Mongolia Weather

The weather in Mongolia is dominated by winters that continue longer than the summers. So, you have to either visit in short summer months that last from July to September. November till late April will make you shiver to your bones. January is the coldest month. May to June is springtime and there is tourist rush at this time. Mongolia is a harsh subarctic region. It has 250 sunny days. Mostly blue-sky, rain is scanty 378mm (14.9in) on an average. Dry months are between January and February. From April and May, there are bouts of showers, but stronger showers are received in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar 161mm (6.3in) between July to August.

 See also Ulaanbaatar Weather
 The best time to visit Mongolia is July and August, when the Nadam Festival takes place, bringing with it the peak season for Mongolian tourism. In fact, the period from May to October is a good time to plan a trip to Mongolia. Temperatures are relatively high during the day, and there are many activities for visitors to enjoy at daytime.
 

 When the days start growing longer and the nights shorten, you know that spring has come to Mongolia after a long winter. Beginning from mid-March to early May, spring here lasts for 60 days. Spring has its difficulties, as harsh dust storms in the south and central region leave people huddling in their shelters, closing doors and windows. Sometimes their yurts are carried away by the strong winds for miles together.

Clothes to wear in Mongolia in the spring

Wear layers of warm clothes to brave the Mongolian weather. Long-sleeve T-shirts protecting arms and legs and Mongolian woolen hats can be tried out. For horse or camel riding trips, wear gloves and scarves. You can wear thermal undergarments that keep you warm.

The spring temperature in Ulaanbaatar:

Month	Temperature (Max/Min)	Sundial Span	Rains/Precipitation
March	-2 °C (28 °F)/-15 °C (5°F)	12.5 hours	Nil
April	+8 °C (46 °F)/-6 °C (21°F)	14.2 hours	2days/10mm
May	+17 °C (62 °F)/+3 °C (37 °F)	15.8 hours	7 days/20mm

★ Travel tip: Carry sunglasses, jackets and don’t forget to cover your nose.

★ Things to do: Visiting nomad herders and watching the Takhi wild horse grazing at Khustai Mountains Camp. Watching migratory birds flocking the lakes Khovsgol region. Visiting National Museum of Mongolia to learn about Mongolia culture through historical and ethnographical objects.

 If you are in Mongolia at this time you can be a part of the following festivals:

Dates	Festival
28 February-10 March	Great winter festival
1st March -4th March	Celebration of the ice on lake Hovsgol (Hovsgol)
March 5th	Festival of the eagles in the National Park Hustai
5th March - 9th March	Festival of a thousand camels in Dalanzadgad administrative center of South Gobi aimag

See also about 5 Best Traditional Mongolia Festivals

Summer months from June to August are the best in Mongolia and you will have a memorable trip if you travel during this time of the year. As the warmest months in Mongolia, this can be considered the best time to visit for travelers. The rains are frequent at this time so carry umbrellas and raincoats. The rivers swell up and the lakes also look full, fed with fresh showers after the long, dry frosty spring. But if the rains are less, the rivers look shallow. However, summer is welcomed in all its beauty and if you plan your visit at this time you will see the blue skies, green pastures and horses grazing lazily under the warm sun.

 Summer temperature in Ulaanbaatar:

Month	Temperature (Max/Min)	Sundial Span	Rains/Precipitation
June	+22 °C (72 °F)/ +8 °C (46°F)	16.6 hours	11 days/ 60mm
July	+23 °C (73 °F)/+11 °C (52 °F)	16.2 hours	14days/70mm
August	+21.5 °C (71 °F)/+9 °C (48 °F)	14.8 hours	13 days/80mm

Clothes could include jeans, light capris, casual tops, and short sleeve shirts in the day time and visitors can wear long sleeve shirts, sweatshirt or fleece, pairs of socks, rainproof jackets, and bathing suits for nights to help you enjoy the Mongolian weather. Shoes could include sports shoes and flipflops.
  

Wear long sleeves as it goes well with the Mongolian weather and tradition. Medium weight clothes would do. Western suits with a light coat will come handy. Wear sports shoes and keep a flip flop with you.

★ Note: You can carry compact binoculars for bird watching. Charging points may not always be available outside Ulaanbaatar, so be ready to get disconnected.

★ Places to visit:
Mid-autumn is the perfect time to visit the Gobi Desert and to visit the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery, Kharkhorin-Erdenezuu. Also, don’t miss the capital Ulaanbaatar city and hunting with golden eagles in western Mongolia.

 Festivals to lookout for:

Dates	Festival
September 17 -18	Festival of Nomads
October 3-5	Golden Eagle Festival
November 26	Independence Day of Mongolia
August 22	Festival celebrating the "the Legacy of Genghis Khan", National Park Terelj

  

Since winters are extremely cold, wear heavy and warm clothes. Don’t forget to carry overcoats and thick woolen pullovers to face the Mongolian weather. Also carry hat, gloves and boot to tread on the thin and thick ice.

★ Tip: Even though Ger camps provide towels, carry your toiletries.

★ Things to do:
The Ice Festival is a star attraction of North Mongolia in the winters on the Khovsgol Lake and Dog Sled adventures over the frozen lakes of Khuvsgul Lake are unmissable. Visitors can also spot snow leopards in the Gobi Alta region.

 Festival dates in winter:

Dates	Festival
December 25	Christmas Day
January 1	New Year
January 13	The Constitution Day
February 19	The White Month