Weather in India

India is one of Asia's leading tourist destinations, welcoming more than 8 million travellers every year. However, the weather is the dominant factor in deciding when to visit this strange and fascinating country. The climate of the subcontinent is very different from the western definition of climate based on a system of four seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring. India has only three seasons: winter, summer and monsoon. However, India's weather is extremely variable, with the most influential feature being the monsoon (or rainy season). In this article we will learn about India yearly weather including climate, seasons and its impact on nature here

Features Of the Indian Climate 

Overview about Indian climate

India has a tropical monsoon climate due to its special location between the Asian continent and the Indian Ocean. India's climate is mainly characterised by rainy and dry seasons. However, some regions within India, such as Ladakh and the Thar Desert, do not have a rainy season. The average rainfall varies from region to region in India, with Meghalaya being one of the highest rainfall regions and Jaisalmer being one of the lowest. The Gangetic plains and coastal areas receive rainfall in the months of July and August. The weather in the Coromandel region is dry during these months. During the months of June and July, places like Goa, Patna and Hyderabad as well as the north-western region receive rainfall.

In India, the diurnal and annual temperatures vary considerably. The highest day and night temperatures are found in the Thar region, while the Himalayas have the highest annual temperatures. The coastal areas have lower annual and diurnal temperatures. The Indian subcontinent has hot summers and moderately cold winters. In the Himalayas, winters are extremely cold and summers are moderately hot.

Which place in India is the coldest?

Dras is the coldest place in India. Dras is a lonely town in Jammu and Kashmir's famed Kargil area, often known as 'The Gateway to Ladakh'. Dras is India's coldest spot and is sometimes cited as the second-coldest place on Earth.

Which part of India is the hottest?

Located in the northernmost region of Rajasthan, India, Sri Ganganagar embodies human adaptability and resourcefulness in a challenging desert climate. Considered India's hottest spot, the city boasts a rich history, a vibrant cultural landscape and a thriving agricultural sector that has transformed the arid terrain into the "agricultural hub of Rajasthan".

Which is the hottest state in India?

The state of Telangana is located in the south of India and experiences extremely high temperatures during the summer months. Temperatures in the cities of Hyderabad, Warangal and Karimnagar regularly exceed 44 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest regions in the country during the summer months.

What Are The Average Yearly Hours of Sunlight in India?

The longest day of the year is 13h 49' long and the shortest day is 10h 10' long. The longest day is 3h 38' longer than the shortest day. There is an average of 2856 hours of sunlight per year (of a possible 4383) with an average of 7:49 of sunlight per day

What is India's coldest month?

The coldest month in India is January. Average temperatures in January range from 14 to 25 °C.

Which is the hottest month of the year in India? 

The hottest months in western and southern India are April and early May, whereas May is the hottest month in northern India. In May, temperatures in the majority of the interior range between 32 and 40 degrees Celsius (90 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Different Types of Seasons in India

Indian weather has three main seasons

Indian weather is separated into three main seasons: winter, summer, and monsoon. In general, the ideal season to visit India is during the winter, when most regions have reasonably mild and pleasant weather.

Summer (March to May)

India begins to heat up at the end of February, first in the northern plains, then throughout the country. By April, several regions had daily temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit). Temperatures in the southern sections of the country remain lower, hitting approximately 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), however humidity is significantly higher. In late May, symptoms of the impending monsoon arise. The humidity rises, and there are thunderstorms and dust storms.

The most tiresome aspect of summer in India is the continuous heat. The weather is same from day to day—it is always extremely hot, sunny, and dry.

Read more: Best Places To Visit In India During Summer Time

Monsoon Season ( Rainy season)  (June - October)

Showers start at different times around the country. In general, India's rainy season runs from June to October. The rain begins in the southeastern portion of India and progressively spreads throughout the country. Many coastal locations may face flooding during this season. Hill stations are also prone to landslides and road damage. However, the center region of the nation will be lush throughout this season.

Winter Season (November to March)

For the majority of India, the disappearance of the monsoon heralds the arrival of clear sunny skies and the beginning of the tourist season. The busiest months are December and January. Winter temperatures are acceptable during the day, but they may be extremely frigid at night. In the South, it never gets chilly. This is in stark contrast to the cold temperatures encountered in India's far north, particularly in the Himalaya area.

Read more: Best cool places to visit in India

Which is the longest season in India?

The summer season, also known as Grishma Ritu, follows the spring and is characterized by particularly hot weather. When compared to other seasons, this one has the longest days and an average temperature of around 38 degrees.

Summer in India starts at the end of April and lasts until the end of June. The summer solstice causes the longest days and the shortest nights.

3. Weather in India in October: The month has the most festivals in India

October marks the end of monsoon season in India and the return of warm, sunny days

October marks the conclusion of India's monsoon season and the return of warm, sunny days. Daytime temperatures average 20°C in the country's far north, 30°C in the southern states of Goa and Kerala, and 34°C in Delhi and Rajasthan. Despite the pleasant weather, peak visitor season is still a month away, and tourist attractions are less crowded than they will be in the coming months. In essence, October is a fantastic time to visit India. 

The big Durga Mahotsava festivities take place in West Bengal, Assam, and Orissa throughout October. It's the perfect time to go "Pandal hopping," indulge in delectable treats, and dress up in your finest gear. West Bengal's Puja pandals are world-famous and breathtaking. The northern states honor the Goddess Durga during Navaratri. The festivities culminate on the ninth day, when the demon king Ravana, as well as his son and sibling, are burned as a symbol of good triumphing over evil.

October also commemorates the most significant and holy day for the Jewish community, Yom Kippur, commonly known as the Day of Atonement.

4. When to go where in India

Because of India's wide geographical variety, from the coast to the mountains, you must decide which portion of the nation you want to explore before you leave.

Himalayas

The best time to visit Himalayan mountain is from late May to September

The best time to visit this famous Himalayan mountain is from late May to September, during the summer months when winter temperatures can drop below zero.

Not only that, but the harsh winter weather conditions isolate much of the region from the rest of the country, with frequent landslides, power outages and roadblocks. Therefore, it is best to travel to any of the hill states - Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh - when the sun illuminates the snow-capped hilltops, thus allowing easy access to the numerous trekking trails, temples, waterfalls and lakes.

Plains

The plains of northern India, including the desert state of Rajasthan, are known for their scorching summers, significantly colder winters and constant rainfall during the monsoon months of July to September.

The best time to travel to this region is from mid-October to mid-March when the weather is at its best and most conducive to a variety of tourist activities. It is the ideal time to do some sightseeing in Delhi, visit Agra, visit the holy city of Varanasi as well as stroll through the historical sites, monuments and palaces around Rajasthan. Not only that, but if you're lucky enough, you'll be able to enjoy some of the North Indian festivals that take place at this time of year, so be sure to bring your camera!

Western India

This region of India consists of the states of Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra and is known for its year-round heat. However, the climate does vary from state to state, ranging from tropical and humid to dry to semi-arid. Temperatures in the coastal areas remain stable throughout the year, starting at around 20°C.

It is best to visit West India during the winter months as the summer temperatures in Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat can reach as high as 45°C. However, the winters in Mumbai and northern Goa are cooler, with lows of around 15°C, so be sure to pack the right clothes to protect you from the cold. West India has a wide variety of things to see and do, from the Konkan Riviera to the legendary forts, grand palaces, national parks and shrines of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

The best time to visit is from November to February.

The best time to visit western state in India is from November to February.

South India

The best time to visit the tropical regions of South India is during the winter months, from December to February.

Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are the best places to visit when temperatures are around 25 °C to 30 °C and humidity is at its lowest. However, it is worth noting that hill station towns, such as Munnar in Kerala, tend to get quite chilly in the mornings and evenings. The coastal region of Karnataka is an ideal summer holiday destination for a dip in the Arabian Sea. It's worth noting that while daytime temperatures are relatively high in certain parts of the region, they tend to drop at night, so keep a light shawl handy.

East India

Comprising the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands, this region is situated in a humid subtropical zone, with extremely hot summers from March to June, a mild climate with monsoons from July to October and pleasant winters from November to February.

If you are interested in exploring the various regions known for their historical monuments, temples, wildlife sanctuaries, cityscapes and dance and music festivals, then you should certainly visit East India. Not only does the region boast some of the most interesting cultural, historical and social representations in all of India, it is also known for its love of cricket and is home to the Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in West Bengal.

The best time to visit is during the winter months, from early November to late February, when the temperatures hover around 25 °C to 35 °C.

North East India

This part of the country is the most culturally and politically diverse, with eight states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It has a subtropical climate with maximum rainfall during the monsoon and annual perspiration of up to 80 inches in summer at many places. Kilapunzi is located on the Meghalaya Plateau, which receives one of the highest rainfalls in the world, so bring heavy rain gear if you plan to visit there.

The highest summer temperatures are found in Western Tripura, often reaching around 40°C. This particular region is home to some of the only remaining rainforests in the subcontinent. This particular region is home to some of the subcontinent's last remaining rainforests, as well as some of the world's most exquisite natural wildlife sanctuaries.

The mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Himalayas on the northern border of India and China have the lowest temperatures, often well below zero, and are known for heavy snowfall.

The best time to visit north-east India is from November to April.

The weather in India is a factor in the incredible diversity of this beautiful country. Whether it is winter or summer, the weather here is at its mildest for travelers. Hopefully, this article will help you get an overview of the weather system in India and find the best places to visit during your trip.

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