Nepal’s climate varies with its topography. It ranges from tropical to arctic depending upon the
altitude. The Terai region, which lies in the tropical southern part of the country, for instance, has a
hot, humid climate. The mid-land regions are pleasant almost all year around, although winter
morning and nights are cool. The northern mountain region, around an altitude above 3,353 meters
has an alpine climate with a considerably lower temperature and thin air in winter as can be expected.
Following are the major climate of Nepal
1)Sub-tropicalclimate[58m-1200m]
This type of climate is found on Terai of southern Nepal. It covers Terai as well as lower part of
Churia range. Summer temperature is 38° to 43° C and in winter temperature is 5° to 15°C. Rainfall
occurs in in monsoon season. Due to hot and humid climate, forest is thick and tall. This region is
suitable for gricultural activities as well as for the development of industries.
2) Warm temperature climate[1200m-2100m]
This type of climate is found in Churai and lower part of Mahabharata. It is covered with deciduous
forest which is not so thick. In this climate, eastern part gets more rainfall than west. This region is
suitable for horticulture.
3) Cool Temperature Climate[2100m-3300m]
This type of climate is found in between upper part of Mahabharata and lower part of Himalayan
region. This climate experience short summer and long winter as summer maximum temperature is
about 20° C and winter minimum temperature is 0° C.
4)Alpine climate[3300m-5000m]
This type of climate is extended from 3300m to 5000m below the snow line. Most of the time weather
is cold and temperature remains at 0°C and the summer temperature goes up to the 10°C. Due to the
cold climate, it is very difficult to carry out agriculture and other economic activities. Trees are small
bushes and umbrella shaped.
5)Tundra climate[above 5000m]
This type of climate is mainly found on the Himalayan region. Temperature falls below freezing
points. All region are covered with snow. In this type of climate only liches and moases are grown in
surface in summer.
Factor affecting climate
1) Latitude or distance from the equator
Latitude affects the climate of a place variedly. The climate in the 0° to 30° latitude(tropical zone) is
hot,30° to 60° (temperature zone)is moderate and 60° to 90° (polar zone)is cold.
2)Altitude
It is universal law of nature that if altitude (height) increases, by 165 meter, the temperature decreases
by 1° C. It means to say that if altitude increases temperature decreases and if altitude decreases,
temperature increases. But when the altitude increases, the density of air becomes thinner and
thinner since it contains less amount of dust particles, smoke and water vapor. for instance, the terai
region and the Himalayan region of Nepal.
3)Distance from sea
Due to the influence of sea, the place nearer to the sea or ocean will have mild climate and further, it
will have extreme climate. The nearer places will have the regular exchange of sea breeze and land
breeze in both the day and night, which helps to maintain the climate in a moderate way. But the
places distant from sea will receive dry wind.
4) Wind Direction
The places located near the sea might not have mild climate always. It is due to the direction of the
wind that it blows. Winds have fixed directions to blow. In this case, if the wind does not blow in the
nearby places to the sea, the places still might have extreme climate. Similarly, winds often change
directions.
5)Land reliefs
Slope of the land facing the seas and oceans will have damp climate and the opposite side will have
reverse climate. Similarly, the slope of the mountain that faces the sun and wind will have warm
climate and its back will have a cold climate, example: Pokhara and Manang-mustang.
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