Weather In India By Month [top] May 2026
Winter is back. Northern India requires heavy woolens (0°C–10°C in the plains; snow in the mountains). South India is warm but comfortable (25°C–28°C). December is peak tourist season for beaches (Goa, Andaman) and deserts (Jaisalmer). Expect heavy fog in Delhi, which may delay flights and trains. Summary Table for Travelers | Month | North India | South India | Best For | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Jan | Cold, Foggy | Pleasant | Heritage & Desert | | Mar-Apr | Hot, Dry | Very Hot | Hill stations | | Jun-Jul | Rainy (late) | Very Wet | Ayurveda (Kerala) | | Oct-Nov | Perfect, Crisp | Mixed (Cyclones) | Festivals (Diwali) | | Dec | Very Cold | Warm & Sunny | Beaches & New Year | The Takeaway There is no "bad" month to visit India, only the wrong region for that month. October to March is ideal for most of the country. April to June is for the mountains. July to September is for the desert (post-rain) or experiencing the raw power of the monsoon on the west coast. Always pack for the specific latitude—you might need a parka in Shimla in January but flip-flops in Kanyakumari on the same day.
The Northeast Monsoon brings rain to Tamil Nadu (Chennai), but the rest of India is dry, cool, and sunny. Nights in the North become chilly (10°C–15°C). Daytime is ideal for hiking, heritage walks, and wildlife spotting. Goa’s tourist season begins now, as the humidity has finally vanished. weather in india by month
Similar to July, but with a slight decrease in rain in the North. August is muggy across the country. The Konkan coast (Goa, Maharashtra) gets dangerous tides. However, festivals like Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami are celebrated indoors. Sightseeing is best limited to museums or high-altitude rain-shadow areas like Ladakh. Winter is back
May is the hottest month for most of India. Temperatures in Rajasthan and Central India can hit 45°C–48°C. The pre-monsoon "Loo" (hot, dry wind) blows across the plains. Coastal areas become humid and sticky. Only the far north (Leh-Ladakh) and high-altitude hill stations are comfortable. December is peak tourist season for beaches (Goa,
Rainfall decreases significantly. The northern skies clear up, and humidity drops. Southern India still receives residual showers (Chennai gets heavy rain in September). By the end of the month, the weather becomes pleasant again. This is the "shoulder season" for travel—green landscapes without the mud.