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Lukla Weather Today &
Live Flight Status
Real-time meteorological monitoring dashboard, runway wind vectors, cloud ceilings, and visibility clearances for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) schedules at Lukla Tenzing-Hillary runway.
About Lukla Weather: Tenzing-Hillary Airport Climate Guide
Everything you need to know about the weather in Lukla, Nepal — temperatures, wind, visibility, and why this 2,860 m Himalayan runway is one of the most weather-sensitive airports on earth.
Why Lukla Weather Is So Unpredictable
Lukla Airport (IATA: LUA, ICAO: VNLK) — officially Tenzing-Hillary Airport — sits carved into a mountainside above the Dudh Koshi valley at 2,860 m (9,383 ft). Its short, sloping runway points directly at a valley wall, leaving no room for missed approaches. Every flight operates under strict Visual Flight Rules (VFR): pilots must see the runway clearly because there is no radar or instrument landing system.
The weather in Lukla changes fast because the valley funnels Himalayan air currents. Cold mountain air sinks overnight, then rising morning sun triggers valley fog and thermal updrafts. By mid-morning, convection clouds build over the ridges and afternoon crosswinds can exceed safe limits. This microclimate is why flights to Lukla are frequently delayed even when the sky looks clear from Kathmandu.
Lukla Temperature Through the Year
Daytime temperatures at Lukla range from roughly -10°C to 6°C in winter (December–February) up to 5°C to 18°C during the monsoon (June–August). Spring and autumn are the mildest, with March–April and October–November offering the most stable flying conditions. Nights are always cold at altitude — even in summer, early-morning temperatures can hover near freezing.
Wind, Visibility & When Flights Actually Fly
CAAN safety limits require visibility of at least 5 km and surface winds below 15 knots for VFR departures at Lukla. The best flight window is almost always 06:00–10:00 AM, before valley fog burns off and afternoon wind shear develops. Helicopters can cope with lower ceilings and route through alternative valleys, which is why heli shuttles often fly when fixed-wing planes are grounded.
Lukla Airport Facts
- AirportTenzing-Hillary (LUA / VNLK)
- Elevation2,860 m (9,383 ft)
- Runway527 m, 12° slope
- Safe wind limit15 knots
- Min visibility5 km
- Best monthsOct, Nov, Mar, Apr
- Best time of day06:00 – 10:00 AM
Planning a flight? Book the Kathmandu–Lukla heli shuttle or take an Everest Base Camp sightseeing tour from Lukla. Our dispatch team tracks this live data every day.
Live Weather Across the Everest Region
Real-time temperatures, wind speeds, and visibility metrics tracked along the Kathmandu–Lukla–Namche–EBC corridor. Direct API updates.
Lukla Airport Live Meteorological Station
Runway telemetry parameters, wind vector indicators, and VFR flight dispatch reports synced directly with station feeds.
Runway visibility and wind profiles clear CAAN flight safety clearance limits. Scheduled planes and helis active.
Live Telemetry Diagnostics
VFR Dispatch Checklist
Live Flight Advisory
Checking real-time safety clearances for small aircraft and helicopter coordinates...
Lukla Hourly & 7-Day Forecast
Next 24 hours hour-by-hour and a 7-day outlook for Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Nepal. Plan your early-morning flight window around cloud build-up.
Next 24 Hours
7-Day Outlook
Lukla Airport VFR Safety Regulations
Standard operating thresholds strictly mandated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) at Tenzing-Hillary runway.
Due to the absence of radar/ILS instrument guidance systems, aircraft must navigate mountain canyons strictly with clear visual sightlines.
Air traffic dispatchers restrict VFR passenger aircraft takeoffs once tailwinds or crosswinds hit 15 knots to mitigate runway wind shears.
Himalayan weather remains most stable in early mornings. Rising temperatures trigger active convection updrafts and clouds after 11:00 AM.
Best Time to Fly to Lukla: Interactive Guide
Himalayan aviation schedules rely heavily on seasonal trends. Select a month below to analyze daily dispatch rates, key delay triggers, and transport advice.
-- Feasibility Profile
Aviation Insider Tip:
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Detailed Monthly Weather & Flight Success Rates
| Month | Average Temperature | Avg Wind Velocity | Flight Success Rate | Meteorological Profile & Travel Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 5°C to 12°C | 6 - 10 knots | 85% - High Success | Clear skies and dry air return. Afternoon winds pick up occasionally, but morning slots run reliably with very low delay rates. |
| April | 8°C to 15°C | 7 - 12 knots | 90% - Optimal | Peak climbing weather. Minimal precipitation and excellent visual clearances. Highest volume of scheduled VFR flights. |
| May | 10°C to 18°C | 8 - 14 knots | 75% - Moderate | Pre-monsoon build-ups occur during afternoon windows. Booking early-morning flight blocks is highly recommended. |
| Month | Average Temperature | Avg Wind Velocity | Flight Success Rate | Meteorological Profile & Travel Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 12°C to 20°C | 10 - 15 knots | 40% - High Delays | Monsoon season begins. Low overcast cloud decks block runway approaches, resulting in frequent multi-day schedule pauses. |
| July | 13°C to 21°C | 12 - 16 knots | 30% - Poor | Highest monthly rain values. Continuous valley fog compromises runways. Plan buffer travel days or coordinate helicopter options. |
| August | 13°C to 20°C | 11 - 15 knots | 35% - Poor | Rain and cloud ceilings remain below safe aviation thresholds. Flight cancellations are common; tracking radar trends is advised. |
| September | 11°C to 18°C | 9 - 13 knots | 60% - Transition | Monsoon starts tapering off in late September. Valley skies gradually clear, opening early morning flight windows. |
| Month | Average Temperature | Avg Wind Velocity | Flight Success Rate | Meteorological Profile & Travel Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 7°C to 14°C | 5 - 9 knots | 95% - Excellent | Crisp air, maximum visual visibility, and virtually no clouds. Ideal month for Everest helicopter tours and trekking. |
| November | 4°C to 11°C | 6 - 10 knots | 90% - Stable | Stable high pressure brings clear visibility daily. Temperatures begin to drop; packing cold-weather gear is recommended. |
| Month | Average Temperature | Avg Wind Velocity | Flight Success Rate | Meteorological Profile & Travel Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 1°C to 8°C | 8 - 12 knots | 75% - Moderate | Sky conditions remain clear but freezing runway frost/ice delays early morning takeoff clearances by 1-2 hours. |
| January | -3°C to 6°C | 9 - 15 knots | 65% - Variable | Occasional winter snow blankets the tarmac. Runway ice requires ambient solar heating before air traffic control clears VFR flights. |
| February | 0°C to 8°C | 8 - 13 knots | 70% - Improving | Cold mountain winds remain active, but flight success rates climb as the winter dry season transitions toward spring. |
Go Heli Helicopter Booking Packages
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Lukla Flight Weather FAQs
Answers to frequent meteorological, flight schedule, and flight booking inquiries for Lukla Airport.