India Climate
Top 5 Cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata
This month in numbers
India experienced its 15th warmest April on record, with an average temperature of 28.51°C, an anomaly of +0.8°C compared to the 1961–1990 baseline. Globally, April 2026 was the 2nd warmest April for land temperatures, with an anomaly of +1.1°C. The three-month period from February to April 2026 was particularly notable for India, ranking as the 3rd warmest on record with an average temperature of 24.81°C, a significant +1.2°C anomaly.
What changed
The seasonal trend for India from February to April 2026 shows a marked warming, with the country experiencing its 3rd warmest such period on record. This aligns with a broader global trend, as global land temperatures for the same three-month period also ranked as the 2nd warmest on record. India's annual average temperature for 2025 was 24.74°C, making it the 2nd warmest year in records stretching back to 1941. The long-term trend for India indicates a warming of +0.69°C compared to the 1961–1990 baseline. India's latest 1-month anomaly of +0.83°C places it 193rd out of 234 regions globally, while its 3-month anomaly of +1.17°C ranks it 169th.
What’s driving change?
The elevated temperatures in India are largely driven by a combination of factors, including the overarching influence of human-driven climate change. Meteorological conditions contributing to the April 2026 heatwave were up to 2°C warmer than in the past due to climate change. India has been experiencing significant heatwave conditions, with several regions recording temperatures between 43°C and 45°C as early as mid-April. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that above-normal heatwave conditions are likely between April and June. This early onset of extreme heat has raised concerns about the intensity and frequency of heatwaves in the coming months. A heat dome, a stalled high-pressure system, has also reinforced the broader warming trend, trapping hot air near the surface and intensifying the heat. Furthermore, a single wildfire event was logged in India between April 20 and May 5, representing 100% of the annual total for the past 12 months, an unusual concentration that has been linked to drier, hotter conditions and a shift in fire season, particularly in regions like Uttarakhand. The current ENSO state is Neutral, with an anomaly of +0.11°C for February-April 2026. However, the NOAA CPC forecast indicates a 61% chance of El Niño developing during May-July, increasing to 79% for June-August and 87% for July-September. Historically, El Niño conditions in India during the June-September monsoon season are associated with warmer and drier conditions and a weaker southwest summer monsoon, with approximately 60% of all-India droughts since 1900 occurring in El Niño years ENSO tracker.
Looking ahead
The India Meteorological Department forecasts that the 2026 southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall is most likely to be below normal, at 92% of the Long Period Average, with a model error of ±5%.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
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Data Sources
Data Sources for India
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) — see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in India changing?
India is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The trend rate is shown as °C per decade in the headline panel; you can also see the warmest and coolest years on file.
Where does the climate data for India come from?
Climate data for India comes from Our World in Data, sourcing Copernicus ERA5 and HadCRUT5 (national temperature anomaly) and the Global Carbon Project via Our World in Data (CO₂ emissions), refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the India climate data cover?
The India climate profile covers Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and surrounding areas. Extreme heat, monsoon shifts and the fastest-growing energy market
How often is the India climate update refreshed?
The India climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.