Bhutan is at the same latitude as Miami and Cairo . The climate varies widely depending on the elevation. In the southern border areas it is tropical; at the other extreme, in the high Himalayan region, there is perpetual snow. Temperatures in the far south range from 15C in winter to 30C in summer. In Paro the range from -5C in January to 30C in July, with 800mm of rain. In the high mountain regions the average temperature is O C in winter and may reach 10 C in summer, with an average of 350mm of rain.
Only in the high Himalayan regions does the snow remain year-round-in the form of glaciers. Some snow falls in northern and central Bhutan but does not remain on the ground for long. As a general rule, snow melts immediately below 2400 m, stays a short while (longer in shaded areas) between 2400 and 3000m, and remains on the ground until early March above 3000m.
Rain occurs primarily during the southwest monsoon season from June to September. Bhutan bears the brunt of the monsoon, receiving more rainfall than other Himalayan region-up to 5.5m a year. Only Assam has recorded the highest rainfall in the world, averaging 9.5m annually with a record of 19.7m, the height of a six-storey building.
Precipitation varies significantly with the elevation. The average rainfall is:
- Himalayan regions - less than 500mm per year
- Inner central valleys - 500-1000mm per year
- Southern foothills - 200-2000mm per year
- Southern border area - 3000-5000mm per year
During the monsoon heavy rain falls almost every night; in the day three may be long periods without rain. Low clouds hang on the hills, obscuring views and, if they are too low, forcing the cancellation of flights at Paro airport.
Very little rainfalls during the autumn, from October through December, making this the ideal season for trekking season for trekking and mountain viewing.
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