India Weather by Month
India, located in South Asia, is the seventh-largest country in the world by area and the second-most populous, bordered by Pakistan to the west, China and Nepal to the north, Bhutan to the northeast, Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east, and surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the south. The country’s geography is highly diverse, ranging from the towering Himalayas in the north, to the fertile Gangetic Plains, the arid Thar Desert, tropical rainforests in the northeast, and the coastal plains along the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
India’s climate is mainly classified as tropical monsoon, though it varies considerably across the country due to factors such as elevation and latitude. The primary seasons in India are:
- Winter (December to February): Cool and dry, with lower temperatures in northern India and mild weather in the south.
- Summer (Pre-Monsoon) (March to May): Hot and dry, especially in central and northern India.
- Monsoon (Rainy Season) (June to September): Heavy rainfall, particularly in western and eastern India.
- Post-Monsoon (October to November): Transition between monsoon and winter, marked by retreating rains and cooler temperatures.
Each region in India experiences these seasons differently due to its diverse geography. Let’s explore the month-by-month weather across different regions of India.
January
Weather Overview
January is one of the coldest months in India, particularly in the north. However, temperatures remain mild in southern and coastal regions. The weather is generally dry across the country, with some snowfall in the northern mountains.
Northern India (Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab)
- Temperature: 5°C to 20°C (41°F to 68°F)
- Rainfall: 10-30 mm
- Weather: Cool to cold. Delhi and cities in northern India experience chilly mornings and evenings, with fog and occasional rain. The Himalayan regions like Kashmir and Manali receive snowfall, making it peak winter in the mountains.
Western India (Mumbai, Gujarat, Rajasthan)
- Temperature: 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. Mumbai and Gujarat experience warm days and cooler nights. This is a pleasant time for travel in Rajasthan, where cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur are cooler and ideal for sightseeing.
Southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka)
- Temperature: 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 10-50 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry. Kerala and Tamil Nadu experience pleasant weather with occasional rain. Bangalore and Chennai enjoy comfortable temperatures, making it a great time to explore southern India.
Eastern and Northeastern India (West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya)
- Temperature: 12°C to 25°C (54°F to 77°F)
- Rainfall: 10-40 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry. Kolkata and Guwahati have cooler mornings and pleasant days, with dry weather throughout most of January. Meghalaya experiences cool but clear conditions.
February
Weather Overview
February is part of the winter season across India, but temperatures start to rise, particularly in the central and southern regions. The weather remains dry in most areas, and this is one of the best months to visit India for outdoor activities.
Northern India
- Temperature: 8°C to 23°C (46°F to 73°F)
- Rainfall: 10-20 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry. Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi experience cooler mornings and evenings with warmer afternoons. Snowfall continues in the Himalayas, making it a good time for winter sports.
Western India
- Temperature: 17°C to 32°C (63°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. Mumbai and Goa have warm days, ideal for beach trips. Rajasthan remains pleasant for tourism, with warm, sunny days and cooler nights.
Southern India
- Temperature: 22°C to 32°C (72°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 10-50 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka experience warm days and mild nights, making it a popular time to visit hill stations like Munnar and Ooty.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
- Rainfall: 10-30 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry. Kolkata, Guwahati, and Shillong experience mild temperatures, making it one of the best times to visit northeastern India.
March
Weather Overview
March marks the beginning of the summer season in India, particularly in northern and central India. Temperatures begin to rise, and the weather remains dry across most of the country.
Northern India
- Temperature: 12°C to 28°C (54°F to 82°F)
- Rainfall: 10-30 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur experience warm afternoons and mild mornings. Himalayan regions begin to thaw, though higher elevations still experience snowfall.
Western India
- Temperature: 20°C to 34°C (68°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry. Mumbai and Goa experience rising temperatures, with pleasant evenings. Rajasthan becomes warmer but is still suitable for travel.
Southern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 34°C (75°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 10-40 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. Kerala and Tamil Nadu experience hot days, but hill stations remain cooler and comfortable. Bangalore and Chennai see rising temperatures, but it’s still an ideal time to visit.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 10-50 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. Kolkata and Assam experience warm, sunny weather, with low humidity and occasional rain showers in the hilly regions.
April
Weather Overview
April is a hot and dry month across much of India, with temperatures continuing to rise, particularly in northern and central India. Coastal and southern regions remain warm but bearable.
Northern India
- Temperature: 18°C to 35°C (64°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 10-20 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry. Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra experience high daytime temperatures. In the Himalayas, snow begins to melt, and trekking routes start to open.
Western India
- Temperature: 24°C to 36°C (75°F to 97°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Very hot and dry. Mumbai and Goa experience hot days, but coastal breezes offer some relief. Rajasthan becomes increasingly hot, with desert cities like Jaisalmer experiencing soaring temperatures.
Southern India
- Temperature: 25°C to 36°C (77°F to 97°F)
- Rainfall: 20-60 mm
- Weather: Warm and humid. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are hot, but higher elevations like Ooty and Coorg remain pleasant. The coastal cities of Chennai and Kochi experience rising humidity.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 22°C to 33°C (72°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 30-80 mm
- Weather: Warm with increasing rain. Kolkata and Assam experience hot days, with pre-monsoon showers in the northeastern states, particularly in Meghalaya and Nagaland.
May
Weather Overview
May is one of the hottest months in India, with extremely high temperatures across the northern plains and western regions. The first signs of the Southwest Monsoon begin to appear in the southern and northeastern parts of the country.
Northern India
- Temperature: 22°C to 40°C (72°F to 104°F)
- Rainfall: 10-20 mm
- Weather: Extremely hot and dry. Delhi, Jaipur, and Lucknow experience scorching temperatures, with heatwaves in many parts of northern India. Higher elevations in the Himalayas provide some relief.
Western India
- Temperature: 26°C to 38°C (79°F to 100°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Very hot and dry. Mumbai and Gujarat experience high temperatures, but coastal breezes offer some respite. Rajasthan is extremely hot, with desert cities experiencing severe heat.
Southern India
- Temperature: 26°C to 36°C (79°F to 97°F)
- Rainfall: 30-100 mm
- Weather: Hot with increasing humidity. Kerala and Tamil Nadu experience pre-monsoon showers, especially in coastal areas. Hill stations like Munnar and Ooty remain cooler.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 35°C (75°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 50-150 mm
- Weather: Warm with heavy pre-monsoon rain. Kolkata, Assam, and Meghalaya experience thunderstorms and rising humidity as the pre-monsoon season begins.
June
Weather Overview
June marks the onset of the Southwest Monsoon in southern and western India, bringing significant rainfall to coastal regions and a decrease in temperatures. Northern and central India remain hot until the monsoon reaches these areas later in the month.
Northern India
- Temperature: 25°C to 38°C (77°F to 100°F)
- Rainfall: 20-60 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry, with the onset of monsoon toward the end of the month. Delhi and northern cities remain hot, but pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms begin to cool down the region.
Western India
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 100-300 mm
- Weather: Wet and cooler. Mumbai and Goa experience the beginning of the monsoon, with heavy rainfall reducing the heat. The western coastal regions see significant rainfall, especially toward the end of June.
Southern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 200-500 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid. The Southwest Monsoon hits Kerala and Karnataka early in June, bringing torrential rains and cooler temperatures. Chennai and Bangalore also experience significant rainfall.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 200-500 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid. The monsoon arrives in Kolkata, Assam, and Meghalaya, with heavy rains and thunderstorms. Flooding can occur in some areas of northeastern India.
July
Weather Overview
July is part of the peak monsoon season in most of India, with heavy rainfall across the country, particularly in the western coastal regions, southern states, and the northeastern states.
Northern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 34°C (75°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 150-300 mm
- Weather: Wet and cooler. Delhi, Jaipur, and Varanasi experience frequent rain showers, with the monsoon bringing relief from the summer heat. The Himalayan foothills also experience significant rainfall.
Western India
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 400-700 mm
- Weather: Heavy rain. Mumbai and Goa receive torrential monsoon rains, causing potential flooding in low-lying areas. The Western Ghats experience some of the heaviest rainfall in the country.
Southern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 300-600 mm
- Weather: Very wet and humid. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka experience heavy monsoon rains, with high humidity and cooler temperatures in the hills.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 400-600 mm
- Weather: Very wet and humid. The northeast sees heavy rainfall, particularly in Meghalaya and Assam, which are among the wettest places in the world during the monsoon.
August
Weather Overview
August continues the monsoon season, with heavy rainfall in most parts of India. The west coast, southern states, and northeastern regions continue to experience significant rain, while northern India remains cooler and wetter.
Northern India
- Temperature: 23°C to 33°C (73°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 150-250 mm
- Weather: Wet and cool. Delhi and the Gangetic Plains experience frequent rain showers, reducing the heat. The Himalayas are prone to landslides due to the heavy rain.
Western India
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 400-700 mm
- Weather: Heavy rain and cooler temperatures. Mumbai, Goa, and the Western Ghats experience ongoing monsoon rains, with occasional dry spells. Coastal flooding and landslides are possible.
Southern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 300-500 mm
- Weather: Very wet and humid. Kerala and Tamil Nadu continue to receive heavy rain, and hill stations remain cooler. The Nilgiri Hills experience lush greenery during this time.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 400-600 mm
- Weather: Very wet. Kolkata, Assam, and Meghalaya experience torrential rains, with possible flooding in low-lying areas. The northeastern states are lush and green, but landslides can occur.
September
Weather Overview
September marks the retreating monsoon, with rainfall gradually decreasing toward the end of the month. Northern and western India start to dry up, while southern and eastern regions still experience rain.
Northern India
- Temperature: 22°C to 33°C (72°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 100-200 mm
- Weather: Wet but improving. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur experience fewer rain showers as the monsoon retreats. The weather becomes more comfortable as temperatures cool.
Western India
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 200-400 mm
- Weather: Wet with decreasing rainfall. Mumbai and Goa see less rainfall toward the end of September, marking the end of the monsoon season.
Southern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 200-400 mm
- Weather: Wet but improving. Kerala and Tamil Nadu still receive significant rainfall, but conditions begin to dry out later in the month. Hill stations remain cooler.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 300-500 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid. The northeast continues to receive heavy rain, though the intensity decreases by the end of the month. The region remains lush and green.
October
Weather Overview
October is part of the post-monsoon season, with decreasing rainfall and cooler temperatures. It is an excellent time to visit many parts of India, as the weather becomes more pleasant.
Northern India
- Temperature: 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 20-100 mm
- Weather: Dry and pleasant. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur experience clear skies and cooler temperatures. It’s an ideal time for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Western India
- Temperature: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 50-150 mm
- Weather: Dry and warm. Mumbai and Goa experience the end of the monsoon, with sunny weather and pleasant temperatures, making it a good time for travel.
Southern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 150-300 mm
- Weather: Warm with occasional rain. Kerala and Tamil Nadu experience the end of the monsoon, with decreasing rainfall and more sunshine. Hill stations remain cool and pleasant.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 150-300 mm
- Weather: Warm with occasional rain. Kolkata and Assam experience the retreating monsoon, with occasional rain showers but improving weather by the end of the month.
November
Weather Overview
November is the beginning of the winter season in northern India, with cooler temperatures and dry weather across most of the country. The Northeast Monsoon brings rain to the southeastern coast, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
Northern India
- Temperature: 12°C to 27°C (54°F to 81°F)
- Rainfall: 10-20 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur experience mild, pleasant weather, making it one of the best times to visit northern India. The Himalayan foothills begin to cool down.
Western India
- Temperature: 22°C to 32°C (72°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. Mumbai and Goa enjoy warm, sunny weather, making it an ideal time for beach vacations and festivals.
Southern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 100-300 mm
- Weather: Warm with rain in the southeast. Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala receive rain from the Northeast Monsoon, while Bangalore and Chennai experience cooler temperatures.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 20°C to 29°C (68°F to 84°F)
- Rainfall: 30-80 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry. Kolkata and northeastern states experience cool, pleasant weather, with clear skies and decreasing humidity.
December
Weather Overview
December is part of the winter season, with cool, dry weather in northern India and mild temperatures in the south. The Northeast Monsoon continues to affect southeastern India.
Northern India
- Temperature: 8°C to 23°C (46°F to 73°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Cold and dry. Delhi, Agra, and the northern plains experience cold mornings and evenings, with clear skies and pleasant afternoons. Snowfall begins in the Himalayan regions.
Western India
- Temperature: 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. Mumbai and Goa enjoy perfect beach weather, with warm, sunny days and cooler evenings.
Southern India
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 100-250 mm
- Weather: Warm with occasional rain. Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala continue to experience rain from the Northeast Monsoon, while hill stations remain cool and pleasant.
Eastern and Northeastern India
- Temperature: 15°C to 26°C (59°F to 79°F)
- Rainfall: 10-50 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry. Kolkata and the northeastern states experience cool, comfortable weather, making it a great time for outdoor activities.
