The country can be divided into three climatic zones.

The north alpine region that includes mountains higher than 3000 meters above sea level, the temperate zone known as the inner Himalayas of altitudes ranging between 2000 and 3000m where most of the Bhutanese live and the southern tropical belt (100-2000) that receives around 5000 mm of summer monsoon rain.

The southern belt is hot and humid in summer but pleasant in winter. The climate is moderate in the temperate zone where the day temperature never gets to the extreme. The northern region is cold and dry. However, climate can vary considerably between valleys and within valleys depending on the altitude. Thimphu for example is cold and dry in winter while Punakha is warm.

Bhutan has four seasons. Spring (March-May), Summer (June-August), Autumn (September-November), Winter (December-February)