Delhi experiences tremendous heat waves during the summer days while being freezing cold in the winter. So if you are planning to visit the city, it is very important to consider the climate and plan accordingly so that you are all prepared to make the most of your days in Delhi.
Despite the seasons you are planning to visit, Delhi offers a magnificent ambience all year round.
Month | Temperature Max / Min (°C) |
Temperature Max / Min (°F) |
Precipitation | Rain days |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 20 / 8 | 68 / 47 | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 2.1 days |
February | 24 / 11 | 74 / 53 | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 2.5 days |
March | 29 / 17 | 85 / 62 | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 2.4 days |
April | 36 / 22 | 96 / 72 | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 2.3 days |
May | 39 / 26 | 102 / 80 | 25 mm (1.0 in) | 4.0 days |
June | 38 / 28 | 101 / 83 | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8.9 days |
July | 35 / 28 | 95 / 82 | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 16.0 days |
August | 33 / 27 | 92 / 81 | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 15.2 days |
September | 33 / 25 | 92 / 77 | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 7.9 days |
October | 32 / 20 | 89 / 67 | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 1.7 days |
November | 27 / 13 | 81 / 56 | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 0.7 days |
December | 22 / 9 | 71 / 48 | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 1.1 days |
In Delhi, it gets very hot in spring and summer. The hottest month in Delhi is May, with an average temperature of 39°C (102°F) during the day. In May, during the night, the temperature is around 36°C (80°F).
The coldest month in Delhi is January with an average temperature of 20°C (98°F) during the day and an average temperature of 8°C (47°F) during the night. Winter is the best season to visit Delhi because the temperature during the day is very pleasant. However, the nights are quite chilly.
The monsoon in Delhi, also referred to as the rainy season, starts in late June and ends in September. During the monsoon, the weather becomes cooler with an average temperature of 33°C (92°F) during the day.
The wettest month in Delhi is August. During that month, it rains once every two days and the average monthly rainfall is 172 mm (6.8 in).
The driest months in Delhi are November and December, with almost no rainfall at all and a very dry atmosphere.
The best time to visit Delhi is from November to March, when the weather is dry and cooler. July to September, during the monsoon season, is also a good time because the temperature is still pleasant.
Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
---|---|---|---|
January 15th | 07:14 | 17:46 | 10:32 |
February 15th | 06:59 | 18:11 | 11:12 |
March 15th | 06:31 | 18:29 | 11:58 |
April 15th | 05:55 | 18:46 | 12:51 |
May 15th | 05:30 | 19:04 | 13:34 |
June 15th | 05:22 | 19:20 | 13:58 |
July 15th | 05:33 | 19:20 | 13:47 |
August 15th | 05:50 | 19:00 | 13:10 |
September 15th | 06:05 | 18:26 | 12:21 |
October 15th | 06:21 | 17:51 | 11:30 |
November 15th | 06:43 | 17:27 | 10:44 |
December 15th | 07:06 | 17:26 | 10:20 |
Delhi experiences the summer heat from May to July. During this season the temperatures rise to a maximum of 39°C (102°F) around end of May, making it the hottest month of the year. The days are extremely hot with occasional thunderstorms to offer a sudden relief from the heat. The season hardly enjoys constant rain. The temperature becomes bearable as the sun sets as it touches around 25°C (77°F). The prominent feature of Delhi Summer is the ‘loo’- an extremely hot wind making its way through the Thar Desert.
Since it doesn’t rain during the summer days, Delhi is good to visit during the summer. The clear blue sky creates a perfect backdrop for the grand monuments that stand tall in various parts of the city.
Tips for summer travellers will be to always make sure to carry water bottles and stay hydrated all day long. Wear light-coloured cotton clothes and comfy shoes. Carry an umbrella, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Keep them handy so that you can use them whenever you need them.
Monsoon arrives in Delhi by August. July experiences frequent drizzles and rain showers which increase by the time we arrive in August. Temperature decreases to 33°C (91°F) thus offering comfort from the scorching heat. At night the temperature is around 25°C (77°F) making it very comfortable. The city is not affected by cyclones like the coastal regions which makes it better for travellers to enjoy the drizzle while sipping piping hot “chai”. By the end of September, the downpour eases but leaves behind the humidity.
Tips to remember for monsoon lovers are to carry umbrellas, and raincoats if you wish to explore the city.
October announces the arrival of Autumn marked by occasional drizzle and a lowering of the average temperature. At night the temperature goes as low as 20°C (67°F). However, the temperature during the day still lingers around 32°C (89°F). The pleasant atmosphere of the city brings in the tourist. By November, the atmosphere becomes dry and invites cold winds to the city. With a drastic drop in the temperature, the days are pleasant at 27°C (81°F) while the nights are cooler with temperatures as low as 13°C (56°F).
Tips for the travellers will be to pack warm clothes. It will be better to book your hotels ahead of time as the number of tourists increases in the city with the arrival of the autumn season.
Finally, the season with the highest number of tourists arrives and it is the peak season for lodgings, restaurants and attraction spots. The cold weather has fully settled in by December. The days are even cooler with temperatures around 22°C (71°F) and the nights are freezing with 9°C (48°F) of temperature. Fogs and smogs completely wrap the city till mid-morning which makes it difficult to visualise the surroundings. Cold and dry winds from the Himalayas freeze the city and make January the coldest month of the year. The temperature drops further to 20°C (47°F) during the day and 8°C (68°F) at night. February still has the lingering effects of the cold season with temperatures rising to 24°C (74°F) with the fog and the smog.
Tips for the winter season would be to pack warm, woollen clothes and masks as the smog gives rise to the common cold and cough during this season.
The city begins to warm itself slowly. The cool and pleasant atmosphere begins to vanish and a rise in the temperature is visible. However, the weather still stays comfortable and bearable at 30°C (86°F) in the daytime. Occasional rain occurs during this season and the tourist spots still get a lot of visitors.
Tips for the spring enthusiast travellers will be to begin to check their fluid intake and to pack lightly.