Phuket Weather Forecasts - Thailand Climate and Seasons
The great weather in Phuket is one of the reasons for its popularity as an all-year-round holiday hot spot.
The seasons are dictated by the monsoon winds, making it warm and humid pretty much all the time.
The tourist seasons also coincide with the annual weather patterns, making it easier to plan a trip to the southern provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.
Generally there are two seasons, dry and rainy. Dry being from November to April, and rainy April to October, however with global climatic changes, the seasons are less distinct and rain can be more unpredictable. Even so, there are very few periods where the downpours last all day, every day.
From November to April the temperatures on the southwest coast of Thailand vary from around 24-32ºC, which is the most pleasant they reach all year. The skies are pretty much clear everyday and sunbathers will appreciate a welcome breeze. This time of year the beaches are pristine and the waters are calm and safe to swim. There is very little rain fall and the humidity is more comfortable.
The wet season sparked by the southwest monsoon usually brings rain to the Andaman Coast from April to October. Some businesses in the less busy tourist areas close for this season, however in Phuket, most locations remain open to cater to overseas visitors. Typically rain will fall heavily for a few hours during the afternoon and there can also be downpours and storms during the evenings. At most there will be several days of continual rain, which can be disappointing if you are on a short vacation. The Andaman Coast region tends to get more rain than any other part of Thailand reaching around 2,400 millimetres every year, compared to 1,400 for central and northern regions.
The peak tourist season is from November to February and often referred to by Thais as the cool season. This is the most popular time to visit many locations in Thailand and the cooler temperatures continue to lure visitors to the Andaman Coast through until March and April. During this time the tourists arrive in numbers as direct flight schedules are increased and hotels are often fully booked, in particular during the Christmas and New Year holiday season.
The hottest time of year begins in April when temperatures climb to 36ºC and the air feels most humid. This coincides with the beginning of Phuket's tourist low season when prices of hotels and other services are often discounted. Many people prefer to travel to the region during this period to take advantage of the lower prices and less crowded beaches, and also celebrate the famous Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year which falls mid April. However visitors should be aware that the sea is not always calm and swimming warning flags will be placed on beaches when there is a dangerous rip current.
