Editing Thimphu (section)

==Geography and climate==
[[File:Thimphu, Bhutan.jpg|left|thumb|Satellite view of Thimphu]]
Thimphu is situated in the constricted, linear valley of the Raidāk River, which is also known as the Thimphu River (''Thim Chuu or Wangchhu''). While the surrounding hills are in an altitudinal range of {{convert|2,000|to(-)|3,800|m|ft|0|abbr=off}} (warm [[temperate climate]] between {{convert|2,000|to(-)|3,000|m|ft|0|abbr=off}} and cold temperate zone between {{convert|3,000|-|3,800|m|ft|0|abbr=off}}), the city itself has an altitude range varying between {{convert|2,248|m|ft|0|abbr=off}} and {{convert|2,648|m|ft|0|abbr=off}}. It is these two variations in altitude and climate which determine the habitable zones and vegetation typology for the valley. The valley, however, is thinly-forested and is spread out to the north and west. At the southern end of the city, the Lungten Zampa bridge connects the east and west banks of the Wang Chuu which flows through the heart of city.<ref name=Dzongkhag/><ref name=plan/><ref name="Brown, p. 98">Brown, p. 98</ref>
{{multiple image
| align = left
| image1 = Thimphu from the south 080907.JPG
| width1 = 180
| alt1 = 
| caption1 = 
| image2 = Thimphu view 080907.JPG
| width2 = 180
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| footer = Left: View of Thimphu from the southeast. Right: the [[Raidāk River]]
}}
The Raidāk River raises in the snow fields at an altitude of about {{convert|7000|m|ft}}. It has many tributaries that flow from the Himalayan peaks that largely dictate the topography of the Thimphu valley. The Thimphu valley, so formed, is delimited by a steep eastern ridge that rises from the riverbed and a valley formation with gradually sloping topography, extending from Dechencholing and Simtokha, on the western banks of the Raidāk. The north–south orientation of the hill ranges of the valley means that they are exposed to moist monsoon winds which engulf the inner Himalayas and its lower valleys. However, the [[windward and leeward]] sides of the hill ranges have different vegetation patterns depending on the varying rainfall incidence in the two sides. Thimphu Valley, lying in the leeward side of the mountains, is comparatively dry and contains a different type of vegetation as compared to the windward side. Hence, the coniferous vegetation in the valley is attributed to this phenomenon. Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan, is on the windward side with broad-leaved trees dominating the topography.<ref name=Dzongkhag/><ref name=Natural/><ref name=plan/>
[[File:Tashichödzong Thimphu-2008-01-23.jpg|right|thumb|A night view of [[Tashichho Dzong]] during snowfall.]]
The city experiences a southwest [[monsoon]]-influenced [[Oceanic climate|subtropical highland climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|''Cwb'']]). The southwest monsoon rainfall occurs during mid-April to September. Lightning and thunder often precedes rainfall in the region with [[cumulonimbus clouds]] and light showers dominating the weather.<ref name=Dzongkhag/><ref name=Natural/> Continuous rainfall for several days occurs resulting in landslides and blockage of roads. Streams and rivers swell up carrying huge amounts of debris from forests. Deep puddles, thick mud, and landslides along roads form barriers to transportation. Cold winds, low temperatures at night, and moderate temperatures during the day, cloudiness, light showers and snowfall mark winter weather in this zone. Fog causes poor visibility, which poses a threat to vehicular traffic in the city.<ref name=Dzongkhag/><ref name=Natural/> As spring approaches, the landscape is marked by violent winds and relatively dry and clear skies.<ref name=Dzongkhag/><ref name=Natural/>

{{climate chart
| Thimphu
|-2.2|14.8|6.3
|0.3|16.6|9.2
|3.8|19.3|20.4
|7.9|22.4|29.9
|11.6|24.8|49.8
|15.3|26.7|97.7
|16.5|27|152.8
|16.1|27.3|120.8
|14.6|26|73.9
|9|23.7|43.1
|3.2|19.7|1.2
|-0.8|16.6|3.7
|float=right
|cl
}}
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Thimphu-Simtokha, elevation {{convert|2310|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1996–2017 normals)
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan high C = 14.8
|Feb high C = 16.6
|Mar high C = 19.3
|Apr high C = 22.4
|May high C = 24.8
|Jun high C = 26.7
|Jul high C = 27.0
|Aug high C = 27.3
|Sep high C = 26.0
|Oct high C = 23.7
|Nov high C = 19.7
|Dec high C = 16.6
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 6.3
|Feb mean C = 8.5
|Mar mean C = 11.6
|Apr mean C = 15.1
|May mean C = 18.2
|Jun mean C = 21.0
|Jul mean C = 21.8
|Aug mean C = 21.7
|Sep mean C = 20.3
|Oct mean C = 16.3
|Nov mean C = 11.5
|Dec mean C = 7.9
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -2.2
|Feb low C = 0.3
|Mar low C = 3.8
|Apr low C = 7.9
|May low C = 11.6
|Jun low C = 15.3
|Jul low C = 16.5
|Aug low C = 16.1
|Sep low C = 14.6
|Oct low C = 9.0
|Nov low C = 3.2
|Dec low C = -0.8
|year low C = 8.0
|Jan record high C = 24.0
|Feb record high C = 25.0
|Mar record high C = 28.0
|Apr record high C = 30.0
|May record high C = 32.2
|Jun record high C = 32.0
|Jul record high C = 33.0
|Aug record high C = 32.5
|Sep record high C = 31.0
|Oct record high C = 31.0
|Nov record high C = 27.0
|Dec record high C = 24.0
|Jan record low C = -8.5
|Feb record low C = -7.0
|Mar record low C = -7.0
|Apr record low C = -2.0
|May record low C = 2.5
|Jun record low C = 8.0
|Jul record low C = 11.0
|Aug record low C = 9.0
|Sep record low C = 6.0
|Oct record low C = -3.0
|Nov record low C = -6.0
|Dec record low C = -7.5
|Jan rain mm = 6.3
|Feb rain mm = 9.2
|Mar rain mm = 20.4
|Apr rain mm = 29.9
|May rain mm = 49.8
|Jun rain mm = 97.7
|Jul rain mm = 152.8
|Aug rain mm = 120.8
|Sep rain mm = 73.9
|Oct rain mm = 43.1
|Nov rain mm = 1.2
|Dec rain mm = 3.7
|rain colour = green
|year rain mm = 608.9
|Jan rain days = 1.1
|Feb rain days = 1.2
|Mar rain days = 3.8
|Apr rain days = 6.2
|May rain days = 8.7
|Jun rain days = 14.2
|Jul rain days = 19.0
|Aug rain days = 16.7
|Sep rain days = 11.7
|Oct rain days = 4.7
|Nov rain days = 0.3
|Dec rain days = 0.7
|year rain days = 
|Jan humidity = 68.6
|Feb humidity = 62.6
|Mar humidity = 62.8
|Apr humidity = 60.2
|May humidity = 63.2
|Jun humidity = 67.0
|Jul humidity = 72.7
|Aug humidity = 72.2
|Sep humidity = 71.2
|Oct humidity = 66.6
|Nov humidity = 62.1
|Dec humidity = 64.0
|source 1 = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nchm.gov.bt/attachment/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Climate%20Data%20Book%20of%20Bhutan%2C%202018.pdf
| title = Climate Data Book of Bhutan, 2018
| publisher = [[National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology]]
| accessdate = July 13, 2021
}}</ref>
|source 2 = World Meteorological Organization (rainy days 1996–2018)<ref>
{{cite web|url = https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=2956|title = World Weather Information Service – Thimphu|publisher= World Meteorological Organization|access-date = 20 February 2025
}}</ref>
}}