7°C (63.9°F) and nights about 7.9°C (46.2°F) — cool by most people's standards. It is the 2nd coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Kathmandu in December?
No — December is one of the drier times, with about 2 rainy days and 10 mm in total.
What should I wear in Kathmandu in December?
The numbers point to versatile layers, a light jacket and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is December or January better for visiting Kathmandu?
December, narrowly: it ranks #2 of 12 among Kathmandu's months, against #3 for the other. January is cooler and has more rainy days.