Myanmar (Burma) Climate

Climate of Myanmar (Burma)

Myanmar lies in a tropical monsoon climate zone for most of its area. The south of the country, including the west coast, the Arakan Mountains and the Shan region have an eminently maritime, humid variety, while the northern extremities are under the influence of a subtropical climate, also of the monsoon variety.

The average annual temperature in the south of the country reaches 32°C. In lowland areas in the center of the country, it is slightly lower at 25°C - 27°C. The highest-lying areas, especially the mountainous regions in the north (near the border with China) are characterized by a cool climate, where the average annual temperature does not exceed 10°C. In the highest parts of Hengduan Shan, frosts are among the frequent occurrences, which are not only in winter, but also in summer. The area is covered with snow all year round, where the perpetual snow limit is at 4,000 meters above sea level.

The country has a dry season and a rainy season, which are closely dependent on monsoon winds.

The rainy season lasts from May to September, bringing rainfall to most areas of Myanmar. The most abundant rainfall occurs in the coastal region, in the south of the country, where it reaches 5,000 mm per year. The mountainous areas and the Irrawaddy River delta are also very wet areas, with rains oscillating between 1,000 mm and 2,500 mm per year. The driest area is the Irrawaddy Plain, where rainfall is about 800 mm.

Two periods can be distinguished in the dry season: a cool period from October to February, when it is warm and sunny, but not very hot, and a hot period falling in March and April.