Weather by month for Ulaanbaatar, the best months to go and how Mongolia's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
May, Jun, Aug, Sep
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 16°C to 22°C · 7–12 rain days
Apr, Jul
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 10°C to 25°C · 5–13 rain days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
No months with tough weather, but these are only average.
Highs -13°C to 7°C · 1–4 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -13°C / -24°C | 1 day (2 mm) | 8.0 h/day | 5.1/10 |
| February | -8°C / -21°C | 1 day (3 mm) | 9.4 h/day | 5.0/10 |
| March | 2°C / -10°C | 3 days (9 mm) | 10.7 h/day | 4.9/10 |
| April | 10°C / -3°C | 5 days (18 mm) | 11.2 h/day | 6.1/10 |
| Best month: May | 16°C / 3°C | 7 days (27 mm) | 12.0 h/day | 8.1/10 |
| Best month: June | 22°C / 10°C | 10 days (53 mm) | 12.1 h/day | 8.0/10 |
| July | 25°C / 13°C | 13 days (87 mm) | 11.2 h/day | 7.2/10 |
| Best month: August | 22°C / 11°C | 12 days (88 mm) | 11.1 h/day | 7.8/10 |
| Best month: September | 16°C / 4°C | 8 days (41 mm) | 9.8 h/day | 8.0/10 |
| October | 7°C / -4°C | 4 days (13 mm) | 9.0 h/day | 5.2/10 |
| November | -4°C / -14°C | 3 days (10 mm) | 7.8 h/day | 4.8/10 |
| December | -12°C / -22°C | 1 day (3 mm) | 7.4 h/day | 4.9/10 |
Figures for Ulaanbaatar; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
-13°C / -24°C · 1 rain days · 8.0 h sun
Ulaanbaatar is brutally cold in January, with highs near -13°C and lows around -24°C. There is almost no rain, just 0.8 rain days, and 8 hours of sun keep skies bright despite the cold. The score sits at 5.1, an "ok" month best suited to travellers who want deep winter and don't mind the chill. New Year's Day falls on 1 January.
-8°C / -21°C · 1 rain days · 9.4 h sun
February stays firmly in winter, with highs around -8°C and lows near -21°C. Rain is almost nonexistent at 1 rain day, and sun hours rise slightly to 9.4. The score is 5, an "ok" month for those comfortable with sub-zero temperatures and clear, dry air.
2°C / -10°C · 3 rain days · 10.7 h sun
March brings a thaw, with highs climbing to 2°C and lows at -10°C, though nights still freeze. Rain days rise to 2.7 but totals are light at 9mm. The score of 4.9 keeps it "ok": temperatures are unstable as winter loosens its grip. International Women's Day falls on 8 March.
10°C / -3°C · 5 rain days · 11.2 h sun
Spring arrives properly in April, with highs of 9.5°C and lows around -3°C. Rain stays light at 4.7 days and 18mm, while sun hours hit 11.2. The score rises to 6.1, a "good" month as the landscape starts to green and winds can still be strong.
16°C / 3°C · 7 rain days · 12.0 h sun
May is warm and pleasant, with highs of 16.4°C and lows of 3°C. Rain picks up to 6.5 days and 27mm, but sun hours reach a full 12. The score of 8.1 makes this a "best" month, combining mild weather with fewer crowds than summer.
22°C / 10°C · 10 rain days · 12.1 h sun
June highs reach 22.3°C with lows of 10°C, giving comfortable travelling weather. Rain increases to 10.4 days and 53mm, the start of the wetter summer season. The score of 8 keeps June a "best" month. A Naadam Holiday is marked on 1 June ahead of the main festival.
25°C / 13°C · 13 rain days · 11.2 h sun
July is the warmest month, with highs of 24.5°C and lows of 13.3°C. It is also the wettest, with 13.2 rain days and 87mm of rain, so showers are common. The score of 7.2 is still "good", and the Naadam Holiday runs from 11 to 15 July, Mongolia's biggest festival period.
22°C / 11°C · 12 rain days · 11.1 h sun
August stays warm with highs of 21.6°C and lows of 10.7°C. Rain is similar to July, with 12 rain days and 88mm, the highest monthly total. The score of 7.8 keeps August a "best" month, with grasslands at their greenest despite the frequent rain.
16°C / 4°C · 8 rain days · 9.8 h sun
September cools to highs of 16.2°C and lows of 4.3°C, with rain easing to 8.3 days and 41mm. Sun hours drop slightly to 9.8. The score of 8 makes it a "best" month, offering clearer skies and autumn colours as summer crowds thin out.
7°C / -4°C · 4 rain days · 9.0 h sun
October turns cold fast, with highs of 6.6°C and lows near -4°C. Rain drops to 3.9 days and just 13mm. The score of 5.2 is "ok": days can still be pleasant but nights already feel like winter.
-4°C / -14°C · 3 rain days · 7.8 h sun
November highs fall to -4.4°C and lows to -14.4°C as winter sets in firmly. Rain is minimal, 2.8 days and 10mm, with sun hours dropping to 7.8. The score of 4.8 is "ok", suiting travellers wanting early snow and empty landscapes. Republic Day is marked on 26 November.
-12°C / -22°C · 1 rain days · 7.4 h sun
December is deep winter, with highs of -11.9°C and lows of -21.5°C. Rain is almost absent at 0.9 days, and sun hours drop to 7.4, the year's lowest. The score of 4.9 stays "ok", a month for those seeking stark cold and quiet steppe. Independence Day falls on 29 December.
Regional differences
Average daytime high each month, coloured by that city's own month score.
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulaanbaatar | -13°C | -8°C | 2°C | 10°C | 16°C | 22°C | 25°C | 22°C | 16°C | 7°C | -4°C | -12°C |
| Mörön | -13°C | -7°C | 3°C | 11°C | 17°C | 23°C | 24°C | 22°C | 16°C | 7°C | -4°C | -11°C |
| Ölgii | -11°C | -6°C | 2°C | 9°C | 16°C | 22°C | 23°C | 21°C | 15°C | 5°C | -4°C | -12°C |
| Tsetserleg | -8°C | -5°C | 3°C | 9°C | 15°C | 21°C | 22°C | 21°C | 16°C | 7°C | -2°C | -7°C |
| Dalanzadgad | -7°C | -2°C | 7°C | 15°C | 21°C | 26°C | 28°C | 27°C | 21°C | 12°C | 2°C | -6°C |
Best Good OK Tough weather
By trip type
City sightseeing
May, June, August and September bring highs of 16–22°C in Ulaanbaatar, with fewer rain days than peak summer. June and August still see 10–12 rain days, but temperatures stay mild and sunshine runs 11–12 hours a day, good for walking the city.
Hiking & nature
May, June, August and September are best for hiking. May and September offer cooler highs of 16°C with fewer rain days (6.5 and 8.3), while June and August are warmer (21–22°C) but wetter, with 10–12 rain days and up to 88mm of rain in August.
Events calendar
Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 Jan)
Public holidays: International Women's Day (8 Mar)
Public holidays: Naadam Holiday (1 Jun)
Public holidays: Naadam Holiday (11 Jul), Naadam Holiday (12 Jul), Naadam Holiday (13 Jul), Naadam Holiday (14 Jul), Naadam Holiday (15 Jul)
Public holidays: Republic Day (26 Nov)
Public holidays: Independence Day (29 Dec)
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes, August is one of the best months, scoring 7.8 out of 10. Daytime highs reach 21.6°C and lows stay near 10.7°C, so it's warm without summer's worst heat. It's also one of the wetter months, with 88mm of rain over 12 rain days, so pack for showers.
July is good but not the top pick, scoring 7.2. It's the warmest month, with highs of 24.5°C, but also the wettest, with 87mm of rain across 13.2 rain days. If you want the warmest weather and don't mind rain, July works well.
January is only an ok month, scoring 5.1. Highs average -12.6°C and lows drop to -24.2°C, making it one of the coldest months. Rain is almost nonexistent, just 2mm over 0.8 days, and sun hours are low at 8 per day, so this month suits travellers after winter conditions rather than mild weather.
Yes, May is rated the best month overall, scoring 8.1. Highs reach 16.4°C and lows stay above freezing at 2.8°C, giving mild spring weather. Rain is still light, with 27mm over 6.5 days, and sun hours climb to 12 per day, among the highest of the year.
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