The warmest and the best time to travel to Mongolia is between 15 May and 15 September.
Mongolia is a unique country, climatically, culturally, and the grandeur of pristine nature. It has four distinctive seasons; all seasons have specific features, colors, and activities to offer almost all types of travelers. Getting to know about the vast open country’s climate, which fluctuates dramatically depending on the season, varied geography, altitude, daytime, and nights could help you plan your perfect holiday, whether you are a leisure traveler or an adventure seeker. Also, you will find out when is the best time to travel to Mongolia except for getting to know the best things to do during specific months and seasons.
Mongolia Spring: 15 February to 30 April
Spring is the time for the nomads to welcome newborn baby animals. We recommend you to travel to Mongolia in spring for a stay with nomads if you are a curious traveler, who likes adventures, and are interested in culture while enjoying scenic places, attractions, and the vastness of Mongolia. Mongolian spring weather fluctuates somehow; it is windy, occasionally stormy, particularly in the Gobi desert. Spring is an off-tourist season. The seasonal accommodation ger camps close 5 October through 1 May, which will allow you to experience authentic Mongolia and communicate with the locals. As well as, the spring tour price is lower compared to summer.
Mongolia weather in February
The spring starts in February, but there are still signs of winter with random snowfalls and chill wind until mid-March. Mongolians celebrate the famous winter holiday Tsagaan Sar at the end of January or February. It depends on the lunar calendar. February temperature ranges -15°C to -3°C daytime and -23°C to -8°C at nights between 15 February and 28 February.
Mongolia weather in March
March is a month of the winter festivals and events; Ice Festival at Khuvsgul Lake, Eagle Festival near Ulaanbaatar, and Thousand Camel Festival near Bulgan town of Umnugobi province. The temperatures in March are -8°C to +15°C daytime and -15°C to +5°C at nights.
Mongolia weather in April
The average temperature in April alters between -2°C to +22°C daytime and -8°C to +15°C at night.
Mongolia Summer: 1 May to 31 July
Mongolia weather in May
Pleasant weather starts in May, the temperature averaging +8°C to +28°C daytime and 0°C to +16°C at night. However, May can surprise you with occasional snowfalls, and the spring chill lasts until the 20th, particularly when you travel north, west, and central Mongolia.
Mongolia weather in June
June is one of the best months to travel to Mongolia in terms of weather; pleasant and dry without a crowd of travelers. The temperature could cool down at night, ranging from +8°C to +20°C, and much warmer daytime between +15°C and +33°C. The landscape turns greener. It is less windy and less rainy.
Mongolia weather in July
1 July through 10 August is the warmest through all Mongolian regions and hottest in the Gobi Desert. Alternatively, it can be wet and cool. The rain in Mongolia is a shower or drizzle rain that lasts some minutes to a few hours most of the time. Average day temperature is +25°C to +38°C and night temperature is +10°C to +18° C. July is a high tourism month due to the weather and Mongolian national holiday Naadam Festival. The official Naadam Festival day is on 11 and 13 July, although the towns, cities, provinces, and villages celebrate their Naadam festival on different days in the first half of July. We have the best group and private Ulaanbaatar Naadam Festival and Local Naadam Festival tours.
On top of the Naadam Festival, the Orkhon Valley Yak Festival and Reindeer Festival at Khovsgol Lake are worth attending.
Mongolia Autumn: 1 August to 31 October
Mongolian weather in August
August is still the high tourist season with pleasant weather and stunning colorful landscapes. The temperature remains warm, ranging from +25°C to +38°C during daytime and +8°C to +20°C at nights until mid-August. The daytime temperature cools down +7°C to +22°C in the last half of August. August and September are good months to explore and experience nomad life. The cooler weather will make your nomad homestay pleasant with a bit of fire if required. With the nomads, you will have authentic experiences, learn about centries old, still existing culture, and try traditional Mongolian meals. If you wish, you can volunteer their animal-related chores and winter preparation.
Mongolian weather in September
September is enjoyable, colorful, not hot, and not too cold. Night temperatures start dropping below 0°C. It sometimes snows in the higher elevated area. Due to the relatively high altitude of Mongolia, you could see four seasons within a day. You may start a day in a T-shirt and shorts. Then wear your windproof warm clothes to stay warm in the wind and snow on the same day. In autumn, nomads’ animals are fat and graze peacefully. Nomads have plenty of dairy products and are busy processing milk and preparing for the winter makes your visit to the nomad families more interesting. Attractive Golden Eagle Festival takes place in Western Mongolia two times in September and October. We advise you the attend the September Eagle Festival as it is less packed by tourists, costs less, and the weather will be milder. In September, you will have more chances to communicate with the Eagle Hunters and take good pictures. September average daylight temperature is +5°C to +25°C and -5°C to +12°C at nights. Concerning weather and scenery, we suggest you travel to Mongolia in September.
Mongolian weather in October
October is the low season and the end of the autumn. The temperature in October lowers much; -4°C to +12°C daytime and -8°C to +5°C at night. The seasonal accommodation ger camps do not operate from 5 October through 1 May, which allows you to have more local experiences and interact with the locals. As well as, the tour price is low compared to summer. You can check our low season and winter tours.
Mongolia Winter: 1 November to 15 February
Mongolian winter is known as harsh and cold, but dry climate helps feel not extreme cold at Mongolian – 35° C. The winter is beautiful with its shiny white snow covers. Even Mongolia winter is getting warmer due to climate change. Of course, this not good news, but obviously better not to feel the -39° C while traveling.
Mongolian winter is known as harsh, freezing, and snowy. Although, the dry climate helps you feel less cold when traveling at its – 25°C. Winter is a lovely time to visit Mongolia, driving through the emptiness of the snowy steppes, visiting the local families, challenging yourself with outdoor activities, hunting with the eagles, and witnessing the worlds' second coldest desert.
Mongolian weather in November
The weather is relatively mild in the first half of November, with agreeable winter temperatures of -10°C to -17°C daytime. The temperature continuously drops after 15 November, lowering -18°C to -25°C during the sunlight and -22°C to -32°C at nights. The snowfall usually starts in mid-November. Daylight is short between 7:30 am to 6 pm.
Mongolian weather in December and January
January is the coldest, December is the second cold month in Mongolia but no worries. There is more chance of snow cover over the land, which adds beauty. The snow-covered land makes more warm feeling than the snowless area. And it is true because of the sunlight reflection on the snow. Mongolia is unique in winter with the glittering landscapes, fresh air, frozen rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and the nomadic herders deal with the cold, neglecting their comfort for their pasture animal survival. We suggest you not travel to too isolated areas in winter to prevent lack of emergency in case snowstorm closes the road or phone reception. Few people travel to Mongolia in December and January. In winter, we will not promise you comfortable king-sized beds, WC, and shower in most accommodations in the countryside. Even though the tourist accommodation ger camps work in the national parks near Ulaanbaatar, those are more western-friendly. Of course, the tour price is lower than in summer. We offer carefully developed, activities and authentic experiences packed winter tours. The comfort and enjoyment of our clients have always been our priority. Wherever you go, our staff and hosts will do their best to make sure you will stay warm and enjoy your winter activities. Do you need some warm clothes? You can borrow our traditional cloth deel free of charge. Deel has always been the most suitable cloth for the Mongolian climate.