India Climate Guide: Month by Month & Region by Region

India spans 3,214 kilometers north to south and experiences six climatically distinct regions governed by the southwest monsoon cycle, the northeast monsoon, and altitude-driven temperature zones. The Himalayas create a barrier preventing cold Central Asian air masses from entering most of the subcontinent while trapping moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds against their southern slopes. The Thar Desert receives under 150 millimeters of annual rainfall. The Western Ghats intercept monsoon clouds moving inland from the Arabian Sea, creating rain shadow effects that leave the Deccan Plateau substantially drier than the coastal strip. Mawsynram in Meghalaya holds the record for highest average annual rainfall on Earth at approximately 11,872 millimeters, measured over the standard 1981-2010 climate normal period. The Indo-Gangetic Plain experiences temperature swings exceeding 40 degrees Celsius between January minimums and May maximums in cities like New Delhi.

January marks the coldest month across northern India. New Delhi records average minimum temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius with occasional fog reducing visibility to under 50 meters during early morning hours. The Himalayas remain under snow cover above 2,500 meters. Kedarnath and Badrinath temples close to pilgrims due to inaccessible roads blocked by snowfall exceeding two meters in depth. Jaipur sees daytime temperatures reaching 22 degrees Celsius with minimal rainfall. Mumbai records average temperatures of 24 degrees Celsius with humidity below 60 percent and virtually no precipitation. Chennai receives the tail end of the northeast monsoon with average January rainfall of 25 millimeters. Kolkata experiences morning fog and temperatures between 12 and 26 degrees Celsius. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands maintain steady temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius with calm seas. Kaziranga National Park in Assam becomes accessible on elephant back as floodwaters from the Brahmaputra River recede and tall grasslands dry out. Gir National Park in Gujarat enters peak wildlife viewing season as reduced vegetation cover makes Asiatic lion sightings more frequent near water sources. Varanasi records minimum temperatures of 9 degrees Celsius with dense fog over the Ganges River during dawn hours.

February continues dry conditions across most regions. The Thar Desert surrounding Jaisalmer experiences daytime temperatures climbing to 28 degrees Celsius while nights remain cool at 10 degrees Celsius. New Delhi warms to average maximums of 23 degrees Celsius. The Western Ghats receive negligible rainfall and trekking routes through the Nilgiri Hills remain fully accessible. Bangalore records temperatures between 15 and 28 degrees Celsius. Kochi experiences average temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius with humidity rising slightly as the transition period approaches. Ranthambore National Park sees concentrated tiger activity around shrinking water bodies as the dry season progresses. The Sundarbans Delta maintains water levels suitable for boat access through narrow channels where Royal Bengal tigers inhabit mangrove forests spanning approximately 10,000 square kilometers across Indian territory. Bodh Gaya records daytime temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius with cool evenings conducive to outdoor activity near the Mahabodhi Temple. Madurai in Tamil Nadu sees temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius with minimal cloud cover.

March initiates the pre-monsoon heating phase. New Delhi records average maximum temperatures climbing to 28 degrees Celsius. Dust storms begin appearing across Rajasthan as pressure gradients intensify. Agra experiences temperatures between 15 and 32 degrees Celsius with visibility at the Taj Mahal remaining clear before the onset of summer haze. Mumbai sees temperatures rising to 32 degrees Celsius with humidity beginning to increase above 65 percent. The Indo-Gangetic Plain from Lucknow to Patna records daytime temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Hyderabad on the Deccan Plateau reaches 35 degrees Celsius. The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha experiences temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius with sea breezes moderating coastal heat. Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley begins warming with temperatures reaching 15 degrees Celsius and snow melting below 2,000 meters. Periyar National Park in Kerala records temperatures between 23 and 33 degrees Celsius as the dry season reduces water levels in Periyar Lake. Tirupati records temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius with minimal rainfall.

April marks the hottest period for southern and central India. Chennai records average maximum temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius with heat radiating from urban surfaces. Hyderabad reaches 39 degrees Celsius. Bangalore remains relatively moderate at 33 degrees Celsius due to elevation of approximately 920 meters above sea level. The Deccan Plateau experiences widespread temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius. Mumbai climbs to 34 degrees Celsius with humidity exceeding 70 percent creating discomfort indices well above actual temperature readings. New Delhi records maximums of 36 degrees Celsius with occasional dust storms reducing visibility and coating surfaces with fine particulate matter from the Thar Desert. Varanasi reaches 38 degrees Celsius. Pre-monsoon thunderstorms called Nor'westers begin affecting Kolkata with sudden wind speeds exceeding 60 kilometers per hour and brief intense rainfall. Bhubaneswar records temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius. The Western Ghats remain dry with forest fire risk increasing across Karnataka and Kerala. Hampi experiences temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius with the boulder-strewn landscape radiating heat. Mysore records 36 degrees Celsius.

May represents peak heat across northern India. New Delhi regularly exceeds 42 degrees Celsius with the 2022 heatwave producing sustained periods above 45 degrees Celsius. Agra records similar extremes. Jaipur reaches 43 degrees Celsius. The Indo-Gangetic Plain from Kanpur through Lucknow to Patna experiences maximum temperatures between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius. Nagpur on the Deccan Plateau records 44 degrees Celsius. Bhopal reaches 42 degrees Celsius. Southern regions begin receiving pre-monsoon showers. Kerala experiences increasing rainfall particularly along the Western Ghats slopes. Thiruvananthapuram records average May rainfall of 115 millimeters. Kochi receives approximately 310 millimeters as the monsoon begins its northward progression from the southern tip. Bangalore sees scattered thunderstorms bringing approximately 135 millimeters. Mumbai remains hot at 35 degrees Celsius with rising humidity above 75 percent. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands experience rougher seas and increased cloud cover as monsoon circulation patterns strengthen across the Bay of Bengal. Guwahati in Assam begins receiving pre-monsoon rainfall exceeding 270 millimeters.

June initiates the southwest monsoon season. The monsoon arrives at the Kerala coast typically between June 1 and June 7 based on India Meteorological Department criteria including sustained rainfall depth, areal coverage, and wind field establishment. Thiruvananthapuram receives average June rainfall of 310 millimeters. The monsoon advances northward at varying rates depending on atmospheric circulation patterns. Mumbai receives the monsoon around June 10 with average monthly rainfall of 485 millimeters. The Western Ghats force orographic lifting creating intense rainfall on windward slopes. Mahabaleshwar records June rainfall exceeding 800 millimeters. The monsoon typically reaches New Delhi around June 27. Kolkata receives approximately 295 millimeters. Chennai remains relatively dry as the southwest monsoon deposits most moisture on the Western Ghats before reaching the eastern coast. The Thar Desert receives minimal monsoon penetration with Jaisalmer recording under 30 millimeters in June. The Brahmaputra River begins rising. Cherrapunji and Mawsynram in Meghalaya experience extraordinary rainfall with June totals often exceeding 2,500 millimeters. The Ganges River swells as Himalayan snowmelt combines with monsoon rainfall across the catchment. Valley of Flowers National Park becomes accessible as snow clears and alpine meadows bloom with documented populations of Himalayan blue poppy, brahma kamal, and over 520 species of flowering plants.

July represents peak monsoon activity. Mumbai records average rainfall of 840 millimeters making it the wettest month. Flooding occurs regularly across low-lying areas. The Mithi River overflows when rainfall intensity exceeds drainage capacity. Kolkata receives 385 millimeters. New Delhi records 210 millimeters with the Yamuna River reaching flood stage when discharge exceeds 10,000 cubic meters per second. The Indo-Gangetic Plain experiences persistent cloud cover and intermittent heavy rainfall. Lucknow records 285 millimeters. Patna receives 320 millimeters. The Ganges flood stage varies by location but typically exceeds danger levels when discharge at Haridwar surpasses 15,000 cubic meters per second. Varanasi experiences ghats submerging under rising water levels. The Brahmaputra floods annually across Assam with Kaziranga National Park becoming approximately 80 percent inundated forcing wildlife to migrate to higher ground in the Karbi Anglong hills. Guwahati records 390 millimeters. Cherrapunji receives average July rainfall exceeding 2,800 millimeters. The Western Ghats remain under persistent monsoon cloud cover. The Deccan Plateau receives moderate rainfall with Bangalore recording 110 millimeters and Hyderabad receiving 165 millimeters. Chennai records only 30 millimeters as the southwest monsoon delivers minimal moisture to the eastern Tamil Nadu coast. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands experience rough seas with wave heights exceeding three meters and ferry services frequently disrupted.

August continues monsoon conditions with slight reduction in intensity across most regions. Mumbai receives 550 millimeters. Kolkata records 330 millimeters. New Delhi sees 245 millimeters with monsoon depressions tracking across the Indo-Gangetic Plain bringing multi-day rainfall episodes. The Ganges maintains high discharge. The Brahmaputra remains above flood stage through much of August. Manas National Park in Assam experiences widespread inundation. Guwahati receives 285 millimeters. Cherrapunji records approximately 1,470 millimeters. The Western Ghats continue receiving heavy rainfall with Agumbe in Karnataka recording over 700 millimeters. Bangalore receives 155 millimeters. The Kaveri River rises across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley records 75 millimeters with temperatures between 16 and 30 degrees Celsius. Ladakh remains in the rain shadow receiving under 15 millimeters. The Narmada River swells across Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal records 330 millimeters. The Godavari and Krishna rivers rise across the Deccan Plateau. Hyderabad receives 145 millimeters. Rajasthan sees increased monsoon penetration with Jaipur recording 235 millimeters. The Chambal River flows strongly.

September marks the monsoon withdrawal phase beginning from northwestern India. Jaisalmer receives under 15 millimeters. New Delhi records 125 millimeters with rainfall events becoming less frequent. The monsoon typically withdraws from Delhi around September 25 based on criteria including cessation of rainfall over the region, establishment of anticyclonic circulation, and reduction in moisture content. Kolkata receives 250 millimeters. The Brahmaputra begins receding though flood risk remains through mid-September. Guwahati records 235 millimeters. Cherrapunji receives approximately 985 millimeters. Mumbai sees 275 millimeters with monsoon intensity declining through the month. The Western Ghats continue receiving rainfall though cloud cover becomes intermittent. Bangalore records 195 millimeters making it one of the wetter months. Hyderabad receives 190 millimeters. The Bay of Bengal generates cyclonic depressions that can produce heavy rainfall across eastern coastal regions. Bhubaneswar records 245 millimeters. Chennai begins receiving increased rainfall as the monsoon transitions. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands experience variable conditions as the southwest monsoon weakens and the transition period introduces unsettled weather patterns.

October represents the post-monsoon transition period. The northeast monsoon begins establishing over southern India. Chennai receives approximately 310 millimeters primarily from northeast monsoon systems developing over the Bay of Bengal. Cyclones form over the Bay of Bengal with highest frequency during October and November. The 1999 Odisha cyclone made landfall near Paradip on October 29 with wind speeds exceeding 260 kilometers per hour. Bhubaneswar receives 205 millimeters. Kolkata records 135 millimeters. New Delhi sees minimal rainfall at 10 millimeters with clear skies returning and temperatures dropping to pleasant levels between 19 and 34 degrees Celsius. Mumbai receives 65 millimeters as the monsoon fully withdraws. The Western Ghats clear with trekking routes becoming accessible again. Bangalore records 185 millimeters from northeast monsoon influence. Hyderabad receives 115 millimeters. The Godavari and Krishna rivers recede. Varanasi experiences temperatures between 18 and 33 degrees Celsius with occasional light rainfall totaling 25 millimeters. The Ganges stabilizes at normal flow levels. The Himalayas receive early snowfall above 4,000 meters. Hemis National Park in Ladakh becomes inaccessible as roads close. Srinagar records temperatures between 5 and 21 degrees Celsius with approximately 35 millimeters of rainfall.

November brings cooler temperatures across northern India and continued northeast monsoon activity in the south. Chennai records 355 millimeters making it the wettest month from northeast monsoon systems. Cyclones continue forming over the Bay of Bengal. The 2020 Cyclone Nivar made landfall near Puducherry on November 25. Bangalore receives 90 millimeters. Kochi records 310 millimeters. Thiruvananthapuram sees 200 millimeters. Mumbai experiences pleasant conditions with temperatures between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius and minimal rainfall of 15 millimeters. New Delhi cools to average temperatures between 12 and 28 degrees Celsius with negligible rainfall. Agra records similar conditions optimal for visiting the Taj Mahal with clear visibility. Jaipur sees temperatures between 13 and 29 degrees Celsius. Varanasi cools to between 13 and 29 degrees Celsius. Kolkata records temperatures between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius with 25 millimeters of rainfall. Ranthambore National Park reopens for the winter season on October 1 and November provides optimal tiger viewing conditions. Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand opens select zones with temperatures between 10 and 28 degrees Celsius. Kaziranga National Park reopens as floodwaters fully recede and grasslands dry sufficiently for jeep access. The Sundarbans experience dropping temperatures and calm river conditions. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands see settling weather with temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius and reduced rainfall.

December marks full winter conditions across northern India. New Delhi records average minimum temperatures of 8 degrees Celsius and maximums of 23 degrees Celsius. Dense fog affects morning visibility particularly during late December and early January. Agra experiences similar fog conditions. Jaipur sees temperatures between 9 and 23 degrees Celsius. Varanasi records minimums of 10 degrees Celsius with morning fog over the Ganges. The Himalayas receive heavy snowfall. Srinagar records temperatures between minus 2 and 11 degrees Celsius with snowfall totaling approximately 165 millimeters water equivalent. Manali becomes snow-covered. Rohtang Pass closes to vehicle traffic typically by mid-November and remains closed until late May. Kedarnath and Badrinath remain inaccessible under snow. Mumbai experiences pleasant conditions with temperatures between 18 and 32 degrees Celsius and virtually no rainfall. Goa records temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius with minimal rainfall and calm Arabian Sea conditions. Chennai continues receiving northeast monsoon rainfall averaging 140 millimeters. Bangalore sees 30 millimeters. The Eastern Ghats receive moisture from northeast monsoon systems. Tirupati records 75 millimeters. Kolkata experiences temperatures between 14 and 26 degrees Celsius with minimal rainfall of 10 millimeters. Wildlife viewing reaches peak conditions across national parks. Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh provide optimal tiger sighting conditions as vegetation thins and animals concentrate near water sources.