The Climate in Lao People's Democratic Republic

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate. The rainy season runs from May to October when high humidity can also be expected. The wet season is characterized by a downpour for a few hours a day rather than all day torrential rain. The country’s wet season tends to hit Phongsali a little early due to it catching a bit rain from southern China, while Hua Phan and Xieng Khuang tend to get a little early rain from Vietnam. Rainfall also varies regionally with the highest amounts at 3,700 millimeters annually. Rainfall is not always adequate for rice cultivation, however, and the relatively high average precipitation conceals years where rainfall may be only half or less of the norm, causing significant declines in rice yields.

The country’s dry season has two distinct sub-sections, the cool dry season and the hot dry season. The cool dry season is one of the most popular times to visit Laos. Temperatures are relatively low and the air is cleaner. It is the season that runs from November to February. The hot dry season runs from March to April. During the hot season, the smoke factor is unbearable due to the farmers that set fire to rice stubble and degraded (and not-so degraded) forest to improve soil fertility in preparation for a new rice crop. Taking picture in the fields is irritating to the eyes due the layer of smoke throughout the country.