Lake Khövsgöl Хөвсгөл нуур
Lake Khövsgöl is a rift lake located in the Khövsgöl Province of Mongolia. Spanning an area of 2,760 square kilometers and sitting at an elevation of 1,645 meters, the lake is one of the most looked-up sights in Mongolia. It is notable for its size, with a length of 136,000 meters.
Planning a visit
The most suitable time to visit is during the warmer months of June, July, and August. During this time, daily high temperatures range from 11 °C to 13 °C. Visitors should be prepared for rain, as July sees about 20 rainy days and August sees about 16. The rest of the year is significantly colder, with temperatures frequently dropping well below freezing, reaching lows of -22 °C in January.
To reach the lake, travelers can fly to Mörön Airport, which is 162 kilometers away. For international arrivals, Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan International Airport is the primary hub, located 597 kilometers from the lake. The lake itself is situated 582 kilometers from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 13 °C. The wettest is July, with about 99 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -18 | -14 | -8 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 3 | -4 | -14 |
| Average low, °C | -22 | -20 | -14 | -7 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 5 | -1 | -8 | -18 |
| Rainfall, mm | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 58 | 99 | 83 | 54 | 18 | 12 | 3 |
| Rainy days | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 20 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
