Weather in Delhi

Stay up to date with weather conditions in Delhi. This section contains current information and forecasts for your convenience.

The climate of Delhi is characterised by distinct seasons, which is important to consider when planning your trip. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year: from cool winters to very hot summers, followed by the monsoon season. Generally, three main periods can be distinguished: the hot and dry season, the wet monsoon season, and the mild winter season.

Summer in Delhi begins as early as March, gradually gaining intensity, and reaches its peak in May and June. During these months, daytime temperatures often rise above 35°C, and sometimes up to 38°C, with practically no rainfall. The monsoon season arrives from late June or early July and lasts until September. This period is characterised by high humidity and frequent, though not always prolonged, rains. The highest amount of rainfall and rainy days occurs in July and August; while the temperature drops slightly compared to the peak of summer, the high humidity makes the weather quite muggy.

After the monsoons end, from October to November, Delhi experiences very comfortable weather with warm sunny days and pleasantly cool evenings. Winter, covering December, January, and February, offers mild and cool weather. The average daytime temperature in January is around 13-19°C, but nights can be quite cold, with temperatures dropping to 7-8°C. Precipitation during the winter period and transitional seasons (October-November, February-March) is minimal.

The temperature regime in Delhi shows significant annual fluctuations, which is important to consider when planning a trip. The hottest months are traditionally May and June. In May, the average temperature is around 31.7°C, with daytime highs reaching 38.5°C, and nighttime lows hovering around 24.8°C. June continues this trend with an average temperature of 33.0°C, maximum values up to 38.2°C, and nighttime temperatures around 27.7°C. Conversely, the coldest month is January, when the average temperature drops to 13.3°C, with daytime highs around 19.2°C and nighttime lows reaching an average of 7.5°C.

The summer period in Delhi is characterised not only by high temperatures but also by changing humidity levels. April (average temperature 28.6°C, max 36.2°C) already heralds the onset of the heat. In May and June, before the start of the monsoon season, dry heat prevails, and the difference between day and night temperatures can be quite substantial, reaching 10-13 degrees. With the arrival of the monsoons, usually in July (average temperature 30.6°C, max 33.9°C) and August (average temperature 29.7°C, max 32.8°C), daytime temperatures may decrease slightly compared to the peak values of May-June, but high humidity makes the weather feel noticeably more stifling. During these months, daily temperature fluctuations become less pronounced due to cloud cover and precipitation.

Winter in Delhi, covering December, January, and February, offers pleasant coolness. In December, the average temperature is 15.2°C (min 8.8°C, max 21.5°C). January, being the coldest month, is characterised by average values around 13.3°C, with nights being quite chilly as temperatures drop to 7.5°C, while during the day the air warms up to an average of 19.2°C. February brings gradual warming with an average temperature of 17.3°C (min 10.7°C, max 23.8°C). Winter months are characterised by noticeable daily temperature swings: after a sunny and relatively warm day, evenings and nights can be noticeably cool.

Delhi observes a distinct seasonality in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year, with a clear division into a wet monsoon period and a long dry season. The bulk of precipitation falls during the months associated with the southwest monsoon.

The rainy season in Delhi usually falls between June and September. Rainfall intensity increases in June (about 2 mm and 10 rainy days) and reaches its peak in July, which is the wettest month of the year. On average, about 7 mm of precipitation falls in July, and the number of rainy days reaches 22. August also remains rainy (5 mm of precipitation, 19 rainy days), and September concludes the monsoon period with figures around 5 mm of precipitation and 14 rainy days. During these months, rains can be heavy and frequent, bringing much-needed relief from the summer heat, but also increasing air humidity.

The dry season covers most of the year, from October to May. The driest months are April, November, and December, when average rainfall is 0 mm. In November and December, only 1 rainy day is recorded on average. In the other months of the dry season (January, February, March, May, October), rainfall is minimal, usually not exceeding 1 mm per month, and the number of rainy days ranges from 2 to 7. During this period, precipitation, if it occurs, is typically insignificant and brief.

When planning a trip to Delhi, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly, taking into account significant seasonal weather changes. Regardless of the time of year, you will need comfortable shoes for long walks around the city, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection. During the hot period, which usually lasts from March to June, with peak heat in May and June and temperatures often exceeding 35-38°C, opt for light, loose clothing made of natural breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. Keep in mind that June marks the transition to the rainy season, so a compact umbrella might prove useful.

From July to September, Delhi experiences the monsoon season, bringing high humidity and frequent rainfall (especially in July, when there can be up to 22 rainy days). During this period, a light umbrella or raincoat, quick-drying clothes, and possibly water-resistant shoes or sandals will be indispensable. Do not forget insect repellent. From October to February, the weather becomes significantly cooler, especially in the winter months of December and January. October and November usually delight with comfortable warmth, but from December to February (in January the average temperature is around 13°C, and nighttime lows can drop to 7-8°C), you will need warmer clothing. The layering principle is ideal: t-shirts, shirts, and over them a sweater, fleece, and a light jacket or windbreaker. A scarf will also be useful during cool evenings and mornings.