Terelj National Park Weather

Terelj National Park, located around 70 km (44 mi) east away from Ulaanbaatar, belongs to temperate continental climate zone. It has four distinct seasons: long and harsh winter from November to next March, short but cozy summer from June to August as well as quite changeable spring and autumn. Terelj National Park weather is characterized by drastically fluctuating temperatures, relatively low precipitation and generally abundant sunshine. Visitors should pay close attention to forecast if travelling there in no matter which month of 2026.

Temperature

Surrounded by Hentiyn Mountains, Terelj National Park has relatively low temperatures throughout the year: its winter is considerably frigid and significantly 5 months long. Besides, it experiences large temperature difference both yearly and daily, with drastic fluctuations. The daytime highs vary from 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer to -21℃ (-6℉) in deep winter; the correspondent night degrees are usually in the range of -33 - 15℃ (-27 - 59℉). In spring and autumn, sudden temperature drops often occur.

What is the Coldest Month in Terelj National Park?

January is undoubtedly the coldest month when the temperatures drop to the lowest level of the year. Normally, the high degrees swing between -21 and -11℃ (-6 -52℉) while the low values range from -32 to -19℃ (-26 - - 2℉). When cold snap visits, extreme situations with max temperatures below -25℃ (-13℉) and min ones around -40℃ (-40℉) could be seen. The weather of Terelj National Park in January is unbearably cold that visitors may find their eyelashes and brows covered with ice after staying outside for minutes.

What is the Hottest Month in Terelj National Park?

July is the hottest month, but Terelji National Park climate in this month is not sweltering since its daily highs are mostly between 15 and 27℃ (59 - 81℉) and the nighttime degrees between 7 and 14℃ (45 - 57℉). In the past a few years, temperatures exceeding 30℃ (86℉) happen only occasionally. After hiking for a long time under the bright sun, you can naturally cool down with a brief rest in shady places. Therefore, it is known as an ideal place to escape summer heat.

Precipitation 

Compared with the most destinations in the world, the annual precipitation of about 300 mm (11.81 in) on average remains at the low level. Its distribution is of seasonal variations, with about 70% of the total amount concentrated in summer of June - August, the local rainy season, and July seeing the most with the monthly precipitation of 94 mm (3.7 in) from about 17 days. Winter receives the least precipitation, less than 10 mm (0.39 in) per month, when the climate of Terelj National Park gets pretty dry. In most time, the precipitation is not heavy, except for rainy season when heavy but short-time rainfall might occur. 

Sunlight

Sunny Terelj National Park

Most of the time, Terelj National Park is bathed in bright sunlight. Over half of the year, it enjoys long sunlight duration of no less than 8 hours per day averagely. With abundant sunshine, every casual shot looks gorgeous. In terms of the yearly trend, May receives the most sunny hours, around 10 per day as the daytime getting increasingly long. Influenced by a bit more rainfall, June - August sees a slight decrease in sunlight time, but which still remains quite sufficient with 8 - 9 sunshine hours daily. In December, it drops to the yearly bottom, only 5 hours per day out of 8-hour daytime. 

Meanwhile, as high altitude naturally receives stronger solar radiation, it is important to take sunscreen measures to prevent sunburnt and sunstroke, especially during April to September when the UV index is generally over level 5. The intensity reaches its peak in July and August with the UV index of 8. 

Best Time to Visit Terelj National Park

June to middle October is the best time to conduct a tour to Terelj National Park.

June - August

With moderate temperatures and rainfall, the summer here is warm and cozy, thus providing stable and comfortable conditions for people to hike around and visit Aryapala Temple in the park during daytime or observe the Milky Way at night. The summer scenery is full of vitality and completely green grassland could be seen everywhere. Another important reason is lively festival celebrations during this time when a variety of games and performances are provided. 

Vibrant Grassland in Terelj

September - Middle October

The climate turns chilly even a little cold in this time, but it causes no obstacles to outdoor sightseeing. The landscape also grows progressively yellow and then golden autumn view unveils like beautiful oil paintings. Moreover, Terelj National Park during this period receives fewer visitors so that you cost less on hotel rooms, tourist activities and air flights. It means that you can have a more economical and serene trip in wonderful golden views.

Terelj National Park Weather by Month and Travel Recommendation

Month	Weather	Peak/Low Season	Recommendation
January	Unbearably Cold	Low Season
February	Freezing, Dry
March	Sunny, Severely Cold
April	Slightly Cold, Changeable
May	A Little Cold, Sunny
June	Warm in Day, Cool at Night, Rainy Season	Peak Season
July
August
September	Turning Chilly, Less Rain	Shoulder Season
October	Rather Cold, Clear
November	Wintry, Little Snowfall	Low Season
December	Frigid, Very Dry

Spring: April - May

Weather

During April to May, the weather turns from chilly to warm overall, as the daytime high temperatures rise from 4 -13℃ (39 - 55℉) to 10 - 22℃ (50 - 72℉); the low values below 0℃ (32℉) have become very occasional in May. Due to this, accumulated snow begins to melt and everything comes back to life step by step, which marks the arrival of spring. However, the rising trend is so fluctuating that sudden temperature drops often make people feel like going back to winter. 

The monthly precipitation increases a little from 18 to 29 mm (0.71 - 1.14 in), still belonging to the low level. Its form mainly involves rainfall and sleet in low intensity, but light snow also falls now and then, especially in early spring. In addition, it usually blows strong winds in these months, which might lead to dusty days.

Barren Terelj in Early Spring

What to Bring

Clothes: bottoming shirts, knit wear, hoodies, sweaters; trench coats, woolen coats, 3-in-1 windbreakers, down jackets; long johns, thick sweatpants, jeans …

Shoes: comfortable shoes with both thick and thin socks …

Others: sunscreen cream, sunglasses, hats, masks … 

Summer: June - August

Weather

With daily highs lying between 14 and 27℃ (57 - 81℉) and night lows between 5 and 14℃ (41 -57 ℉), summer is the warmest period in Terelj National Park, but it sees no burning heat and keeps pleasant for various activities. After night falls, the weather turns a bit cool and a jacket is in need. When it rains and blows, you would also feel some coolness wearing only T-shirts even if in the day.

Local rainy season lasts from June to August with the average precipitation per month ranges from nearly 80 to 95 mm (3.15 - 3.74 in). The rainy days are not a few, roughly accounting for half of the summer days, but the rainy situation rarely sustains for the whole day no matter it falls as light rain or heavy downpour. Therefore, your schedule won’t be disrupted largely; instead, misty mountains are presented and the air gets fresher after rainfall.

Terelj Visitors in Peak Season

What to Bring

Clothes: T-shirts, long-sleeved ones, thin blouses; sunscreen coats, windbreaker shells, leather jackets, trench coats; thin and loose jeans, dress with leggings, sweatpants …

Shoes: light-weight and breathable shoes like sneakers and flats with anti-slippery soles … 

Others: umbrella or raincoat, sunproof products such as sunblock, sunhats, sunglasses, mosquito repellent pastes …

Travel Tips

1. To visit Terelj National Park in summer, its peak season, you are highly recommended to make earlier reservation especially if your visit time falls in July, so that you can enjoy relatively low prices and save your budget.

2. Watch your steps when hiking on the grassland where animal dungs are randomly scattered. Besides, it is not suggested to visit Terelj National Park right after heavy rainfall since the road and grassland tend to be exceptionally muddy and slippery. You can choose other attractions around Ulaanbaatar as alternatives.

Autumn: September - October

Weather

In autumn, the temperature drops significantly; the day-night temperature difference also gets increasingly large. As its daytime high degrees fluctuate drastically between -3 and 18℃ (27 - 64℉) and low temperatures -13 - 9℃ (9 - 48℉), the climate of Terelj National Park transits from cool and chilly in September to rather cold in October. The landscape also changes correspondingly, from partly yellow to completely golden, then finally brown and barren. The golden autumn views generally last from middle September to middle October.

Autumn View in Terelj National Park

Meanwhile, the monthly average precipitation decreases from 44 to 15 mm (1.73 - 0.59 in), which results in the dry air since when skin-care products become necessary. The good news is that you can enjoy more clear days with azure sky and high visibility. Of a few precipitation days, light rainfall occurs most frequently, but sleet and snow are also possible especially in October.

What to Bring

Clothes: thermal underwear, sweatshirts, sweaters, padded blouses; woolen coats, cotton coats, 3-in-1 windbreakers, thin down coats; long johns, windproof sweatpants, jeans, jacket pants…

Shoes: sport shoes, hiking boots…

Others: hats, scarves, sunglasses, masks, skin-care products, socks of different thickness… 

Winter: November - Next March

Weather

Terelj National Park has a pretty long and freezing winter which lasts almost half of the year from November to next March. It sees a remarkably wide temperature span: daytime highs ranges from -19 to 5℃ (-2 - 41℉) and the nighttime lows from -32 to -7℃ (-26 - 19℉). It causes a big challenge for visitors to conduct long-time activities outside.

Another obvious feature during winter is the extreme dryness since it receives very scarce precipitation. The average monthly precipitation is around 10 mm (0.39 in) in November and March, while other winter time receives only about 5 mm (0.2 in) per month. Though the precipitation is scarce, vast snow-covered landscape could be seen because the snow is consistently accumulated and doesn’t melt until spring. Be sure to mind the heavy snowfall which happens rarely but by no means impossible, which poses great dangers for outdoor activities.

Snow Mountains in Winter

What to Bring

Clothes: thick thermal underwear with high tops, heavy sweaters, padded hoodies, fleece-lined shirts, down vests; 3-in-1 windbreakers, thin down jackets, mink coats, long and heavy down coats; thick long johns, knee pads, fleece sweatpants, windproof jacket trousers, down pants…

Shoes: walking boots with fleece lined, high-top snow boots, ice cleats…

Others: woolen hats, waterproof gloves, large scarves, masks; lip pomades, moisturizing cream, body lotion; protective glasses, warm pastes…

Travel Tips

1. Please pay special attention to the significantly large differences between indoor and outdoor temperatures since most hotel rooms with heating supplied are warm enough for you to wear only bottoming layers. You should adjust your dressing accordingly to prevent catching a cold. But if you choose to try the Mongolian yurts, it might be less warm indoors.

2. It is suggested to wear clothes of bright colors like red, yellow and green during winter. It not only gives you beautiful pictures in the background of white landscape, but also makes you more visible when snowfall encounter strong winds and thus leads to low visibility.