Travel time: Year-round
Delhi’s climate is a study in extremes. Situated in the landlocked Northern Plains of India, its weather is shaped by the competing influences of the Thar Desert to the west and the Himalayas to the north. This geographical tug-of-war results in a humid subtropical climate that swings from bone-dry heat to sweltering monsoons and bone-chilling, foggy winters.
Summers in Delhi are notoriously intense. Starting in April, temperatures climb rapidly, often exceeding 40°C (104°F) by May. This period is characterized by the Loo, a hot, dry, and dust-laden wind that blows from the desert regions during the day. It creates a "hairdryer effect" where the air feels physically abrasive. Dust storms, locally called Andhi, are common in May and June, momentarily plunging the city into a sepia-toned twilight.
The arrival of the South-West Monsoon brings a dramatic shift. While the actual air temperature may drop slightly—averaging around 35°C (95°F)—the humidity surges. This creates a high heat index, where the weather "feels" much hotter and more suffocating than the thermometer suggests. August is typically the wettest month, featuring sudden, torrential downpours that can saturate the city in minutes, followed by periods of intense steaminess.
As the rains recede, Delhi experiences a month or two of clear skies and mild warmth. Daytime temperatures settle in the upper 20s or low 30s (°C), while nights begin to cool. However, this is also the period when the city's air quality typically begins to deteriorate due to atmospheric stagnation and regional agricultural patterns.
Winters are surprisingly cold. While days are often sunny and pleasant (around 20°C/68°F), night temperatures frequently drop to 5°C (41°F) or lower. A hallmark of the Delhi winter is its dense radiation fog, which often blankets the city from late December through January, significantly reducing visibility and creating a damp, biting chill that remains in the air until the sun breaks through at midday.
Spring is short but considered the most pleasant time in the city. The weather is crisp, with moderate temperatures and low humidity, marking a final period of respite before the rapid ascent into summer heat.
In the summer, the temperature peaks between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, with very little cooling until well after midnight. Conversely, winter sees a massive temperature inversion; the coldest point is usually just before dawn, and the air only feels warm when sitting directly in the winter sun.
Delhi exhibits a strong Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. Densely packed neighborhoods with concrete structures like Connaught Place or Chandni Chowk can be 3°C to 5°C hotter than greener, more open areas like the Lutyens' Delhi zone or the Ridge forest. The presence of the Yamuna River also creates localized humidity pockets, particularly in East Delhi, which can feel more oppressive during the transition months.
Locals have lived by the rhythm of these extremes for centuries. In summer, the city goes quiet during the "fiery" afternoon hours (12 PM – 4 PM), with life moving indoors and a heavy reliance on dessert coolers (evaporative cooling) or air conditioning. Winter mornings are synonymous with chai and "sun-basking"—a local tradition of sitting in parks or on rooftops to soak up the midday warmth. During the monsoon, the first rains are often celebrated, though residents quickly adapt to the logistical challenges of localized flooding.
Historically, Delhi has seen rare extremes, with record highs reaching nearly 50°C (122°F) and lows dipping occasionally toward the freezing point. Recent years have seen a trend toward shorter, more intense monsoon bursts and prolonged periods of high heat index values due to increased urbanization.