Best Time to Visit Chennai
India · Tropical Savanna climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit Chennai is:
February → March → April
February scores 82/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44 | 88 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 66 | 86 | 77 | 0 | |
| March | 59 | 78 | 68 | 0 | |
| April | 53 | 68 | 64 | 0 | |
| May | 31 | 62 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 31 | 62 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 34 | 68 | 0 | 0 | |
| August | 35 | 70 | 0 | 0 | |
| September | 36 | 72 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 38 | 76 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 42 | 85 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 44 | 88 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25.3°C (77.5°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| February | 25.8°C (78.4°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| March | 27.5°C (81.5°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| April | 29.5°C (85.1°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| May | 30.6°C (87.1°F) | Very Hot (30°C+) |
| June | 30.7°C (87.3°F) | Very Hot (30°C+) |
| July | 29.3°C (84.7°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| August | 29.0°C (84.2°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| September | 28.7°C (83.7°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| October | 27.7°C (81.9°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| November | 26.0°C (78.8°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| December | 25.5°C (77.9°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43.4 mm | 14.4 | Moderate |
| February | 7.7 mm | 5.4 | Dry |
| March | 10.8 mm | 5.6 | Dry |
| April | 11.9 mm | 10.0 | Dry |
| May | 88.9 mm | 15.0 | Wet |
| June | 71.7 mm | 20.8 | Wet |
| July | 140.3 mm | 25.8 | Very Wet |
| August | 141.9 mm | 27.4 | Very Wet |
| September | 144.4 mm | 25.4 | Very Wet |
| October | 215.2 mm | 25.6 | Very Wet |
| November | 443.3 mm | 26.2 | Very Wet |
| December | 230.0 mm | 20.6 | Very Wet |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.3 hrs | Excellent |
| February | 11.3 hrs | Excellent |
| March | 11.6 hrs | Excellent |
| April | 11.6 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 10.4 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 10.0 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 8.2 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 9.4 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 9.0 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 9.6 hrs | Excellent |
| November | 7.5 hrs | Good |
| December | 9.1 hrs | Excellent |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 29.2°C (84.6°F)
Rainfall: 37.2mm avg
Sunshine: 11.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 75.1%
Rainy Days: 10.2/mo
This is the warm season. Ideal for outdoor activities but be prepared for heat.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 29.7°C (85.5°F)
Rainfall: 118.0mm avg
Sunshine: 9.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 71.5%
Rainy Days: 24.7/mo
This is the warm season. Ideal for outdoor activities but be prepared for heat.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 27.5°C (81.5°F)
Rainfall: 267.6mm avg
Sunshine: 8.7 hrs/day
Humidity: 80.5%
Rainy Days: 25.7/mo
This is the warm season. Ideal for outdoor activities but be prepared for heat.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 25.5°C (77.9°F)
Rainfall: 93.7mm avg
Sunshine: 10.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 76.9%
Rainy Days: 13.5/mo
This is the warm season. Ideal for outdoor activities but be prepared for heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Chennai?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit Chennai are February, March, April, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. February scores 82/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in Chennai?
June is the hottest month with an average temperature of 30.7°C (87.3°F).
What is the coldest month in Chennai?
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 25.3°C (77.5°F).
When is the rainy season in Chennai?
November is the wettest month with an average of 443.3mm of precipitation. Chennai experiences about 222.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is February with 7.7mm.
What should I pack for a trip to Chennai?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (June is hottest at 30.7°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (January averages 25.3°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as Chennai receives 1550.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Chennai's climate is defined by its coastal location on the Bay of Bengal. The city receives most of its rainfall during the northeast monsoon from October to December. I found the best time for exploring the city's temples and beaches is January to March, when the weather is dry and temperatures are at their most comfortable. The summer months are intensely hot, with temperatures pushing 40°C.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 13.08°, 80.27°. Timezone: Asia/Kolkata. Last updated: 2026-07-30.