Climate Insights for Varanasi

The climate in Varanasi is hot. The average annual temperature is 26°C and approximately 1198mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 434mm of rainfall. Varanasi is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: May, April, June. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to 10°C.

Temperatures in Varanasi vary considerably across the year, with a 30°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. May is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 40°C and an average of 33°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 10°C and an average of 16°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 10°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between March and April, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.

Varanasi is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1198mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 100mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 434mm of rainfall. August and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is November, with just 1mm. That's 433mm less than July, 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.

Varanasi is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 2km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is June, averaging 3km/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 1km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently summer in Varanasi, which began on June 21, 2026. Varanasi 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 May at around 40°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 10°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 93 days from now.

The best time to visit Varanasi is during January, February, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 8mm per month. By contrast, May can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 40°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Varanasi 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.