Climate - Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)

The climate of Varanasi (or Benares) is subtropical, avec une saison des pluies qui s'étend approximativement de mi-juin à début octobre, en raison de la mousson, et une saison sèche de mi-octobre à début juin.
The city is located in northeastern India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, at 25 degrees north latitude and on the banks of the Ganges.
We are in the Indo-Gangetic plain, which is a very polluted area, especially from October to February, when air stagnates more easily.
In winter, from mid-November to late February or early March, nights are cool, and sometimes even cold. In January 1990, the temperature dropped to 1 °C (34 °F), while in January 2013, it dropped to 2 °C (35.5 °F).
In addition, from November to January, fog can form at night and in the early morning. The fog usually dissolves during the day, however, in these situations, it can sometimes be cool even during the day, with highs of around 15 °C (59 °F). In December 2019, there were three days with a maximum of 13 °C (55.5 °F) and one day with a maximum of 12 °C (53.5 °F).
From mid-March to mid-June, before the monsoon, it is very hot, and in the hottest periods the temperature can exceed 45 °C (113 °F). In May 1998 and in June 2005, the temperature reached 47 °C (116.5 °F).

Best Time

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The best time to visit Varanasi is from mid-November to mid-February, being the coolest within the dry season. It must be said that this is the time of the year when pollution is highest. Also, in the middle of winter, usually from mid-December to mid-January, it can get a little cold and fog can be persistent, so the latter period can be avoided.

Varanasi - Climate data

In Varanasi, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 15.6 °C (60.1 °F), that of the warmest month (May) is of 33.4 °C (92.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Varanasi, precipitation amounts to 990 millimeters (39 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 4 mm (0.2 in) in the driest month (December) to 280 mm (11 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
In Varanasi, there are on average around 2850 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Varanasi - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Varanasi is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 21.8 °C (71.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In February, the weather in Varanasi is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 12.8 °C (55.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In March, the weather in Varanasi is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.2 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 17.3 °C (63.2 °F) and a maximum of 33.2 °C (91.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 9 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In April, the weather in Varanasi is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 30.5 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) and a maximum of 38.6 °C (101.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (108.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In May, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Varanasi is usually scorchingly hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 33.4 °C (92 °F), with a minimum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F) and a maximum of 40.5 °C (104.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 45 °C (113 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In June, the weather in Varanasi is usually scorchingly hot. The average temperature is of 33.2 °C (92 °F), with a minimum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F) and a maximum of 38.4 °C (101.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 44 °C (111 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In July, the weather in Varanasi is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 30.5 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F) and a maximum of 34.2 °C (93.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 260 mm (10.2 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In August, the weather in Varanasi is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 30.0 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.6 °C (79.8 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 280 mm (11 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In September, the weather in Varanasi is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.6 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.3 °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 36.5 °C (98 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 230 mm (9.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In October, the weather in Varanasi is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 21.8 °C (71.3 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 2 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 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (2 mph).

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In November, the weather in Varanasi is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 15.8 °C (60.5 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 7 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 3 kph (2 mph).

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In December, the weather in Varanasi is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.4 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F) and a maximum of 24 °C (75.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 3 kph (2 mph).