Today's weather for Phuket, Thailand22nd Nov 2009 03:00

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Weather Overview for Phuket

Phuket is an island province located on Thailand’s southern peninsula. It’s Thailand’s biggest island and sits off the east coast in the Andaman Sea. The island is lush and hilly; its highest peak is 529m. Phuket is situated around 250km south from the capital Bangkok.

Phuket has become justifiably famous as a world-class holiday destination thanks to its great climate and glorious beaches. Some would argue it has become a victim of its own success as more and more high-rise hotels have sprung up and visitors, once searching for ultimate relaxation are now often attracted by the seedier side of Thailand. That said, there are still many charming places on the island and something for everyone from tranquil beaches to debaucherous night spots. There are also many other great places to visit in the nearby area including the stunning island of Koh Phi Phi and Krabi. Phuket vies with the famous island of Koh Samui on the east coast for the claim of Thailand’s number one island destination.

Phuket was sadly devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami with countless lives lost, homes and livelihoods destroyed. Happily today the island is recovering well but scars are still visible.

Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperatures year round. There are 3 different seasons: cool, hot and rainy. The rainy season comes during the southwest monsoon between May and October. The cool season occurs after the monsoon lasting from November to February when cool, dry winds from the northeast arrive. The hot season is from March to May as the heat gradually builds before the monsoon breaks.

Monsoon Season (May to October)

By May the hot air over the Asian continent has built up intensely. This draws in cool moisture laden air from the southwest over the Indian Ocean, bringing rains to Thailand and the rest of South East Asia. Being in the southwest of Thailand, Phuket is one of the first to experience the monsoon rains. The start and end of the monsoon season see the wettest weather: May, September and October. Phuket experiences 350-400mm average rainfall during these months. The months of June, July and August see about 280mm per month.

Temperatures during the monsoon season are hot: between 28°C and 29°C on average, with highs around 31°C and lows around 25°C. The high humidity makes these temperatures pretty uncomfortable.

If you’re willing to gamble on the weather, this is a good time to take advantage of quieter beaches and cheaper prices. The rains are a nuisance but showers are often over quickly and followed by sunshine. July and August have become a mini high season on the island as holidaymakers travel over from Europe on the summer vacations and many Australians take a break from their winter weather. These months especially can still see a good amount of sunshine.

 November to February

This is the high season in Phuket and sees the best weather of the year. The southwest winds that brought the monsoon are reversed and cooler, dry air arrives from the northeast.

The weather is very dry at this time and temperatures are at their most comfortable – between around 23°C and 30°C. Humidity drops to its lowest of 58% in February, helping to make conditions very pleasant. December is the coolest month of the year, averaging 27°C, and February is the driest month averaging 30mm of rain.

March to May

This period can get very hot in Phuket with daily highs going up to 34°C on average. The heat builds and builds before the monsoon arrives sometime in May.

It is dry at this time with plenty of blue skies, but with temperatures often in the mid 30s many people find it too hot for comfort. Humidity builds during this time, adding to the discomfort, and the first thunderstorms occur in April.

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