Namtso Lake Weather in January

Namtso Lake Weather in January

Weather & Climate at Namtso Lake in January

January is the winter in Namtso with an average temperature of -16℃-8℃. It’s generally cold and dry with a large temperature difference between day and night. Due to the high altitude and cold weather, the ice of the lake freezes deep up to 2 meters in the winter. It’s solid enough for people to walk or for cars to drive on it. The winter in the northern Tibetan Plateau is long up to 5 months. Namtso Lake is very cold in the winter, especially when it’s windy with a level up to 8 or above. The sunshine is still sufficient, and the ultraviolet rays are strong.

Overview of Namtso Weather and Climate

Namtso Lake is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. The lake is 4,718 meters above sea level. It is the highest salt lake in the world. Because it’s 1,000 meters higher than Lhasa, there’s a higher chance to have the altitude sickness here. Namtso is of the continental climate of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The annual sunshine duration is 2881 hours. The annual precipitation is 481 mm, and it’s maily windy with 73.8 days of average wind level above 8.

Traveling Tips on Visiting Namtso in January:

Please make sure to check the weather in advance before going to Namtso Lake. After the heavy snowfall, sometimes the national road to Namtso will be blocked. Heavy snow may also crush houses, so please be careful when being around buildings, they may collapse or be damaged by the heavy snow as well.

Remember to bring some warm clothes and cold-proof gears to stay warm against the strong wind. It’s not advisable to stay outdoors for long, since the severe weather makes you more prone to have frostbite, cracked skin, breathing difficulties, and increased risk of colds.

Please try to have less strenuous exercise and outdoor activities in the freezing cold winter. The oxygen content is also low in the winter. Excessive outdoor activities or exercise can increase physical discomfort.

Eye protection and sun protection are both needed. The ultraviolet rays are strong in winter, and the surface of both the lake and ice on the plateau are very glaring. The reflection of snow is very harmful to the eyes, and it is easy to get snow blindness.

What to wear if visiting Namtso in January:

The lakeside of Namtso is windy and cold, and it is essential to keep warm and cold. In addition, gloves, scarves, hats and masks need to be worn to resist the cold wind. The hotels in Damxung County (where Namtso is located) are in limited conditions, and the winter heating equipment is insufficient. Warm clothes also needed indoors. If you are going out, gloves, masks and more warm clothes are needed.

Daytime average temperature: -10°C, warm clothes such as outdoor fleece jackets, down jackets, windbreakers, sweaters, winter jackets, fur coats and leather jackets, etc. are recommended.

Nighttime average temperature: -20°C, it is not recommended to go out. winter clothes such as winter coats, sweaters, warm underneath shirts and pants, etc. are needed when staying indoors. The best time to travel to Damxung County/Namtso Lake in general: May to December After May, the temperature rises and the lake begins to thaw. The reflection of the blue sky starts to flow again, which brings back life to everything as well. The windy season is over and it feels so much more comfortable. The temperature slowly rises and the ice and snow all melt.

Daily Temperature at Namtso Lake in January