21Β° to 30Β°
Cool & Dry
The least hot month of the year, and the driest stretch of the cool season.
π
Pongal, mid-January
Tamil Nadu's major harvest festival, a four-day celebration thanking the sun god and cattle for a good harvest, marked by decorated kolam patterns, the festival's namesake sweet rice dish, and family gatherings across the state.
βοΈ Sunscreenπ§₯ Light layers for evenings
22Β° to 32Β°
Warm & Dry
Still comfortably cool and dry, with the best sunshine-to-comfort balance of the year.
βοΈ Sunscreenπ§₯ Light layers for evenings
23Β° to 34Β°
Heat Builds
Still technically the dry season, but the heat climbs fast from here.
βοΈ Sunscreenπ₯΅ Heat building
26Β° to 36Β°
Very Hot
Daytime highs regularly push past 36Β°C, with the hottest stretch of the year just ahead.
π₯΅ Heat protectionπ§ Stay hydrated
28Β° to 38Β°
Scorching
The hottest month of the year, with temperatures that have reached 45Β°C.
π₯΅ Extreme heatπ§ Stay hydrated
27Β° to 38Β°
Monsoon Elsewhere
The southwest monsoon begins on India's other coast, but the Western Ghats shield Chennai, so rain stays fairly light here.
π₯΅ Heat protectionβ Light rain jacket
26Β° to 36Β°
Hot & Humid
Still hot, with rain becoming more frequent, though not yet the year's wettest stretch.
β Umbrella handyπ§ Stay hydrated
26Β° to 35Β°
Rain Increases
Rain grows more frequent and widespread as the month goes on.
β Umbrella handyπ§ Stay hydrated
25Β° to 34Β°
Building Toward Monsoon
Hot and increasingly wet, as the year's wettest stretch approaches.
β Umbrella handyπ₯΅ Still hot
24Β° to 33Β°
Northeast Monsoon Arrives
Rain becomes a near-daily event as the true wet season sets in.
β Umbrella essentialβ οΈ Flash-flood aware
23Β° to 31Β°
Wettest Month
The wettest month of the year, driven by the retreating northeast monsoon, with the mildest temperatures outside winter.
β Heavy rain gearβ οΈ Flash-flood aware
22Β° to 29Β°
Cool but Damp
Cool and pleasant, though rain from the retreating monsoon can still linger into the first half of the month.
π§₯ Light layers for eveningsβ Light rain jacket
β
β
β
peak season, β
β
β decent shoulder months, β
ββ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Chennai?›
Unlike much of India, Chennai's wettest period historically comes from the northeast monsoon, roughly October through December, rather than the summer southwest monsoon. November is historically the wettest month, averaging around 310mm of rain.
What is the best time of year to visit Chennai?›
January and February are historically Chennai's best months: cool, dry, and the most comfortable stretch of the year. December is also part of the cooler season, though rain from the retreating monsoon can still linger into its first half.
What is the least favorable time to visit Chennai?›
October and November historically bring the heaviest rain of the year from the northeast monsoon, while March through May bring the most intense heat, with temperatures that have reached 45Β°C.
Which month has the most rain in Chennai?›
November is historically the wettest month, averaging around 310mm of rain across 16 days.
Which month is the driest in Chennai?›
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 5mm of rain.
How hot does Chennai get in summer?›
May is historically the hottest month, with temperatures that have reached 45Β°C.
What should I pack for Chennai during the rainy season?›
An umbrella is essential from around October through November, when the northeast monsoon brings rain most days.
Is Marina Beach good for swimming?›
Marina Beach is better suited to a walk than a swim: it's one of the longest urban beaches in the world, but swimming is prohibited due to a dangerously strong undercurrent.
How many hours of sunshine does Chennai get per day on average?›
It ranges from around 4.5 hours a day in July up to about 10 hours a day in April.
Is there a major festival in Chennai worth planning a trip around?›
Pongal, Tamil Nadu's major harvest festival, falls in mid-January and is marked by decorated kolam patterns and family gatherings across the state.