Weather in Ulaanbaatar

Stay up to date with the current weather conditions in Ulaanbaatar. Here you will find fresh data, forecasts, and useful charts to plan your stay.

The climate in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is distinguished by its sharp continentality. This means the city experiences significant temperature fluctuations between seasons, as well as throughout the day. Overall, Ulaanbaatar is characterized by long, very cold and dry winters, and short but relatively warm summers.

There are four distinct seasons. Winter, lasting roughly from November to March, brings severe frosts, with average temperatures often dropping below -20°C, and there is practically no precipitation. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are transitional periods with gradual rising or falling temperatures and small amounts of precipitation. Summer, covering June, July, and August, is the warmest time of year with average temperatures around +15°C to +17°C, and this period accounts for the main, though small, share of annual precipitation.

One of the key features of the weather in Ulaanbaatar is the low level of precipitation throughout the year, which gives the climate arid characteristics. Even in the "wettest" summer months, the number of rainy days is small. Travelers should be prepared for significant temperature changes not only between seasons but also between day and night, especially during the spring and autumn periods.

The annual temperature range in Ulaanbaatar is quite significant, which is typical for a sharply continental climate. The most severe frosts occur in January, when the average temperature drops to -20.9°C, and minimum night temperatures can reach -27.2°C. During the day in January, the thermometer rarely rises above -14.5°C. Similar weather conditions are observed in December (average temperature -19.6°C) and February (average temperature -17.3°C), making winter in Ulaanbaatar long and very cold, with temperatures consistently staying well below zero.

The summer period, conversely, brings warmth to Ulaanbaatar, although it remains comparatively short. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of +17.2°C. Daytime highs in July can reach a comfortable +22.6°C, creating pleasant conditions for walks, while nights remain cool, around +11.8°C. Similar weather sets in during June (average +14.9°C, maximum +21.2°C) and August (average +14.6°C, maximum +19.8°C). Transitional seasons – spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) – are characterized by rapid temperature changes and gradual warming or cooling of the air. For example, in April the average temperature is +2.0°C, but both night frosts (averaging -4.2°C) and daytime warmth up to +8.3°C are possible.

One of the pronounced features of the climate in Ulaanbaatar is the noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations. The difference between daytime maximum and nighttime minimum values often exceeds 10-12°C, and sometimes more, especially in the off-season. For example, in October the average maximum temperature is +5.6°C, while the average minimum is already -6.1°C. In May, the daily maximum averages +15.0°C, and the nightly minimum +1.5°C. This means that even if it is relatively warm during the day, it can get significantly colder by evening and night, which is important to consider when planning activities and choosing clothes, especially if you intend to spend a long time outdoors.

Ulaanbaatar sees a very low level of precipitation throughout the year, which underscores the arid nature of the climate in this region of Mongolia. Nevertheless, one can distinguish a relatively wetter summer period and an extremely dry winter. The majority of annual precipitation, although it remains insignificant in volume, falls mainly from June to August.

The driest months in Ulaanbaatar are January, February, March, October, November, and December. During these periods, the average monthly precipitation is 0 mm. Given the very low temperatures, especially from November to March (when average temperatures are significantly below 0°C), any rare precipitation falling in these months will be in the form of snow. The number of days with precipitation in these cold months is minimal – from 1 day in January, February, and December to 3-4 days in March, October, and November.

The greatest amount of precipitation, if one can say so given the generally low level, occurs in the summer months. July and August are considered the "wettest": on average, 3 mm of precipitation falls, with about 14 days with precipitation in each of these months. In June, about 2 mm of precipitation falls, and there are on average 11 wet days. Even in these peak months, precipitation is usually not abundant and most often consists of short-term rains. Transitional spring and autumn months, such as April (1 mm, 5 wet days), May (1 mm, 7 wet days), and September (2 mm, 8 wet days), are also characterized by a small amount of precipitation.

When planning a trip to Ulaanbaatar, it is important to carefully approach your wardrobe choice, as the weather here is distinguished by significant fluctuations. The key principle is layering. Even in summer, evenings can be cool, and in winter you cannot do without several layers of warm clothing. Regardless of the season, take comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses (the sun in Mongolia can be active even in the cold season), as well as lip balm and moisturizer to protect against the dry air.

In winter (from November to March), it is very cold in Ulaanbaatar, with average temperatures dropping to -20°C and below. You will need: thermal underwear, warm sweaters (fleece, wool), a very warm windproof jacket or down jacket, insulated trousers, a hat covering your ears, a voluminous scarf and warm gloves or mittens, as well as winter shoes with thick soles. In summer (June-August), the weather is significantly warmer, with daytime temperatures reaching +20-23°C. T-shirts, light trousers, or shorts are suitable, but be sure to take a sweater or light jacket for evenings and in case of changeable weather. Although precipitation is more likely in summer, it is usually not abundant, but a light raincoat or a small umbrella may come in handy.

In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), the weather in Ulaanbaatar is the most unpredictable. It can be sunny and relatively warm during the day, but by evening the temperature drops sharply, and frosts are possible. In these seasons, layering is especially relevant: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and a mid-season jacket (preferably windproof). Do not forget a hat and a light scarf. Given the low humidity and rare precipitation for most of the year, the emphasis should be on protection from cold, wind, and sun, rather than from pouring rain.