{
  "version": "2026-05-04",
  "schema": "months[] is a 12-entry array (Jan..Dec) of best/ok/avoid. monthReasons[] is the matching 12-entry array of reason tags from reasonGlossary. notes is an optional one-liner with caveats.",
  "ratings": {
    "best": "Ideal travel window — favourable weather, manageable crowds.",
    "ok": "Acceptable — shoulder season, mixed conditions, or off-peak with tradeoffs.",
    "avoid": "Challenging — extreme heat/cold, peak monsoon, hurricane heart, or peak crowds + price spikes."
  },
  "reasonGlossary": {
    "dry": { "label": "Dry season", "kind": "positive" },
    "mild": { "label": "Mild weather", "kind": "positive" },
    "bloom": { "label": "Flowers in bloom", "kind": "positive" },
    "aurora": { "label": "Aurora season", "kind": "positive" },
    "wildlife": { "label": "Peak wildlife viewing", "kind": "positive" },
    "festival": { "label": "Major festival", "kind": "positive" },
    "ski": { "label": "Ski season", "kind": "positive" },
    "shoulder": { "label": "Quiet shoulder season", "kind": "neutral" },
    "transitional": { "label": "Transitional season", "kind": "neutral" },
    "monsoon": { "label": "Monsoon rains", "kind": "negative" },
    "wet": { "label": "Heavy rain", "kind": "negative" },
    "heat": { "label": "Extreme heat", "kind": "negative" },
    "humid": { "label": "Heavy humidity", "kind": "negative" },
    "cold": { "label": "Extreme cold", "kind": "negative" },
    "hurricane": { "label": "Hurricane season", "kind": "negative" },
    "cyclone": { "label": "Cyclone season", "kind": "negative" },
    "typhoon": { "label": "Typhoon season", "kind": "negative" },
    "crowds": { "label": "Peak crowds + prices", "kind": "negative" },
    "dust": { "label": "Sandstorms / Harmattan", "kind": "negative" }
  },
  "countries": {
    "Afghanistan": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May and Sep–Nov mildest. Summer dust + heat, winter snow at altitude. Travel advisories apply." },
    "Albania": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","heat","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "May–Jun and Sep–Oct ideal — coast still warm, fewer crowds than Aug." },
    "Algeria": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","mild","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Coast pleasant in spring/autumn; Sahara only Nov–Mar." },
    "Andorra": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","ski"], "notes": "Two seasons: Dec–Mar skiing, Jun–Sep hiking. Apr/May and Oct/Nov are quiet shoulder." },
    "Angola": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "May–Sep dry season; Oct–Apr is the wet/hot rainy half." },
    "Antigua and Barbuda": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","transitional","heat","hurricane","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Aug–Oct is hurricane peak — book flexibly if travelling then." },
    "Argentina": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold","cold","cold","mild","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Patagonia is Dec–Feb only; Buenos Aires + wine country shine in shoulder." },
    "Armenia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Spring + early autumn for sightseeing; winter for ski at Tsaghkadzor." },
    "Australia": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold","cold","mild","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Hugely regional. North = May–Oct; south + Tasmania = Nov–Apr; Outback = Apr–Sep." },
    "Austria": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "Jun–Sep alpine hiking; Dec–Mar skiing; Vienna at its best in May + Sep." },
    "Azerbaijan": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Caspian coast best Apr–Jun + Sep; mountains Jun–Sep; Baku winter cold + windy." },
    "Bahamas": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","heat","heat","hurricane","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Aug–Oct hurricane peak. Dry season Dec–Apr is the sweet spot." },
    "Bahrain": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild"], "notes": "Summer routinely 40°C+ with high humidity — winter only." },
    "Bangladesh": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","heat","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Avoid Jun–Sep monsoon and Apr–May pre-monsoon heat." },
    "Barbados": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","transitional","heat","hurricane","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Aug–Oct hurricane window. Dec–Apr peak season + price." },
    "Belarus": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold"], "notes": "Long dark winters; summer is the realistic visiting window." },
    "Belgium": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","wet","festival"], "notes": "Apr–Sep for everything outdoors; Dec for Christmas markets." },
    "Belize": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","heat","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Dec–May dry; Sep–Oct hurricane risk at peak." },
    "Benin": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Two rainy seasons; Nov–Feb is the universally dry window." },
    "Bhutan": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","bloom","bloom","mild","wet","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May (rhododendrons) and Sep–Nov (clear Himalayan views) are peak." },
    "Bolivia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct dry season — best for Salar de Uyuni and Andes. Wet season floods the salt flat (mirror effect)." },
    "Bosnia and Herzegovina": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","ski","transitional","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Sarajevo is also a winter ski destination Dec–Mar." },
    "Botswana": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","heat","heat","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct dry season — peak wildlife around shrinking water sources." },
    "Brazil": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","festival","mild","transitional","transitional","cold","cold","cold","mild","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Hugely regional. Coast Dec–Mar (hot + lively); Amazon May–Sep dry; Pantanal Jul–Oct." },
    "Brunei": { "months": ["ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","transitional","dry","dry","heat","wet","wet","wet","transitional","wet","wet","wet"], "notes": "No real dry season; Feb–Apr and Sep slightly drier between monsoons." },
    "Bulgaria": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","ski"], "notes": "Summer for Black Sea, winter for Bansko ski." },
    "Burkina Faso": { "months": ["best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","heat","heat","heat","heat","wet","wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Feb cool dry (Harmattan)." },
    "Burundi": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","transitional","dry","dry","dry","transitional","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "Jun–Sep dry season is the practical window." },
    "Cambodia": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","heat","heat","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar cool dry — peak Angkor weather. Apr is brutally hot." },
    "Cameroon": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Feb dry season. Aug peak rains in south." },
    "Canada": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","ski","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","bloom","transitional","ski"], "notes": "Hugely regional. Jun–Sep is universal; Dec–Mar excellent for ski + aurora." },
    "Cape Verde": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","heat","humid","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Trade-wind kitesurf paradise Nov–Jun." },
    "Central African Republic": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar dry window. Travel advisories apply." },
    "Chad": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","heat","wet","wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Feb cool dry; Sahara south brutal in summer." },
    "Chile": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold","ski","cold","mild","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Patagonia Nov–Mar; Atacama year-round; Santiago + wine country in shoulder months." },
    "China": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","bloom","mild","heat","heat","humid","humid","mild","crowds","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Apr–May and Sep–Oct sweet spot. Avoid Golden Week (1st week Oct) crowds." },
    "Colombia": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","wet","wet","wet","dry","dry","wet","wet","wet","dry"], "notes": "Two dry windows: Dec–Mar and Jul–Aug. Caribbean coast almost always pleasant." },
    "Comoros": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct cool dry season. Cyclone risk Jan–Mar." },
    "Congo": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet"], "notes": "Jun–Sep long dry season. Equatorial — temperature stable, rain varies." },
    "Costa Rica": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr dry season. Sep–Oct is the wettest stretch." },
    "Croatia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","crowds","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "May–Jun and Sep–Oct beat Aug — same warm sea, half the crowds." },
    "Cuba": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr dry season. Aug–Sep hurricane peak." },
    "Cyprus": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","mild","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Spring + autumn ideal. Jul–Aug coast still works but it's hot." },
    "Czech Republic": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "Spring + early autumn ideal. Dec for markets." },
    "DR Congo": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet"], "notes": "Jun–Aug long dry season for Virunga + Nyiragongo." },
    "Denmark": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","wet","festival"], "notes": "Jun–Aug for Copenhagen, Bornholm. Dec for hygge + markets." },
    "Djibouti": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild"], "notes": "Avoid Jun–Sep summer (50°C inland). Whale shark season Oct–Jan." },
    "Dominica": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","wet","dry"], "notes": "Jan–Apr drier; Aug–Oct hurricane window." },
    "Dominican Republic": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr peak. Aug–Oct hurricane heart." },
    "Ecuador": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry","dry","transitional","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "Galápagos year-round. Andean highlands driest Jun–Sep." },
    "Egypt": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Oct–Apr only — summer in Luxor / Aswan is brutal (45°C+)." },
    "El Salvador": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr dry. Surf season May–Oct on the Pacific." },
    "Equatorial Guinea": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Feb is the practical drier window." },
    "Eritrea": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","wet","wet","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Highlands year-round mild; Red Sea coast only Sep–Apr." },
    "Estonia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "May–Sep for Tallinn + islands. Dec for snowy Old Town." },
    "Ethiopia": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","wet","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry","dry"], "notes": "Oct–Mar dry. Avoid Jun–Sep heavy rains; Apr–May minor rains." },
    "Fiji": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","cyclone"], "notes": "May–Oct dry, cyclone-free. Jan–Mar wettest + cyclone risk." },
    "Finland": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["aurora","aurora","ski","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","aurora","aurora","cold","aurora"], "notes": "Two seasons: Jun–Aug for white nights, Dec–Mar for aurora + ski." },
    "France": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","ski","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","crowds","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","festival"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct ideal. Aug coast is hot + crowded; Dec–Mar Alps for ski." },
    "Gabon": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet"], "notes": "Jun–Sep long dry season — best for Loango wildlife." },
    "Gambia": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar cool dry. Bird season peaks." },
    "Georgia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","ski"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct for Tbilisi + Caucasus. Dec–Mar excellent ski (Gudauri, Bakuriani)." },
    "Germany": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","festival","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "May–Sep for cities + Bavaria. Sep–Oct Oktoberfest. Dec markets." },
    "Ghana": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","wet","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar Harmattan dry season — best for the south too." },
    "Greece": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","crowds","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "May–Jun + Sep–Oct for islands without crowds. Aug peak chaos." },
    "Grenada": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","wet","dry"], "notes": "Hurricane risk lower than northern Caribbean but Aug–Sep still riskiest." },
    "Guatemala": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr dry. Antigua's Easter week (Holy Week) is iconic but very busy." },
    "Guinea": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar dry. Heaviest rains Jun–Sep make travel difficult." },
    "Guinea-Bissau": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr dry season. Bijagós islands accessible only in dry season." },
    "Guyana": { "months": ["ok","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","dry","dry","transitional","wet","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry","wet","wet"], "notes": "Two dry windows: Sep–Nov (best for Kaieteur) and Feb–Apr." },
    "Haiti": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","wet","wet","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Mar driest. Hurricane season Aug–Oct adds risk to weather concerns." },
    "Honduras": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr dry. Bay Islands diving is good year-round." },
    "Hong Kong": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","mild","humid","typhoon","typhoon","typhoon","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Oct–Apr cool dry. Avoid the muggy summer + typhoon stretch Jun–Sep." },
    "Hungary": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","festival"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct for Budapest. Dec for thermal baths in the snow." },
    "Iceland": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["aurora","aurora","transitional","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","aurora","aurora","aurora","aurora"], "notes": "Two seasons: Jun–Aug (midnight sun + ring road) and Sep–Mar (aurora + ice caves)." },
    "India": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Oct–Mar nationwide; avoid Jun–Sep monsoon and Apr–May extreme heat. Himalayas Jun–Sep is best." },
    "Indonesia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","monsoon"], "notes": "May–Sep dry season — peak for Bali + Java. Apr/Oct shoulder." },
    "Iran": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","bloom","bloom","mild","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May (Persian New Year, blooms) and Sep–Nov classic windows." },
    "Iraq": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May + Oct–Nov manageable; summer 50°C in Basra." },
    "Ireland": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","wet","festival"], "notes": "May–Sep best chance of dry weather — never guaranteed though." },
    "Israel": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","bloom","bloom","mild","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May + Oct–Nov for Jerusalem + Tel Aviv. Eilat warm year-round." },
    "Italy": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","heat","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","festival"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct sweet spot. Aug = locals on holiday + heat. Dec–Feb Alps for ski." },
    "Ivory Coast": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar dry season is the comfortable window. (Officially Côte d'Ivoire.)" },
    "Jamaica": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","wet","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr dry season. Aug–Oct hurricane window." },
    "Japan": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","bloom","bloom","transitional","monsoon","heat","typhoon","typhoon","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May (cherry blossoms) and Oct–Nov (autumn foliage) are iconic. Avoid Jun–Sep humidity + typhoons." },
    "Jordan": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May + Oct–Nov perfect for Petra + Wadi Rum. Summer too hot, winter cold at night." },
    "Kazakhstan": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold"], "notes": "May–Sep across the steppe. Almaty mountains accessible Jun–Sep." },
    "Kenya": { "months": ["best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","transitional","monsoon","monsoon","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","transitional","wet"], "notes": "Jun–Oct = Great Migration in the Mara. Jan–Feb dry + warm. Apr–May long rains." },
    "Kiribati": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct drier window. Equatorial — temperature stable year-round." },
    "Kosovo": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","ski"], "notes": "Apr–Sep for hiking the Accursed Mountains. Dec–Mar for Brezovica ski." },
    "Kuwait": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Mar only. Summer temperatures 45–50°C." },
    "Kyrgyzstan": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold"], "notes": "Jun–Sep for trekking + horse trips. Sep ideal for clear views and lower crowds." },
    "Laos": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","heat","heat","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Feb cool dry — Luang Prabang at its best." },
    "Latvia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "May–Sep for Riga + the coast. Dec for snowy Old Town + markets." },
    "Lebanon": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","ski","transitional","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","ski"], "notes": "Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct ideal. Mt Lebanon ski Dec–Mar." },
    "Lesotho": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","mild","mild","cold","ski","ski","ski","mild","mild","wet","wet"], "notes": "Mar–May + Sep–Nov mildest. Winters cold + snowy at altitude — Afriski Jun–Aug." },
    "Liberia": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr dry season. One of the wettest countries in West Africa in season." },
    "Libya": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May + Oct–Nov. Travel advisories apply." },
    "Liechtenstein": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","ski"], "notes": "Jun–Sep for hiking; Dec–Mar for Malbun ski." },
    "Lithuania": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "May–Sep for Vilnius + Curonian Spit." },
    "Luxembourg": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","wet","festival"], "notes": "Apr–Sep best. Mullerthal hiking spectacular in shoulder months." },
    "Macao": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","mild","humid","typhoon","typhoon","typhoon","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Oct–Apr cool dry. Same climate as Hong Kong. Summer typhoons + heat." },
    "Madagascar": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","cyclone"], "notes": "Apr–Oct cool dry. Avoid Jan–Mar cyclone season." },
    "Malawi": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","heat","heat","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct dry — best for Liwonde safari + Lake Malawi." },
    "Malaysia": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","wet","dry","wet","monsoon","monsoon"], "notes": "West coast Mar–Sep; east coast Mar–Oct. Highlands year-round." },
    "Maldives": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr dry season — calm seas, great visibility." },
    "Mali": { "months": ["best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","heat","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Feb cool dry (Harmattan). Travel advisories apply in much of country." },
    "Malta": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","best","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","crowds","mild","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct ideal. Aug peak heat + crowds." },
    "Marshall Islands": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr drier. Equatorial — diving good year-round." },
    "Mauritania": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","transitional","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Mar cooler. Sahara Desert Express train Dec–Feb." },
    "Mauritius": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","cyclone"], "notes": "May–Dec cool dry. Cyclone risk Jan–Mar." },
    "Mexico": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","heat","wet","wet","wet","hurricane","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr dry. Aug–Oct hurricane risk on both coasts." },
    "Micronesia": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr drier. Diving conditions consistent year-round." },
    "Moldova": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","festival","transitional","cold"], "notes": "May–Jun + Sep–Oct for wine country (Cricova, Mileștii Mici)." },
    "Monaco": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","festival","mild","crowds","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct. May for the Grand Prix, but expect a price spike." },
    "Mongolia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","festival","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold"], "notes": "Jun–Sep is the only realistic window. Naadam festival mid-Jul." },
    "Montenegro": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","crowds","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "May–Jun + Sep–Oct for Bay of Kotor without Aug crowds." },
    "Morocco": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","bloom","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May + Sep–Nov ideal. Marrakech + Sahara summers brutal; mountains snowy in winter." },
    "Mozambique": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "Apr–Sep cool dry. Avoid Jan–Mar cyclone risk." },
    "Myanmar": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","heat","heat","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Feb cool dry. Travel advisories apply." },
    "Namibia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","heat","heat","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct dry season — peak for Etosha wildlife and dunes." },
    "Nauru": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct drier; tiny island, conditions stable." },
    "Nepal": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","bloom","bloom","mild","wet","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Oct–Nov + Mar–May classic trekking windows. Monsoon Jun–Aug obscures Himalayan views." },
    "Netherlands": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","wet","festival"], "notes": "Apr (tulips at Keukenhof) + May–Sep ideal." },
    "New Zealand": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","ski","ski","ski","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Apr summer/autumn. South Island Dec–Feb peak. Jun–Aug ski season." },
    "Nicaragua": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr dry. Sep–Oct rainy + hurricane risk." },
    "Niger": { "months": ["best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","heat","wet","wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Feb cool Harmattan. Travel advisories apply." },
    "Nigeria": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar dry across most of the country." },
    "North Korea": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","heat","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Tourism is heavily restricted. Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct mildest if access opens." },
    "North Macedonia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","ski"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct for Ohrid + mountains. Dec–Mar Mavrovo ski." },
    "Norway": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["aurora","aurora","ski","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","aurora","aurora","cold","aurora"], "notes": "Two seasons: Jun–Aug for fjords + midnight sun, Dec–Mar for aurora + ski." },
    "Oman": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Mar across the country. Salalah unique Khareef monsoon Jul–Sep — green + cool." },
    "Pakistan": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","bloom","mild","heat","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May + Sep–Nov for plains. Karakoram + Hunza Jun–Aug only." },
    "Palau": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr drier — calmer seas + better viz for diving." },
    "Palestine": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","bloom","bloom","mild","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May + Oct–Nov ideal. Same climate as Israel." },
    "Panama": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr dry season. Bocas del Toro slightly different — drier Sep–Oct on Caribbean side." },
    "Papua New Guinea": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct dry — best for Highlands trekking + Sepik river." },
    "Paraguay": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["heat","heat","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","heat","heat"], "notes": "May–Sep cool dry. Summer is brutal humidity + heat." },
    "Peru": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "May–Sep dry — Inca Trail + Machu Picchu peak. Wet season floods trails." },
    "Philippines": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","heat","wet","wet","typhoon","typhoon","typhoon","wet","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr dry. Aug–Oct typhoon peak; Jul–Aug surf season Siargao." },
    "Poland": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "May–Sep for cities + Tatras hiking. Dec for snowy Krakow + markets." },
    "Portugal": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","bloom","mild","mild","crowds","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Mar–Jun + Sep–Oct ideal. Algarve Jul–Aug crowded but warm; Madeira year-round." },
    "Qatar": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Mar only. Summer routinely 45°C+." },
    "Romania": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","festival"], "notes": "May–Jun + Sep–Oct for Transylvania + Painted Monasteries. Dec for Christmas markets." },
    "Russia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "May–Sep across European Russia + Trans-Sib. Dec–Mar viable in Moscow/SPB if you embrace winter." },
    "Rwanda": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["wildlife","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wet","wet","wet","wildlife"], "notes": "Jun–Sep + Dec–Feb dry — best for gorilla trekking." },
    "Saint Kitts and Nevis": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","wet","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr dry; Aug–Oct hurricane risk." },
    "Saint Lucia": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","wet","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr peak season. Aug–Sep hurricane risk." },
    "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","heat","hurricane","hurricane","transitional","wet","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr peak; sailing the Grenadines spectacular in dry months." },
    "Samoa": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","cyclone"], "notes": "May–Oct cool dry. Cyclone risk Nov–Apr." },
    "San Marino": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","heat","heat","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "May–Jun + Sep–Oct ideal for the historic centre." },
    "Sao Tome and Principe": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","wet","wet","wet","dry","dry","dry","wet","wet","wet","dry"], "notes": "Two drier windows: Jun–Sep gravana + Dec–Feb. Equatorial — temperature stable." },
    "Saudi Arabia": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Mar across most of the country. AlUla cooler. Avoid Hajj week if not on pilgrimage." },
    "Senegal": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","heat","monsoon","monsoon","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–May cool dry. Music festivals concentrated in dry season." },
    "Serbia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","festival","mild","mild","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "Apr–Sep for Belgrade + Novi Sad (EXIT festival Jul). Dec for the Soviet-style winter charm." },
    "Seychelles": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "Apr–May + Oct–Nov are calmest transition months — best diving viz." },
    "Sierra Leone": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","dry","heat","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Apr dry. Beach season at Tokeh + River No. 2." },
    "Singapore": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","transitional","dry","dry","humid","humid","dry","dry","humid","humid","wet","wet"], "notes": "Equatorial — pleasant year-round. Feb–Apr + Jul–Aug slightly drier." },
    "Slovakia": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "Jun–Sep for Tatras hiking; Dec–Mar for Jasná ski." },
    "Slovenia": { "months": ["best","best","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","ski"], "notes": "Jun–Sep for Bled + Soča Valley; Dec–Mar Kranjska Gora ski." },
    "Solomon Islands": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","cyclone"], "notes": "May–Oct dry. Cyclone risk Nov–Apr." },
    "Somalia": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar dry. Travel advisories apply across most of the country." },
    "South Africa": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","mild","wildlife","cold","wildlife","wildlife","mild","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Year-round options. Cape Nov–Mar; Kruger May–Oct dry for safari." },
    "South Korea": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","humid","monsoon","monsoon","transitional","mild","mild","ski"], "notes": "Apr–May (cherry blossom) + Sep–Nov (autumn). Dec–Feb for skiing + winter food culture." },
    "South Sudan": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","heat","wet","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Mar dry. Travel advisories apply across most of the country." },
    "Spain": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","heat","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct ideal. Aug = locals on holiday + extreme heat in Madrid/Seville." },
    "Sri Lanka": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","transitional","monsoon","monsoon","dry","dry","wet","wet","dry","dry"], "notes": "Two monsoons split the island — south/west Dec–Mar; east/north May–Sep." },
    "Sudan": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","transitional","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Feb cool dry. Travel advisories apply." },
    "Suriname": { "months": ["ok","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","best","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","dry","dry","transitional","wet","monsoon","monsoon","dry","dry","dry","wet","wet"], "notes": "Two dry windows: Aug–Nov (longer + drier) + Feb–Apr (shorter)." },
    "Swaziland": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","wet","wet"], "notes": "May–Sep cool dry — best for hiking + safari park. (Officially Eswatini.)" },
    "Sweden": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["aurora","aurora","ski","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","transitional","cold","festival"], "notes": "Jun–Aug for archipelago + midnight sun. Dec–Mar for aurora + Lapland ice hotel." },
    "Switzerland": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","ski"], "notes": "Jun–Sep alpine hiking; Dec–Mar ski. May + Oct quiet shoulder." },
    "Syria": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Mar–May + Oct–Nov mildest. Travel advisories apply across most of the country." },
    "Taiwan": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","mild","humid","heat","typhoon","typhoon","typhoon","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Oct–Apr ideal. Avoid Jul–Sep typhoon season." },
    "Tajikistan": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","cold","transitional","transitional","mild","mild","mild","transitional","transitional","cold","cold"], "notes": "Jun–Sep for Pamir Highway + Fan Mountains." },
    "Tanzania": { "months": ["best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","best","best","best","best","best","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["wildlife","wildlife","transitional","monsoon","monsoon","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","transitional","wildlife"], "notes": "Jun–Oct great wildebeest crossings. Jan–Feb calving season in Ndutu. Apr–May long rains." },
    "Thailand": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","heat","heat","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","monsoon","wet","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Feb cool dry across most of the country. Mar–May extreme heat; Jun–Oct rains. Andaman vs Gulf coasts have inverted seasons." },
    "Timor-Leste": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet"], "notes": "May–Nov dry. Atauro Island diving Apr–Nov." },
    "Togo": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","wet","wet","monsoon","monsoon","wet","transitional","dry","dry"], "notes": "Nov–Mar Harmattan dry. Avoid Jun–Sep heaviest rains." },
    "Tonga": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","transitional","dry","dry","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","transitional","cyclone"], "notes": "Apr–Nov cool dry. Humpback whale swimming season Jul–Oct." },
    "Trinidad and Tobago": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","festival","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","dry"], "notes": "Jan–May dry. Carnival in Feb/Mar is the cultural peak." },
    "Tunisia": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct ideal. Sahara only Oct–Mar." },
    "Turkey": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","heat","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","cold"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct for Istanbul + Cappadocia. Coast warm into Oct." },
    "Turkmenistan": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Apr–May + Sep–Oct mildest. Door to Hell crater best at night, year-round." },
    "Tuvalu": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct slightly drier. Tiny atoll — conditions consistent." },
    "Uganda": { "months": ["ok","best","ok","ok","ok","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","wildlife","transitional","wet","wet","wildlife","wildlife","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wildlife"], "notes": "Two dry windows: Jun–Aug + Dec–Feb — best for gorilla trekking." },
    "Ukraine": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold"], "notes": "May–Sep for Lviv + Kyiv. Travel advisories apply." },
    "United Arab Emirates": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Mar across the country. Summer 45°C+ with high humidity in Dubai/AD." },
    "United Kingdom": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","bloom","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","transitional","wet","festival"], "notes": "May–Sep best chance of sun. Edinburgh Festival in August, but pricey + crowded." },
    "United States": { "months": ["best","best","best","best","best","best","best","best","best","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["ski","ski","bloom","bloom","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","mild","ski"], "notes": "Hugely regional. South + Hawaii Nov–Apr; New England + PNW Jun–Sep; SW deserts Oct–Apr; Rockies ski Dec–Mar." },
    "Uruguay": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","transitional","cold","cold","cold","cold","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Nov–Mar for Punta del Este + Atlantic coast." },
    "Uzbekistan": { "months": ["ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","cold"], "notes": "Apr–Jun + Sep–Oct for Silk Road cities (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva)." },
    "Vanuatu": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","best","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["cyclone","cyclone","cyclone","transitional","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","dry","transitional","cyclone"], "notes": "May–Oct cool dry. Cyclone risk Nov–Apr." },
    "Vatican": { "months": ["ok","ok","ok","best","best","best","ok","avoid","best","best","ok","ok"], "monthReasons": ["cold","cold","transitional","festival","mild","mild","heat","crowds","mild","mild","transitional","festival"], "notes": "Same climate as Rome. Holy Week (Easter) + Christmas are special but extremely crowded." },
    "Venezuela": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","dry","transitional","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","wet","transitional","dry"], "notes": "Dec–Apr dry. Angel Falls best Jun–Dec when there's enough water." },
    "Vietnam": { "months": ["best","best","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","ok","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["dry","dry","heat","heat","heat","monsoon","monsoon","wet","typhoon","typhoon","dry","dry"], "notes": "Country splits into 3 climates. North Oct–Apr; Centre Feb–Apr; South Dec–Apr." },
    "Yemen": { "months": ["best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid","avoid","avoid","ok","best","best","best"], "monthReasons": ["mild","mild","mild","heat","heat","heat","heat","heat","transitional","mild","mild","mild"], "notes": "Oct–Apr cool dry. Travel advisories apply." },
    "Zambia": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","heat","heat","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct dry season — peak for Victoria Falls (high water Apr/May, low Sep/Oct) and South Luangwa safari." },
    "Zimbabwe": { "months": ["avoid","avoid","ok","ok","best","best","best","best","best","ok","ok","avoid"], "monthReasons": ["wet","wet","transitional","transitional","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","wildlife","heat","heat","wet"], "notes": "May–Oct dry. Vic Falls flow peak Apr–May; safari peak Aug–Oct." }
  }
}