Climate Overview
The climate in Chennai is hot. The average annual temperature is 28°C and approximately 1167mm of precipitation falls per year. November is the wettest month, receiving around 348mm of rainfall. Chennai is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: June, May, July. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 23°C.
Temperature
Chennai sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 23°C to 34°C. The warmest month is June, when average highs reach 34°C and the mean temperature sits around 31°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 23°C and an average of 26°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 5°C between highs and lows.
Precipitation
Chennai is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1167mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 97mm per month. The wettest month is November, averaging 348mm of rainfall. October and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 5mm. That's 343mm less than November, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.
Wind
Chennai is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 18km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is May, averaging 20km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in October, with average winds dropping to 15km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 5km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 17km/h in winter, 19km/h in spring, 19km/h in summer, 17km/h in autumn.
Seasons
89 days until Summer
It is currently spring in Chennai, which began on March 20, 2026. Chennai is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in June at around 34°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 23°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 26 to 34°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 82mm over the season and a monthly average of 27mm. Winds are moderate at around 19km/h. Light layers work well as temperatures warm through the season — a great time to be outdoors.
Summer
Temperatures range from 27 to 34°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 280mm for the season, averaging 93mm per month. Winds are moderate at around 19km/h. Stay hydrated, wear sun protection, and seek shade during the hottest hours of the day.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 25 to 32°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 615mm across the season with a monthly average of 205mm. Winds are moderate at around 17km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 23 to 29°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 189mm for the season, averaging 63mm per month. Winds are moderate at around 17km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Chennai based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.
