Phuket weather and practical information
Phuket has a moist, tropical climate, influenced
chiefly by monsoon winds that vary in direction according to the
season. From March to September, as the sun's rays strike directly
above the equator, the land mass of Asia is heated more than is
the Indian Ocean. This draws moist hot air from the ocean over Phuket
and southern Thailand, bringing the rains of the southwest monsoon.
By mid-April the winds are mainly from the southwest and are heavy
with moisture.
Northeast Monsoon
Southwest Monsoon
During the month of May, it will rain an average
of 25 days making it one of the wettest months of the year. When
the tilt of the earth brings the direct sun rays south of the equator,
the heating of the Indian Ocean draws the cooler dry air of the
northeast monsoon from the highlands of Asia across the countries
of South and Southeast Asia. By October the direction of the wind
will have shifted to the northeast and Phuket will experience another
intense but briefer wet period as the northeast monsoon sweeps down
the east coast of Thailand and moves back into the Indian Ocean.
By mid November the weather on Phuket will be somewhat cooler and
dryer, until March when the weather becomes perceptively warmer
and more humid preceding the onset of the next monsoon. Visiting
Phuket during the monsoon season is not unpleasant because most
days are rain-free except for showers in the afternoon. Phuket averages
2540 mm (or about 100 inches) of rain each year.
RAINFALL
CHART
(click for a bigger view)
What's the Phuket weather like during the rainy season?
This is the question everyone asks! So to give you a clearer picture,
here are a few facts.
Phuket has a tropical climate that is warm the whole year round
averaging temperatures of around 29C (88F). There are two distinct
seasons with a few minor variations in-between.
Many people visit in the high season (November to March) because
of pleasant temperatures, blue skies and low rainfall. As a result
the island is quite busy and everything is a little more expensive.
Hotels and tours can be quite crowded and the island is not quite
so laid back.
During April till mid-May, it begins to heat up to around 34C (96F)
and there are often heavy thunder-showers in the late afternoons.
The Thai New Year (Songkran Festival) occurs on April 13th and everyone
sprinkles (or throws) cool water on each other. Welcome relief!
This quickly gives way to cooler temperatures and rain showers
from late May until November (the monsoon season).
Visiting Phuket in the monsoon season has lots of advantages. Temperatures
average a comfortable 29/30C (88-90F) and light warm winds make
sightseeing tours very pleasant. During the monsoon season, it doesn't
rain every day! The usual weather pattern is for short dramatic
showers, with plenty of sunshine in between, providing an opportunity
to chat with the locals while you're waiting for the rain to pass.
June, July and August are particularly pleasant.
Activities and trips (apart from Similan diving trips) remain totally
unaffected. You can still go swimming or kayaking, (falling off
a canoe in warm water will not leave you shivering!) The island
is less busy and more relaxed - it's also less expensive.
There are some great deals on hotel rates and much better shopping
bargains. Better value for money - get the hotel room you want at
the price you want! Check out the Special Offers! . Less people,
more room on the beaches and it's easier to get a good table at
your favourite restaurant. One point to watch, however, Is that
swimming off the West coast beaches can be dangerous due to strong
currents and rip-tides. Always observe the warning flags on the
beach.
Don't be put off by the long-range weather forecasts. Phuket weather
is very localised because of the surrounding hills. There could
be a shower on Patong Beach, and bright sunshine in Kata a few kilometers
south!
Finally, remember that this is after all a tropical climate, so
its never cold and the sun is never far away....
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