From November to January, there is a cool dry period. In the Mekong valley, temperatures can drop to around 15˚C. In the mountainous areas, daytime temperatures can fall to zero with frosts at night. Humidity is low at this time of the year and conditions for visitors are at their best.

From January the weather enters a hot dry season the builds to a climax of thunderstorms and high humidity around May. Temperature can top 35˚C during this period.

The weather from June to October is typically a consistent pattern of low clouds and rain often causing flooding along the Mekong River and some of its tributaries.

The average rainfall in the capital Vientiane is about 1,700 mm, although in the north of Laos and the highlands it is wetter, with more than 3,000 mm each year.

Laos’ landlocked location sheltered by mountains shields it from extreme forms of weather.