February Overview
The dry season continues throughout February, promising premium travelling conditions throughout Laos. Whilst little or no rain is expected across the country, temperatures remain moderate with Vientiane and Luang Prabang averaging 26°C whilst further to the south temperatures are a little higher, averaging 30°C or just tipping into the low 30’s°C in some parts. Towards the end of the month temperatures start to rise as March and April, the hottest months of the year, approach.
(- continued:) February Overview
If you plan to travel in the north and east of the country, at higher altitudes, temperatures remain much cooler especially at night and suitable warm clothing is recommended.
Mekong River Levels
In recent years water levels on certain stretches of the Mekong River have reached record lows. This is not simply due to lower rainfall and global warming, but because of 8 new Chinese ‘super-dams’ stemming the water flow to ensure a plentiful water supply to regions of China outside of the Mekong River’s natural basin. The result of this damming is that the rivers fish stocks are declining dramatically in the lower Mekong countries, with other wildlife expected to become quickly over-hunted as a result.
(- continued:) Mekong River Levels
At this time a typically disappointing amount of international pressure is being applied to China to exercise more stringent control on their damning procedure to ensure the countries of the lower Mekong receive acceptable levels of water.