Indian Weather
Indian weather is governed by three seasons - hot, wet (the Monsoon), and cool. The seasons are a crucial factor in because of the major variations in temperature and weather in the north, south and central areas.
Ideal time for India travel is usually during the cooler months from November to late February. From April to June, it becomes really hot with occasional dust storms. June is the start of the Monsoon, which lasts until September is most regions.
North India
The northern plains have a wide variation in climate. Inland has hot days and nights during the summer months from April to mid June. In Winter from November to February, days are warm and it can fall below zero during the nights. The Monsoon, hot and humid and very wet, is from June to September.
Clothing:
Light clothes from March to October with occasional light woolens. Heavy woolens for winter. Raincoats and umbrellas during the Monsoon.
South West India
The mainly coastal climate is created by the Arabian Sea to the west and the Indian Ocean to the South. Most pleasant period is from November to March. Summer is not as hot as in the north but the humidity is extreme. The Monsoon is between late April and July. Coastal areas have cool sea breezes while there is relatively low rainfall and generally a pleasant climate.
Clothing:
Light clothes throughout the year with occasional woolens in some regions. Raincoats and umbrellas during the Monsoon.
South India
The climate is mainly costal due to the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Indian Ocean to the South. Tamil Nadu has warm summers with high humidity and pleasant winters. The north east monsoon is between October and December. Hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal can be cold in winter. Hyderabad is hot but less humid in summer and much cooler in winter.
Clothing:
Light clothes throughout the year with occasional woolens in some regions like hill stations etc. Raincoats and umbrellas during the Monsoon.
Central India
The summer season is characterized by hot days and nights whereas during the winter season the days are warm and sunny and nights are very cold. July marks the onset of monsoons, which last till September.
Clothing:
Light clothes from March to October. Heavy woolens for winter. Raincoats and umbrellas during monsoons.
West India
Western India has mainly a coastal climate because of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Kutch. Days and night are hot and humid in the summer. The Monsoon strikes is from July until September. The climate becomes cool from October and in some regions an occasional woollen is required and generally remains pleasant throughout the winter.
Clothing:
Light clothes throughout the year with occasional woolens in some regions. Raincoats and umbrellas during the Monsoon.
Western Himalayas
Srinagar in the north has the best climate between March and October but winter is extremely cold and damp between December and March. Shimla and Manali, in Himachal Pradesh, and are much colder during winter because of their high altitude. And both have moderate to heavy snowfall during the winter season.
Clothing:
Light clothes from March to October with occasional light woolens depending on temperature. Heavy woolens for winter. It is important to be well prepared as the weather can change rapidly in the mountains.
South East India
Southeast India has a characteristic coastal climate because of the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Indian Ocean to the South. The state of Tamil Nadu has warm summers with high humidity and pleasant winters. It experiences northeast monsoon between October and December. The hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal can be cold in winter. Hyderabad is hot but less humid in summer and much cooler in winter.
Clothing:
Light clothes throughout the year with occasional woolens in some regions like hill stations etc. Raincoats and umbrellas during monsoons which in the summer dominate India Weather.
