India Weather Guide

India has incredibly diverse climates -- from Himalayan snow to tropical beaches. Understanding the seasons is key to planning your perfect trip.

Best Time to Visit India

Best Overall

October -- March

The cool, dry season is the most popular time to visit. Comfortable temperatures across most of the country, clear skies, and ideal conditions for sightseeing, trekking, and beach holidays.

Budget Season

April -- June

Hot and dry in the plains (up to 45°C in Delhi and Rajasthan). However, this is the best time for hill stations like Shimla, Manali, and Darjeeling. Hotel prices drop significantly.

Monsoon

July -- September

The southwest monsoon brings heavy rains across most of India. Lush green landscapes and fewer tourists. Best avoided for beach destinations but magical for Kerala and the Western Ghats.

India's Three Seasons Explained

Winter (November -- February)

The peak tourist season. North India experiences cool to cold weather (5 -- 20°C in Delhi, below freezing in the Himalayas), while South India remains pleasantly warm (20 -- 30°C). This is the ideal season for exploring Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, and the Golden Triangle.

Delhi

8 -- 22°C

Mumbai

19 -- 33°C

Jaipur

8 -- 25°C

Goa

21 -- 33°C

Summer (March -- May)

Temperatures soar in the plains, regularly exceeding 40°C in Rajasthan, central India, and the Gangetic plains. However, hill stations in the Himalayas (Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie) and the Western Ghats (Ooty, Munnar, Coorg) offer cool relief at 15 -- 25°C. Ladakh opens up from late May.

Delhi

28 -- 45°C

Shimla

12 -- 25°C

Varanasi

26 -- 42°C

Darjeeling

10 -- 20°C

Monsoon (June -- September)

The southwest monsoon arrives on the Kerala coast around June 1st and gradually covers the entire country by mid-July. Rainfall is heavy in western coastal areas, the northeast (Cherrapunji/Mawsynram receive the world's heaviest rainfall), and the Gangetic plains. The Thar Desert and Ladakh receive comparatively little rain.

Mumbai

2,200mm rain

Cherrapunji

9,000mm+ rain

Leh

50mm rain

Kerala

2,800mm rain

Regional Climate Differences

North India (Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan)

Extreme seasonal variation. Scorching summers (up to 48°C), cold winters (near freezing in Delhi). Best visited October to March. The Himalayan foothills stay cool year-round.

South India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka)

Tropical climate with less temperature variation. Warm year-round (25 -- 35°C). Tamil Nadu has a different monsoon pattern (northeast monsoon Oct -- Dec), so it rains when the rest of India is dry.

West Coast (Goa, Mumbai, Konkan)

Hot and humid most of the year. The monsoon hits hard from June to September with very heavy rainfall. The best beach weather is November to February. Goa's peak season is December -- January.

Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim)

Some of the wettest places on earth. Cool winters, mild summers, and very heavy monsoons. Best visited October to April. Spectacular spring blooms in Sikkim (March -- April).

Himalayas (Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand)

Alpine climate with cold winters and mild summers. Many mountain passes close from October to May due to snow. Ladakh is best visited June to September. Trekking season is May to October.

East India (Kolkata, Odisha)

Hot, humid climate with heavy monsoon. Cyclone risk along the coast October -- December. Winters are mild and pleasant (15 -- 25°C). Best visited November to February.

What to Pack

Winter (Nov -- Feb)

  • Layers -- warm jacket for North India
  • Scarf/shawl (useful for temples too)
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunscreen (still strong sun)
  • Light clothes for South India
  • Thermal wear for Himalayan trips

Summer (Mar -- May)

  • Light, breathable cotton clothing
  • Wide-brimmed hat or cap
  • Strong sunscreen (SPF 50+)
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses
  • Light scarf to cover shoulders

Monsoon (Jun -- Sep)

  • Waterproof jacket or poncho
  • Waterproof bag/dry bag for electronics
  • Quick-dry clothing
  • Waterproof sandals (not flip-flops)
  • Insect repellent (mosquitoes increase)
  • Compact umbrella

Month-by-Month Overview

January

5 -- 22°C (North)

Peak season. Great for Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala. Republic Day (Jan 26).

February

8 -- 25°C (North)

Still peak season. Holi festival (Feb/Mar). Desert Festival in Jaisalmer.

March

14 -- 32°C (North)

Warming up. Holi celebrations. Good for South India before heat sets in.

April

22 -- 40°C (North)

Getting hot in the plains. Head to the hills. Cherry blossoms in Shillong.

May

27 -- 45°C (North)

Very hot. Hill stations are perfect. Ladakh roads start opening.

June

28 -- 42°C (North)

Monsoon arrives in Kerala. Rath Yatra in Puri. Ladakh is ideal.

July

26 -- 38°C (North)

Full monsoon. Lush landscapes. Low hotel prices. Great for Ladakh.

August

25 -- 36°C (North)

Heavy rains continue. Independence Day (Aug 15). Onam in Kerala.

September

24 -- 35°C (North)

Monsoon retreating. Ganesh Chaturthi. Shoulder season bargains.

October

18 -- 33°C (North)

Post-monsoon. Dussehra/Durga Puja. Season starts. Excellent weather.

November

10 -- 28°C (North)

Diwali! Peak season begins. Perfect weather across most of India.

December

5 -- 23°C (North)

Peak season. Christmas in Goa. Cool nights in North. NYE celebrations.