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Climate: Laos can
be visited throughout the year. However those planning to travel extensively
by road in the Northern part of the country and/or in the south of the
Boloven Plateau should avoid the last two months of the rainy season when
some countryside roads may be impassable.
Laos enjoys a tropical
climate with three distinct seasons. The dry or cool season begins end of
October and lasts until end of February (average 20-25 C). Take along a
pullover or jacket during the cool season, as nights can be cold, especially
in the mountainous areas such as Luang Prabang, the Plain of Jars, Saravane
and Houeixai (0-5 C). The hot season lasts from March to June, light cotton
clothes and hats are recommended (average 35 C). From June to early October
is the rainy season (average 25-30 C). Most precipitations come in the
afternoon and in the evening. Rainfall varies considerably from area to area
with the highlands in the Phou Louang range along Lao / Vietnam border
receiving the more precipitation (300+ mms per year). Vientiane average
150/200 mms per year and Luang Prabang 100/150 mms per year.
Visitors traveling
between end of March and beginning of April should be aware that in the
mountainous areas, slash and burn cultivation causes
smoke that alters the weather. Domestic flights may also be delayed or
cancelled.
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