The short answer: October to early December, and March to April. These months bring the most comfortable temperatures and, in autumn, the lowest rainfall of the year. Summer is hot, humid and stormy, winter is cool and often gray, and May to June is the plum rain season. That said, Taipei is a year-round city: the MRT keeps running in any weather, and there's always a museum, a show or a food hall to duck into.
Taipei weather by month
These are the Central Weather Administration's 30-year averages (1991 to 2020) for its Taipei weather station.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.4°C | 14.2°C | 91 mm | 13.5 |
| February | 20.3°C | 14.4°C | 143 mm | 12.9 |
| March | 22.7°C | 16.0°C | 157 mm | 14.5 |
| April | 26.4°C | 19.3°C | 153 mm | 14.4 |
| May | 29.7°C | 22.6°C | 240 mm | 14.8 |
| June | 32.7°C | 25.1°C | 345 mm | 15.6 |
| July | 34.8°C | 26.6°C | 226 mm | 12.0 |
| August | 34.2°C | 26.4°C | 338 mm | 14.6 |
| September | 31.5°C | 25.0°C | 315 mm | 13.4 |
| October | 27.6°C | 22.4°C | 150 mm | 12.7 |
| November | 24.8°C | 19.7°C | 83 mm | 12.3 |
| December | 21.0°C | 16.0°C | 89 mm | 12.6 |
Two things stand out. Rain falls on 12 to 16 days in every month of the year, so pack an umbrella whenever you come. And from May to September the averages hide plenty of heavy downpours: those five months bring well over half of Taipei's yearly rain.
Autumn (October to November): the best time
Highs drop from the hot 30s to the mid to high 20s, and November is the driest month of the year by rainfall. Comfortable walking weather, and a good chance of clear views from Elephant Mountain and Taipei 101. If you can choose any time, choose this.
Winter (December to February): cool, damp and festive
Average highs sit around 19 to 21°C and lows around 14°C. That sounds mild, but rain falls on about 13 days a month, often as gray, chilly drizzle. Bring a warm layer and a jacket that handles rain. Winter also has the city's biggest celebrations: New Year's Eve at Taipei 101, then Lunar New Year.
Spring (March to April): pleasant, a little showery
Temperatures climb back into the 20s, with frequent light rain. A good time to visit, with comfortable days for walking. The 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival ran until mid-March.
Plum rain season (May to June)
The plum rain season (梅雨) runs from May to June and brings spells of steady, heavy rain. June is Taipei's wettest month on average, with 345 mm. It's not a reason to stay away, but plan indoor options for every day.
Summer and typhoon season (July to September)
Hot and humid, with average highs of 34 to 35°C in July and August, and sudden afternoon thunderstorms. Taiwan's typhoon season officially begins on July 1, and the Central Weather Administration notes that most typhoon strikes come in July, August and September, though they have arrived as early as late April and as late as November.
- Watch the forecast. When a typhoon approaches, follow the Central Weather Administration's warnings and check your airline. Flights and ferries can be cancelled.
- Buy flexible. If you travel in typhoon season, book refundable rooms where you can and keep a day of slack before your flight home.
- Stay indoors when it hits. The safest place during a typhoon is your hotel. Stock up at a convenience store the day before.
Good to know: the Central Weather Administration's English site, cwa.gov.tw/eng, has the official forecast and typhoon warnings.
The big events
New Year's Eve at Taipei 101
Taipei's New Year's Eve is famous for the fireworks launched from Taipei 101 at midnight. For the 2025 to 2026 countdown, the display ran six minutes, and tens of thousands of people packed the plaza outside Taipei City Hall for the city's countdown party. Expect big crowds in Xinyi, and arrive early for a spot.
MRT: Taipei City Hall (Blue Line, BL18) for the countdown party; Taipei 101/World Trade Center (Red Line, R03). → Xinyi guide
Lunar New Year
Taiwan's biggest holiday. In 2027, Lunar New Year's Day falls on Saturday, February 6, and the official holiday runs from February 4 to February 10. Families travel home and many shops close or keep shorter hours over the holiday. It can be a quiet, interesting time to see the city, but book trains and hotels early and check opening hours before you go anywhere.
Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, two weeks after Lunar New Year, and Taipei marks it with its own lantern show. The 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival ran from February 25 to March 15, at Ximending and Taipei Expo Park. For the sky lanterns, head to Pingxi. The rest of the year, from the dragon boat races to the New Year's Eve fireworks, is in our calendar of Taipei festivals and events.
Seeing the south too? Inside Tainan has its own weather by month and festival calendar for Tainan.
Sources
Monthly temperature, rainfall and rain days: Central Weather Administration, monthly means (Taipei station, 1991 to 2020). Typhoon months: Central Weather Administration. Plum rain and the start of typhoon season: Focus Taiwan, June 30, 2026. New Year's Eve 2025 to 2026: Focus Taiwan, January 1, 2026. 2027 Lunar New Year holiday: National Immigration Agency. Lunar New Year closures: Taiwan Tourism Administration. 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival: Taipei Times, February 24, 2026. Checked October 2026.