Weather and climate in Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

The climate of Chennai (or Madras) is tropical, with a rainy season from July to December and a dry season from January to May. The wettest period is from mid-October to mid-December, due to the north-east monsoon or retreating monsoon.
The city is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is located in southeastern India, at 13 degrees north latitude, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
In June, the summer monsoon begins on the south-west coast of India, but the south-east side is protected by the Western Ghats, so the rains are not abundant. However, the hottest time of the year is the one before the monsoon, from late May to early June. At the end of May 2003, the temperature reached 45 °C (113 °F). Instead, the coolest period (or the least hot) is from November to January.



Chennai is in the path of tropical cyclones. Cyclones typically occur from April to December, although south-eastern India is normally affected only from mid-October to December, and more rarely in May. In 2011, the city was hit by cyclone Thane in the last two days of December.

Best Time

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The best months to visit Chennai are January and February, as they are the least hot within the dry season. From March to May, it is still the dry season but it is very hot.

Chennai - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F), that of the warmest month (May) is of 33.0 °C (91.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1235 millimeters (48.6 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest month (February) to 310 mm (12.2 in) in the wettest one (November). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 26.5 °C (80 °F) in January to 30 °C (86 °F) in May. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 2850 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Chennai - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the least warm month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.4 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) and a maximum of 30.1 °C (86.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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February is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.7 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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March is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.9 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) and a maximum of 34.2 °C (93.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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April is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 31.1 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 26.1 °C (79 °F) and a maximum of 36.1 °C (96.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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May, the hottest month of the year, is generally a scorchingly hot month. The average temperature is of 33.0 °C (91 °F), with a minimum of 27.5 °C (81.4 °F) and a maximum of 38.4 °C (101.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (108 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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June is generally a scorchingly hot month. The average temperature is of 32.3 °C (90 °F), with a minimum of 27 °C (80.6 °F) and a maximum of 37.7 °C (99.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 40.5 °C (105 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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July is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 31.0 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 26 °C (78.9 °F) and a maximum of 36 °C (96.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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August is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 30.2 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F) and a maximum of 35 °C (95.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (100 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.9 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) and a maximum of 34.6 °C (94.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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October is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (75.8 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 265 mm (10.4 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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November is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.8 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23 °C (73.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.6 °C (87.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 310 mm (12.2 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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December is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.6 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 21.5 °C (70.8 °F) and a maximum of 29.6 °C (85.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.