Lhasa Weather in August

Weather of Lhasa in August is favorable for traveling: during the daytime, it is usually sunny and warm. Showers usually fall during the nighttime and the temperature drops to a cool or a little cold level, when you have finished one day’s visit.

Night View of Potala Palace in August

It is believed that the scenery of Lhasa in August is the most beautiful throughout the year. Also, the lively Shoton Festival usually falls in August, when visitors can fully enjoy the local culture. 

The not very favorable news is that this is the peak tourist season in Lhasa, so the attractions tend to be crowded and the trip costs you a lot.

 See more about Tibet Weather in August.

In August, Lhasa is in the middle of the rainy season and receives the highest rainfall of the year. On average, there are 121 mm of precipitation and 20 rainy days. Then, is August still convenient and suitable for visiting Lhasa? The answer is yes: On the one hand, the rain usually falls at night, leaving the daytime of most days sunny with bright sunshine. On the other hand, the rain this month generally won’t last beyond 30 minutes, which means that even if you encounter rain during the daytime, you will likely see clear skies very soon after.

Lhasa during Rainy Moments

Sunny View after Showers

High rainfall brings high humidity at 66%. Even so, the air might feel a little dry, and drinking water frequently is necessary during your trip.
 

If you want to escape the heat of your place in August, a summer month, Lhasa will be a good choice. Because of the high altitude, the climate of Lhasa in August is mild and cozy. During the daytime, the highest temperature ranges mostly around 20-26 degrees Celsius (68-79 degrees Fahrenheit). Sometimes, after a nighttime shower, the daytime’s highest temperature is only 16-19°C (59-66°F), bringing you a cool feeling.

Pleasantly Warm Daytime

The temperature usually drops quickly after sunset: the daily low temperature is only 10-15°C (50-59°F). If you plan to start your daily trip early or stay outdoors late for night views, be sure to add clothes. 
 

Daylight hours are shortening this month in Lhasa, from 13.3 to 12.5 hours from the beginning to the end of the month. Though it is not short at all, you are not recommended to have a packed itinerary per day, to avoid symptoms such as headaches caused by altitude sickness as much as possible.

Sunshine hours are about 7 per day on average. The sunlight is very intense: typically, from 12:00 to 18:00 on sunny days, the UV index is above 10. You are recommended to always take the necessary physical sun protection measures during this period to avoid sunburn.
 

 For the Daytime: The daytime is usually warm with intense sunlight, so pay attention to sun protection at the same time as wearing cool enough clothes. Specifically, you can wear a T-shirt plus a sun-protection jacket for the upper. As for the bottom, instead of shorts or skirts, you are recommended to wear lightweight pants, as they will better protect your legs from sunburn. Then, in addition to applying sunscreen, you should also wear sunglasses, a sun hat, and a face mask for sun protection.

 For the Nighttime: A windbreaker or an outer shell of the 3-in-1 jacket plus a T-shirt are necessary to keep you warm. For the lower body, jeans or sweatpants are more suitable.

 For Places with even Higher Altitudes: If you plan to visit these places, you are recommended to bring a thin down jacket and long johns additionally. Or, a 3-in-1 jacket with a fleece inner layer is also enough.

 Shoes: Sneakers or hiking shoes.

 Others: An umbrella is necessary in August with some showers. You’d better pack moisturizing skincare products and lip balm to combat the somewhat dry air. If you have a sensitive nose, bring a nasal spray.
 Yes, and August is actually a quite good time to visit Lhasa.

1. The climate of Lhasa in August is pleasant. Days are very warm, while nights are cool. Although it is the rainy season, it rarely rains during the daytime. Humidity is at its highest of the year, and the air is only slightly dry.
2. The scenery is beautiful. This month, all parts of Lhasa are adorned with lush vegetation, whether at the Potala Palace, the Lalu Wetlands, or Norbulingka. Besides, nearby lakes, such as Namtso, have exceptionally clear and blue waters in August.
3. Unique festival experiences can be gained. Starting August 12, 2026, Lhasa will celebrate the Shoton Festival. The festivities will last for about a week and are very lively. During this time, you can:
(1) Visit Drepung Monastery to see the exhibition of giant thangkas unfolding on the hillside, a sacred and spectacular sight.
(2) Visit Norbulingka to watch a spectacular Tibetan opera performance by actors dressed in traditional Tibetan robes.
(3) Watch horse races.
(4) Sample Tibetan-style yogurt or yogurt ice cream made from yak milk.
(5) Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere by visiting parks such as Norbulingka and Tsongkhulung, where many locals dressed in traditional Tibetan attire sing, dance, and enjoy the festival.

Giant Thangka

However, these advantages, combined with the fact that August is summer holiday, mean that Lhasa tends to be very crowded with tourists at this time of year, especially in hot attractions like the Potala Palace. In this peak season, you will inevitably spend more.
 1. Book your trip in advance. Otherwise, during the peak travel season in August, you may not be able to secure reservations for popular attractions like the Potala Palace.
2. Compared with sites like Sera Monastery and Jokhang Temple, natural attractions such as Lake Namtso and Yamdrok Lake are more susceptible to weather conditions. On cloudy or rainy days, they may not look as beautiful as they do on sunny days. Therefore, if you plan to visit these places, it’s best to choose a sunny day.
3. Although weather conditions in August are favorable and the likelihood of altitude sickness is lower than at other times, you should not let your guard down. You are recommended to avoid taking a shower immediately upon arrival, but wait until you have acclimatized. Try to avoid showering late at night - Lhasa experiences frequent nighttime rain in August, and once it rains, the temperature will drop, making it easy to catch a cold. Additionally, drinking plenty of hot water and getting adequate sleep are of the utmost importance.
 

Aug	Temperature		Sunrise / Sunset	Humi- dity (%)
	High	Low
1	23.9°C / 75°F	12.7°C / 54.9°F	07:15 / 20:48	60
2	24°C / 75.2°F	11.8°C / 53.2°F	07:16 / 20:47	73
3	22.9°C / 73.2°F	12.1°C / 53.8°F	07:16 / 20:47	67
4	20.3°C / 68.5°F	11.3°C / 52.3°F	07:17 / 20:46	68
5	22.8°C / 73°F	10.3°C / 50.5°F	07:18 / 20:45	55
6	21.8°C / 71.2°F	13.4°C / 56.1°F	07:18 / 20:44	42
7	21.8°C / 71.2°F	11.8°C / 53.2°F	07:19 / 20:43	49
8	22°C / 71.6°F	10°C / 50°F	07:19 / 20:43	51
9	20.9°C / 69.6°F	9.8°C / 49.6°F	07:20 / 20:42	57
10	19.7°C / 67.5°F	8.8°C / 47.8°F	07:21 / 20:41	67
11	22.3°C / 72.1°F	10.9°C / 51.6°F	07:21 / 20:40	56
12	22.4°C / 72.3°F	11.2°C / 52.2°F	07:22 / 20:39	62
13	22.2°C / 72°F	11.5°C / 52.7°F	07:22 / 20:38	52
14	21.9°C / 71.4°F	9.2°C / 48.6°F	07:23 / 20:37	67
15	21.8°C / 71.2°F	10.9°C / 51.6°F	07:23 / 20:36	64
16	22°C / 71.6°F	10.7°C / 51.3°F	07:24 / 20:35	73
17	22.1°C / 71.8°F	10.7°C / 51.3°F	07:25 / 20:34	70
18	22.5°C / 72.5°F	11.1°C / 52°F	07:25 / 20:33	59
19	22.1°C / 71.8°F	11.9°C / 53.4°F	07:26 / 20:32	69
20	23.8°C / 74.8°F	11.4°C / 52.5°F	07:26 / 20:31	53
21	23.9°C / 75°F	11.3°C / 52.3°F	07:27 / 20:30	53
22	24.7°C / 76.5°F	11.2°C / 52.2°F	07:27 / 20:29	47
23	23.7°C / 74.7°F	11°C / 51.8°F	07:28 / 20:28	39
24	22.8°C / 73°F	11.8°C / 53.2°F	07:29 / 20:27	33
25	23.6°C / 74.5°F	9.4°C / 48.9°F	07:29 / 20:26	37
26	22.9°C / 73.2°F	8.8°C / 47.8°F	07:30 / 20:25	37
27	23.8°C / 74.8°F	8.9°C / 48°F	07:30 / 20:23	39
28	23.4°C / 74.1°F	10.2°C / 50.4°F	07:31 / 20:22	45
29	24.9°C / 76.8°F	12.1°C / 53.8°F	07:31 / 20:21	42
30	25.7°C / 78.3°F	11.2°C / 52.2°F	07:32 / 20:20	47
31	25.5°C / 77.9°F	12.7°C / 54.9°F	07:32 / 20:19	37