Climate Insights for Kolkata

The climate in Kolkata is hot. The average annual temperature is 27°C and approximately 1767mm of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 399mm of rainfall. Kolkata is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: April, May, June. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to 14°C.

Temperatures in Kolkata vary considerably across the year, with a 21°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. April is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 35°C and an average of 30°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 14°C and an average of 19°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between January and February, with a 4°C shift in average temperatures.

Kolkata is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1767mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 147mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 399mm of rainfall. July and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 12mm. That's 388mm less than August, 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.

Kolkata is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 3km/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 4km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in October, with average winds dropping to 2km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 2km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently summer in Kolkata, which began on June 21, 2026. Kolkata 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 April at around 35°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 14°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 92 days from now.

The best time to visit Kolkata is during January, February, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 22°C with modest rainfall averaging 33mm per month. By contrast, April can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 35°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Kolkata 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.