Lhasa Weather in February

The weather of Lhasa in February is very sunny, with almost no precipitation. During the daytime, the sunshine is relatively intense, making the apparent temperature quite warm, but as soon as the sun sets, the temperature drops sharply to a cold level. The air is quite dry, and you will need to drink plenty of water and apply lip balm regularly to prevent your lips from cracking.

Except around the Tibetan New Year and Chinese New Year, Lhasa is generally quiet in February, making it the perfect time to slowly immerse yourself in the local life and culture.

 See more about Tibet Weather in February.

Daytime of Lhasa in February is actually suitable for traveling around: most of the time, it is not cold at all, but comfortable and mild. Firstly, the temperature during this time is usually around 7-15 degrees Celsius (45-59 degrees Fahrenheit). While the temperature may be below 5°C (41°F) sometimes, this situation is quite rare. In some years, the monthly high can even reach around 20°C (68°F). Secondly, the high altitude, thin air, and abundant sunshine combine to further raise the apparent temperature. At noon, in the sunshine, you won’t feel cold even without an outer jacket.

Mild Daytime of February

However, once the sun sets, the temperature drops sharply and quickly to around -5 to 0°C (23-32°F), making outdoor activities less than ideal. This month, the temperature difference between day and night is quite significant, at about 15°C (27°F).
 

On average, there is only 1 mm of precipitation in February of Lhasa, and it may fall in the form of either rain or snow. No matter snow or rain, it will be light, and the weather will clear up quickly. This indicates there are abundant sunny days this month in Lhasa, as mentioned above, providing visitors with warm sunlight and high visibility.

It’s important to note that the average humidity is 26%, particularly dry. Specifically, chapped lips, flaky skin, a dry mouth, and even slight bleeding from the nose are very common occurrences.

Potala Palace in Sunny February

Daylight hours are not very long, stretching from 10.5 to 11.3 this month. The sun rises at 05:23-08:46 and sets at 19:33-19:54. However, thanks to the overall sunny climate of Lhasa, the sunshine hours are long and average about 8 per day. 

You may want to know:
1. The period from 10:00 to 18:00 is the most recommended per day for outdoor activities, when the bright sunshine makes the weather warmer and the scenery more beautiful.
2. Attractions have shorter opening hours in the winter months. For instance, the Potala Palace shortens its opening hours from 09:00-15:40 to 09:30-15:20.
3. Always remember to protect yourself from the strong UV rays - the UV index can reach 7 during the daytime.
 

 Clothes to Wear during the Daytime: Males can wear hoodies plus 3-in-1 jackets for the upper and sweatpants plus long johns as the bottom. Females can wear long johns, jeans, and sweaters, plus wool coats. Long skirts can also be worn, but be sure to add thick leggings inside. 

 Clothes to Wear during the Nighttime: For the upper body, thick down jackets are needed; while for the lower body, inside the jeans or sweatpants, long johns are not enough at all, instead, thermal underpants are recommended to wear. Besides, be sure to wear hats and scarves to prevent the cold wind. If you plan to visit windy Namtso Lake, these items are also necessary. 

 Shoes: Thick enough hiking shoes or boots.

 Other Items:
1. For sun protection: sunglasses and sunscreen.
2. To deal with the dry air: water bottle, lip balm, body lotion, and nose moisturizers.
 During the Tibetan New Year and the Chinese New Year, Lhasa tends to get quite crowded. However, apart from these two periods, the rest of February is considered the off-season for tourism in Lhasa. At this time, most attractions see few visitors and are quiet.

Quiet Potala Palace in February

Furthermore, February is one of the most affordable times of the year to travel to Lhasa. First, in cold winter, many attractions are offering discounted or even free admission. Second, hotel rates are significantly lower than usual - though, of course, this excludes the periods mentioned above, the Tibetan New Year and the Chinese New Year.
 Tibetan New Year, or Losar, is a very important and lively festival for the Tibetan people that usually falls in February of the Gregorian calendar. In 2027, the Tibetan New Year falls on February 7.

If you visit Lhasa during the Tibetan New Year, you will undoubtedly have a better opportunity to experience Tibetan culture. Specifically, places like Barkhor Street will be filled with vendors selling all kinds of New Year’s goods; you’ll see pilgrims everywhere you go; and around the festival, locals will dress in beautiful traditional Tibetan attire. In short, everywhere in Lhasa shows a festival atmosphere, and everyone is preparing for this lively celebration.

However, it is also inevitable that you will encounter some inconveniences. First, in the days approaching the Tibetan New Year, markets like Barkhor Street will be packed with locals and very crowded. Second, some attractions, like the Potala Palace, will be closed for some days during this period. Then, on the first day of the New Year, the time for praying, local families will head out en masse to pay their respects at places like the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace. At this time, these sites will be exceptionally crowded, with queues stretching for miles. Third, many shops and restaurants will suspend operations during the festival.

Crowded Tibetan New Year

Pilgrims in Lhasa during Tibetan New Year

All in all, Lhasa during this period is best suited for travelers who are eager to soak up the festive atmosphere, don’t mind the crowds, and have ample time to spare.
 1. Book a hotel with humidifiers.
2. Oxygen levels are even lower in winter, placing a greater strain on the body and resulting in a higher incidence of altitude sickness. So, try to slow down your travel pace, drink plenty of water, and wait until your body has acclimatized before taking a shower or going to higher places.
3. If you have ample time, in addition to visiting must-see attractions like the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, you can find a sweet tea house on Barkhor Street or sit on a bench at Potala Palace Square to soak up the sunshine and experience the slow pace of life. Additionally, in winter, at places like Puma Yumco, you can admire the spectacular blue ice; at Yamdrok Lake, you can simultaneously enjoy the deep blue waters and the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
 

Feb	Temperature		Sunrise / Sunset	Humi- dity (%)
	High	Low
1	5.7°C / 42.3°F	-8.9°C / 16°F	08:46 / 19:33	28
2	7.5°C / 45.5°F	-9°C / 15.8°F	08:45 / 19:34	16
3	8.9°C / 48°F	-7.3°C / 18.9°F	08:44 / 19:34	12
4	11.5°C / 52.7°F	-8.2°C / 17.2°F	08:44 / 19:35	15
5	14.2°C / 57.6°F	-6.3°C / 20.7°F	08:43 / 19:36	14
6	12.2°C / 54°F	-4.6°C / 23.7°F	08:42 / 19:37	13
7	13.8°C / 56.8°F	-6.6°C / 20.1°F	08:42 / 19:38	13
8	13.6°C / 56.5°F	-5.1°C / 22.8°F	08:41 / 19:39	15
9	9.8°C / 49.6°F	-2°C / 28.4°F	08:40 / 19:39	12
10	12°C / 53.6°F	-5.5°C / 22.1°F	08:40 / 19:40	14
11	10°C / 50°F	-5.2°C / 22.6°F	08:39 / 19:41	14
12	10.4°C / 50.7°F	-4°C / 24.8°F	08:38 / 19:42	15
13	13.7°C / 56.7°F	-4.5°C / 23.9°F	08:37 / 19:43	11
14	15.6°C / 60.1°F	-3.9°C / 25°F	08:36 / 19:43	14
15	14.6°C / 58.3°F	-0.7°C / 30.7°F	08:36 / 19:44	14
16	10.8°C / 51.4°F	1°C / 33.8°F	08:35 / 19:45	18
17	6.4°C / 43.5°F	0.8°C / 33.4°F	08:34 / 19:46	22
18	8.9°C / 48°F	-7.9°C / 17.8°F	08:33 / 19:46	33
19	10.8°C / 51.4°F	-4.4°C / 24.1°F	08:32 / 19:47	13
20	10.1°C / 50.2°F	-5.3°C / 22.5°F	08:31 / 19:48	14
21	9.7°C / 49.5°F	-3.9°C / 25°F	08:30 / 19:49	16
22	7.2°C / 45°F	-2.6°C / 27.3°F	08:29 / 19:49	9
23	10.9°C / 51.6°F	-8.1°C / 17.4°F	08:28 / 19:50	11
24	10.8°C / 51.4°F	-5.4°C / 22.3°F	08:27 / 19:51	15
25	7.9°C / 46.2°F	-5.5°C / 22.1°F	08:26 / 19:52	19
26	10.1°C / 50.2°F	-0.9°C / 30.4°F	08:25 / 19:52	15
27	10°C / 50°F	-4.8°C / 23.4°F	08:24 / 19:53	16
28	8.9°C / 48°F	-1.8°C / 28.8°F	08:23 / 19:54	11