Written by: Estella Shrestha - 2023013, Grade IX
Posted on: 03 February, 2021
Nepal experiences different types of climate. The location of Nepal is in the tropical zone between 26°22’N to 30°27’N. The main factors affecting the climate of Nepal are latitude, altitude, distance from the sea, the presence of mountains, and the directions of the wind. Nepal’s climate is considered a tropical monsoon, the same as the climate of south and south-east Asia. The latitudinal extension of Nepal is only 4°. The presence of mountain ranges acts as a barrier to the cold wind which blows from the North, keeping most parts of Nepal warm, while the southern slope of the mountain range traps the monsoon wind blowing from the Bay of Bengal which brings rainfall to Nepal.
The 3 geographic regions of Nepal have distinct climatic features according to their attitudinal positions. Nepal’s climate conditions can be divided into two conditions.
Summer Condition: The summer condition in Nepal lasts almost six months which is from Chaitra to Bhadra. There is no rainfall during the first three months. Its general climatic condition is dry and hot with an average temperature ranging from 30℃ to 35℃ in the Terai region, 20℃ to 25℃ in the hilly region, and 0℃ to 10℃ in the mountain region of Nepal. Eastern parts of Nepal receive more rainfall and it decreases as it moves further west. The northern slopes of the Himalayas receive comparatively less or no rainfall than the southern slopes because of their location in the rain shadow zone.
Winter Condition: The winter condition in Nepal lasts roughly for six months which is from Aswin to Falgun. Its general climate during this time of the year is cold and dry. During this period, high pressure is created in the interior parts of Asia causing dry air to blow outward. This outward blowing wind is usually cold and dry but absorbs a little amount of moisture from the Mediterranean and Caspian sea bringing a little amount of occasional rainfall in the western part of Nepal. The Terai region in the south has an average winter temperature ranging from 10℃ to 18℃, the hilly region has 0℃ to 5℃ and the mountain region has below 0℃. Snowfall is common in high altitude areas and the Himalayan region.
