Laos has a tropical monsoon climate, with a pronounced rainy season from May through October, a cool dry season from November through February, and a hot dry season in March and April. Generally, monsoons occur at the same time across the country, although that time may vary significantly from one year to the next. Rainfall also varies regionally, with the highest amounts-- 3,700 millimeters annually--recorded on the Bolovens Plateau in Champasak Province.

City rainfall stations have recorded that Savannakhét averages 1,440 millimeters of rain annually; Vientiane receives about 1,700 millimeters, and Louangphrabang (Luang Prabang) receives about 1,360 millimeters. Rainfall is not always adequate for rice cultivation, however, and the relatively high average precipitation conceals years where rainfall may be only half or less of the norm, causing significant declines in rice yields. Such droughts often are regional, leaving production in other parts of the country unaffected. Temperatures range from highs around 40°C along the Mekong in March and April to lows of 5°C or less in the uplands of Xiangkhoang and Phôngsali in January

Additionally, Laos has a monsoon climate of a dry and a wet season.  The dry season lasts from November to May with the cooler period in December and January.  At its coldest, the temperatures can fall to as low as 15 deg C.  The cold periods tend to be at night and early morning with colder temperatures at higher altitudes.  During the hot period of the dry season, between March and May, temperatures can reach the high 30s.  The rainy season is a lot cooler, and rainfall varies according to altitude.  Generally speaking, the monsoon season produces severe rain that lasts for short periods of time.  The wet months vary according to location, in Vientiane, they are from May to September, in Luang Prabang, August is far wetter than any other month.