India Weather
Facts of India Climate & Weather
Main Climatic Zone: Tropical monsoon climate Climatic Features: Most of India is dominated by tropical monsoon climate and it is hot all year around; three distinct seasons can be observed: the cool season, the hot season, and the rainy season. Hottest Month: May; Warmest City: Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan: 48℃ (118℉) Coolest Month: December or January; Coldest Place: Dras in Ladakh: -45℃ (-49℉)Most parts of India feature typical tropical monsoon climate and remains hot throughout the year. Under the influence of monsoons, India has three seasons: the cool season or winter; the hot season or summer; and the monsoon season or the rainy season.
When the northeast monsoon blows from inland to the sea, the hot season starts and the air is dry. It lasts from March to May, with extremely high temperature which is often over 40℃ (104℉).
When the southwest monsoon blows from the sea to the land, the rainy season starts. It lasts from June to October with a lot of moisture and rich rainfall. India’s most rainfall occur during the rainy season, accounting for about 80% of the annual precipitation.
When the monsoon fades in October, India welcomes the most comfortable time, the cool season or winter from November to February. The Himalayas just protects India from cold currents and thus no chill weather exists in winter. The temperature generally hovers around 12-28°C (54-82℉), remaining warm during the day but cool at night.
See more about Delhi Weather, Mumbai Weather3-Day Weather Forecast of Major Cities
Best Time to Visit India
The cool season from November to February is generally the most comfortable time to travel to India. During the period, the weather keeps relatively cool as the temperature keeps about 25-28°C (77-82℉) during the day while it lowers to around 12-16°C (54-61℉) at night. It hardly rains and the humidity is also relatively low. The rest of the year is either too hot or too rainy for a visit.
The best visit time differs slightly in different regions. For beach lovers, it is recommended to avoid the rainy season and the best time to have fun on Goa’s beaches is always between December and March. However, for hikers and trekkers, the best time to explore the Himalayas mountainous areas is June to November.
The best visit time differs slightly in different regions. For beach lovers, it is recommended to avoid the rainy season and the best time to have fun on Goa’s beaches is always between December and March. However, for hikers and trekkers, the best time to explore the Himalayas mountainous areas is June to November.
| Month | Travel Recommendation | Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| January |  | Cool Season | 12-25°C (54-77℉) |
| February |  | Cool Season | 14-27°C (57-81℉) |
| March |  | Hot Season | 18-31°C (64-88℉) |
| April |  | Hot Season | 22-35°C (72-95℉) |
| May | | Hot Season | 24-36°C (75-97℉) |
| June | | Rainy Season | 25-34°C (77-93℉) |
| July | | Rainy Season | 24-31°C (75-88℉) |
| August | | Rainy Season | 24-31°C (75-88℉) |
| September | | Rainy Season | 23-31°C (73-88℉) |
| October | | Rainy Season | 20-31°C (68-88℉) |
| November | | Cool Season | 16-28°C (61-82℉) |
| December | | Cool Season | 12-25°C (54-77℉) |
Monthly Weather of India – Average Temperature & Rainfall
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Regional Weather of India
India is a vast country with different terrains. Though most of the country is dominated by the tropical monsoon climate, some other climate can also be observed in India, including: the alpine climate in the northwest and northeast regions with an altitude of over 3,500 meters (11,483 ft.); the humid subtropical climate in the Ganga-Brahmaputra river basin region; the arid climate in the west Thar Desert; and the tropical rainforest climate in coastal lowlands of the southern Indian peninsula. Below we just briefly introduce the weather conditions in most parts of India.
Northern India – Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, the Himalayas
Major Destinations: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Varanasi, and the Himalayas… Weather Review: North India is landlocked and the weather patterns are greatly influenced by the Himalayas. In general, the Northern India is characterized by three distinct seasons. In the winter between October and March, it is cool and dry and it is extremely hot in the hot season from April to June. The monsoon season falling between July and September, has much rainfall and high humidity. Travel Recommendation: The cool season from October to March is the best time to explore old Delhi’s iconic mosques, enjoy the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra, and pay a visit to gorgeous palaces in the Pink City of Jaipur. Northern India not only allures visitors with its cool and balmy weather, but also attracts them with a lot of cultural events, such as the colorful Holi Festival in March. Generally, it is suggested to avoid going there in the scorching summer which has unbearable high temperature often over 40℃ (104℉). However, visitors can head to the Himalayas as the summer is the best time to hike there. Southern India – Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Goa
Major Destinations: Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Kerala… Weather Review: Surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, Southern India has more tropical weather features and higher temperature and humidity can be expected. The temperature ranges about 18-34℃ (64-93℉). Generally, there are 4 seasons: the winter from December to February, the summer from March to May, the rainy season from June to September, and the post-monsoon season between October and November. Travel Recommendation: There is no doubt that the best time to visit Southern India is the winter from December to February when the weather is mild and dry. Travelers can appreciate the stunning skylines and gorgeous colonial buildings in Mumbai, explore bars and pubs in Bangalore, and enjoy the warm sunshine on Goa's fine beaches.
Cyclone Season in India
India’s east regions and coastal cities are vulnerable to being attacked by cyclones which generally land in the months of May-June and October-November. Visitors should pay close attention to the real-time weather forecast if visiting during the period.
- Last updated on Apr. 21, 2023 by Kate Liu -