Probably the first thing you were told about Mongolia was that it is very cold. This is true but rather than try to anticipate the various weather patterns of the country, it is better to prepare for the worst-case scenario, which is -40 degrees Celsius (-40º C) with a wind chill factor of -55 degrees Celsius.

Spring is sunny and extremely windy, and dust storms are common. The temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50º to 68º F), but the wind makes it seem colder. Summer is sunny and breezy, with an average temperature in the low 20s (70s F), though it can get as hot as 30 degrees (86º F) on a regular basis. Autumn is short, with temperatures similar to those in spring. The rainy season takes place in August and/or September. The sun shines almost every day in Mongolia, even in winter, and the glare from the snow can be intense, so sunglasses are a necessity.

Winter usually lasts from mid-October until April, with the coldest period being between mid-December and the end of February or mid-March when the temperature drops to -20 or -30C and occasionally even lower. Snow usually falls between mid-October and mid-April. There are some regions, especially in the northwest, where the temperature goes down to -40 to -50C. In the Gobi it drops to -40C.

Spring, which generally starts in March, is known for its constant dust storms and huge fluctuations in air pressure. The steppe gradually starts to sprout fresh, green pasture and even in the capital, the change is both visible and welcome Summer evenings in the Western Altai range tend to be cooler and local nomads have to wear warm and heavy clothes.

The annual rainfall begins in late July and continues until September. Humidity is generally low (47-73 /o), especially in winter. But in the country the number of sunny days ranges between 220 and 260 a year.