Best time to visit Chennai: month-by-month weather (2026)
The highest-scoring months in Chennai are Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec.
Best months
Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec
Peak season
Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec
Off season
Jul, Aug and Sep
Monthly Temperatures (°C)
Monthly Rainfall (mm)
Month-by-Month Guide
Temperature, rainfall and sunshine are measured. The visit score below is derived from those three (design spec §5.3)estimate.
Jan
BestTemp: 22.4°C – 28.3°C
Rain: 31mm
Sunshine: 10.1h/day
Visit score: 10/10
Feb
BestTemp: 22.5°C – 30.6°C
Rain: 3mm
Sunshine: 11.2h/day
Visit score: 8.5/10
Mar
BestTemp: 24.5°C – 32.3°C
Rain: 21mm
Sunshine: 11.6h/day
Visit score: 8.5/10
Apr
Temp: 26.6°C – 34.3°C
Rain: 19mm
Sunshine: 11.5h/day
Visit score: 6.5/10
May
Temp: 27.5°C – 35.3°C
Rain: 123mm
Sunshine: 9.8h/day
Visit score: 4.7/10
Jun
Temp: 27.8°C – 36.2°C
Rain: 87mm
Sunshine: 9.4h/day
Visit score: 4.7/10
Jul
Temp: 26.8°C – 34.4°C
Rain: 114mm
Sunshine: 7.6h/day
Visit score: 4.5/10
Aug
Temp: 25.9°C – 33.6°C
Rain: 184mm
Sunshine: 9.5h/day
Visit score: 3.8/10
Sep
Temp: 25.9°C – 33.6°C
Rain: 162mm
Sunshine: 9.2h/day
Visit score: 3.8/10
Oct
Temp: 24.9°C – 31°C
Rain: 254mm
Sunshine: 9.2h/day
Visit score: 5.8/10
Nov
Temp: 24.4°C – 29°C
Rain: 334mm
Sunshine: 8.3h/day
Visit score: 5.8/10
Dec
BestTemp: 23.6°C – 28.1°C
Rain: 313mm
Sunshine: 9h/day
Visit score: 7.3/10
When to go, and when not to
The best months to visit Chennai are January, February, March, and December, when daytime highs range from the high 20s to low 30s Celsius and rainfall is comparatively light. These months also have relatively strong sunshine, making outdoor sightseeing and beach time more comfortable than in the hotter or wetter parts of the year.
The trade-off is that these same months make up the peak season, so lodging and transport can be busier and costs can run higher than average. Later months bring higher heat and heavier rain, with October and November in particular seeing substantial rainfall, so travelers who prioritize lower prices over ideal weather may look to the quieter, wetter months instead.
Season Guide
Spring
March – May
Mild temperatures and blooming gardens. A great time for sightseeing with fewer crowds than summer.
Packing tips
- · Light layers
- · Rain jacket
- · Comfortable walking shoes
Summer
June – August
Warmest months with the longest days. Peak tourist season in most destinations.
Packing tips
- · Sunscreen
- · Hat
- · Light clothing
- · Refillable water bottle
Autumn
September – November
Cooling temperatures and autumn foliage. Shoulder season with good deals on accommodations.
Packing tips
- · Medium layers
- · Sweater
- · Waterproof jacket
Winter
December – February
Coldest months with shorter days. Holiday markets and winter activities in many cities.
Packing tips
- · Warm coat
- · Scarf and gloves
- · Thermal layers
- · Waterproof boots
Keep reading
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.