Climate - Chennai (India)

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.

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.
On average, there are around 2850 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Chennai - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature in Chennai 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.
On average, there are 230 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 74%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F).

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In February, the average temperature in Chennai 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.
On average, there are 240 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 72%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F).

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In March, the average temperature in Chennai 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, 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.
On average, there are 290 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F).

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In April, the average temperature in Chennai 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 295 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 10 hours per day.
The average humidity is 71%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F).

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In May, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature in Chennai 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (108 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
On average, there are 300 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F).

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In June, the average temperature in Chennai 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40.5 °C (105 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
On average, there are 235 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F).

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In July, the average temperature in Chennai 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.
On average, there are 145 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F).

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In August, the average temperature in Chennai 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.
On average, there are 190 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F).

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In September, the average temperature in Chennai 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
On average, there are 195 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 73%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F).

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In October, the average temperature in Chennai 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 265 mm (10.4 in), distributed over 16 days.
On average, there are 255 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 79%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F).

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In November, the average temperature in Chennai 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 310 mm (12.2 in), distributed over 16 days.
On average, there are 260 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 81%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F).

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In December, the average temperature in Chennai 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.
On average, there are 210 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 78%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F).