Seasons in Bhutan

Bhutan is a small country located between India and Tibet in the continent of Asia. The terrain of Bhutan is composed of deep, broad valleys and rugged, elevated peaks. Its prominent seasons in a year include spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Different geographical regions experience different seasons, dividing the country into three areas: the inner Himalayas, the great Himalayas, and the Himalayan foothills, depending on the altitudes. 

The great Himalayas extend between the west and the north, characterised by high altitudes covered in snow. The inner Himalayan regions cover the majority of the geographical regions. In the southern part of the country, massive rainfall is usual. This region has thick vegetation composed of tropical woods, possessing numerous wildlife habitats. The landscape of the country mainly impacts the climate. The north Indian monsoons also influence the framing of the seasons of Bhutan.  

The below content deals with Bhutan’s different climatic changes.   

Major seasons  

Spring

In Bhutan, spring arrives in early March and concludes in mid-April. Spring is the season that marks the budding and blooming of various flowers. The regions of Bhutan are adorned with flowers encompassing wild azaleas, edelweiss, and rhododendron during this season. The southern areas experience hot and humid conditions, whereas the western valleys encounter warmer days and chillier nights.

Monsoon

Summer begins with scattered rainfall from mid-April to late June. The Indian summer monsoon starts in June and continues through July to the end of September, impacting the country’s southwest regions. This makes the western part form a rain shadow area, where the vegetation and valley remain green. 

The monsoonal rain influences 60 to 90 per cent of rainfall along the country’s western regions. The northern parts experience an average of 40 mm per year of precipitation. The central regions receive about 1000 mm, and the southern receive precipitation of about 7800 mm, which supports the subtropical conditions. 

The availability of ample water resources supports the country to generate renewable energy through hydroelectricity from its natural resources.

Autumn

Following monsoons, Autumn begins from the end of September to late November. The days are distinguished between radiant and sunny, with some snow found in the higher altitudes of the country. Autumn in Bhutan is a favourable period to glimpse the clear Himalayan rims. Also, it is the best period for harvesting seasonal crops like rice.

Winter

Winter commences in late November and concludes in March. The prominent regions that are above three thousand metres experience snowfall. The northern region at higher altitudes experiences heavy snowfall, and the higher mountainous passes remain closed. 

Other areas experience warmer days with clearer skies and cold nights. Windstorms are usual as the country faces winter along with a northeast monsoon. This is the significant aspect of the name of Bhutan Drukyul (land of thunder dragon).

Geographical features of Bhutan affecting the seasons

The landscape is composed of high peaks and valleys linked through various rivers which flow into the Indian plains. The more significant variation in the altitudes of the country results from the more considerable diversity of the country’s ecosystem. Following are the features related to elevation impacting seasons:

• Elevation varies between the southern and the northern ranges, where the southern range possesses an altitude of 200 m and the north possesses an altitude of 7000 m. 
• There are various deep, broad valleys with rivers in the central regions, which significantly impact the country’s average temperature throughout the year. 
• Another significant factor impacting the season is the monsoon rainfall.  

Climatic Zones 

The country possesses three climatic zones, impacted by different geographical attributes. The three major climatic zones encompass subtropical, mid-Montana, and Alpine. 

• The subtropical zone ranges from an altitude of 1800 m to foothills, which possess hot and heavy downpours during summer and is in the southwest region. Mid-Montana ranges from a height of 1800 m to 3500 m.
• Most regions are covered with coniferous forests with a moderate climate and are in the central area. 
• The Alpine zone is above 3500 m which experiences tundra conditions, and is in the northeast region.

Conclusion

Bhutan’s northern part experiences freezing temperatures during winter, where snow blankets the peaks of the mountains. Cold temperatures are also experienced during summer at higher altitudes. The western-central regions of Bhutan are composed of mild and deciduous forests. These regions experience warm temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter. Due to monsoon rainfalls, the southern part is usually humid and moist throughout the year, and the average temperature differs between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius.