Tibet weather & when to go: February

If you plan to visit Tibet in February before the borders are closed, you’ll need a hat and sunglasses to protect against the powerful UV rays which are especially strong at this time of year. Because of the snow and ice covering many parts of the country, exploring beyond urban areas is problematic and inadvisable.

The weather in Tibet during February remains seriously cold, with average temperatures hovering around freezing and great swathes of the country still buried under snow. The capital, Lhasa, is comparatively warm however, due to its lower altitude, with an average daytime temperature of 9°C dropping to -6°C after dark. There are even greater extremes in Shigatse, which varies from 13°C to -15°C.