Delhi’s summer hits with a mix of extremes and surprises. You’ll get weeks of scorching heat, with average highs soaring past 38 °C (100 °F) until the monsoon finally rolls in and shakes things up.
The season isn’t just about relentless sun—early on, dry heat takes center stage, but as the monsoon nears, humidity creeps in.
If you spend time in Delhi during these months, you’ll notice more than just heat. Dust storms whip through, hot winds called loo make afternoons brutal, and sudden thunderstorms can catch you off guard.
When the monsoon edges closer, the air thickens, clouds pile up, and rain changes the city’s pace.
If you get a handle on these weather patterns, you’ll have a better shot at planning your days—whether you’re heading out, shifting your schedule, or just curious about how Delhi’s climate shapes daily life.
Let’s break down temperatures, rainfall, daylight, and the quirks that make Delhi’s summer so unique.
Overview of Delhi’s Summer Climate
Delhi’s summers come shaped by its spot far inland, its semi-arid landscape, and how close it sits to the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. You’ll slog through long, hot spells with dry winds, then wade into sticky humidity and monsoon rains that offer only brief relief.
Geographical Location and Climate Type
Delhi sits in northern India, right on the Indo-Gangetic Plains, with no coastline in sight. Because of this landlocked spot, you don’t get any cooling from big bodies of water. Instead, Delhi gets battered by continental air.
The city’s climate falls under hot semi-arid (BSh), but it’s close to humid subtropical (Cwa) territory too. This blend brings wild swings in temperature and humidity all year.
In the summer, loo winds blow in from the Thar Desert, sending daytime temperatures soaring—over 45 °C (113 °F) isn’t unheard of. At the same time, Delhi’s proximity to the Himalayas nudges wind patterns, eventually helping pull in the monsoon.
So, thanks to dry desert winds and tropical monsoon shifts, you get both blistering dry days and muggy rainy stretches, sometimes in the same week.
Seasonal Patterns and Duration
Delhi’s summer usually kicks off in early April and drags on until mid-June, when the monsoon finally breaks the heat. The worst of it hits from late May through early June, with average highs around 38–40 °C (100–104 °F), and sometimes even hotter.
You can split the season into two parts:
- Dry Summer (April–June, pre-monsoon): You’ll deal with low humidity, dust storms, and those infamous hot winds.
- Humid Monsoon (late June–September): Heavy rain, high humidity, and slightly cooler—but still hot—days take over.
Monsoon rains dump about 750–800 mm each year, and August usually gets the most. Rain cools things off for a bit, but the humidity can make everything feel stickier.
Nights stay warm too, often above 25 °C (77 °F).
This back-and-forth between dry heat and steamy rains really shapes what summer feels like in Delhi.
Comparison with Other Indian Cities
If you stack Delhi’s summer against coastal cities like Mumbai or Chennai, the contrast is clear. Those places have maritime climates, and sea breezes keep things below 35 °C (95 °F) most days.
Delhi, with no ocean nearby, just keeps heating up.
Compared to Jaipur, another northern city, Delhi gets a bit more humidity thanks to the monsoon. But Jaipur, sitting closer to the desert, can match or even beat Delhi’s top temperatures.
Meanwhile, hill stations like Shimla or Nainital, not that far away, stay much cooler, rarely seeing summer highs over 30 °C (86 °F). This sharp difference over short distances shows just how much Delhi’s geography matters.
If you’re traveling, brace yourself for blistering, dry days in May and humid, rainy weeks in July and August—a far cry from the steadier weather along India’s coasts or up in the hills.
Typical Summer Temperatures
New Delhi’s summer really cranks up the heat. You’ll slog through long stretches of hot days and warm nights, with the air shifting from dry to humid as the season goes on.
Average High and Low Temperatures
In summer, average highs run from about 92°F to 103°F (33°C to 39°C). Early June usually brings the worst of the heat, while late August feels a bit less intense. Highs almost never dip below 86°F, so you’re in for consistently hot days.
Average lows don’t offer much relief—think 76°F to 83°F (24°C to 28°C). Even at night, the air stays warm, and sleeping without AC can be rough.
The most brutal heat hits from late May to late June, with highs often over 100°F. By August, daily highs drop to the low 90s, but the humidity makes it feel heavier.
Monthly Temperature Variations
June is Delhi’s hottest month, with average highs around 101°F (38°C) and lows near 83°F (28°C). This is when you really feel the dry heat before the monsoon breaks through.
In July, things ease a bit, with highs around 95°F (35°C). But then humidity spikes, making the air feel thick and sticky.
By August, highs slip down to about 92°F (33°C), and nights hover in the upper 70s. The temperature isn’t as fierce as June, but the muggy air can still be tough to handle.
So, you’ll sweat through the harshest heat in June and the stickiest humidity in August.
Daytime vs Nighttime Temperatures
Daytime in summer means blazing sun and high heat. On many afternoons, the temperature jumps above 100°F (38°C), especially in June. If you’re out and about midday, you’ll want shade or a cool spot to duck into.
At night, it barely cools down—temperatures often stay above 80°F (27°C). Unlike some places where evenings bring relief, Delhi keeps the heat going well after sunset.
High humidity and all that concrete and asphalt in the city trap heat, so buildings and roads soak it up during the day and slowly release it after dark.
Rainfall and Humidity During Summer
Delhi’s summer weather flips from bone-dry in April and May to humid and wet once the monsoon arrives. Rain and rising humidity have a big impact on comfort, travel, and even air quality.
Onset and Impact of Monsoon
The summer heat finally starts to ease when the southwest monsoon hits Delhi, usually late June or early July. Suddenly, the dry, hot winds give way to moist air coming up from the Arabian Sea.
Rain knocks daytime highs down a notch, but heavy humidity often cancels out the relief. Intense downpours can flood streets quickly, making traffic and public transport a hassle.
You’ll see more clouds, frequent thunderstorms, and sometimes dust storms right before the rains start. These storms can cool things off for a moment, but the sticky air comes right back.
Travelers have to juggle both the hassles and perks. Sightseeing gets tricky during heavy rain, but parks and gardens look lush and green.
Average Rainfall Amounts
Summer rain in Delhi comes in bursts. June usually brings light to moderate showers, but July and August really pour it on. August is the wettest month.
- June: about 80 mm
- July: around 190–200 mm
- August: about 220–230 mm
- September: near 120–130 mm
Most of Delhi’s yearly rain falls in just three months. Sudden, heavy cloudbursts are common and can dump a lot of water fast.
Some parts of the city have drainage issues, leading to waterlogging. If you’re traveling, plan for delays during this season.
Humidity Levels and Seasonal Changes
Before the monsoon, humidity stays low—often under 30%. This dry air, paired with temps over 40 °C, makes May especially tough.
Once the rains start, humidity shoots up, often hitting 70–90% on wet days. Even when the temperature drops to the low 30s °C, the air feels hotter because of all the moisture.
You’ll probably notice mornings and evenings feel especially sticky. Laundry takes ages to dry, and the air indoors can feel heavy unless you have some kind of cooling.
By late September, as the monsoon moves out, humidity drops again. Days stay warm, but the drier air feels a lot more comfortable than during peak rainy season.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
Delhi’s summer brings long, sunny days, but sunshine hours and daylight length shift as the months go by. Cloud cover changes too, affecting how bright things feel, even if the days are still long.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
You’ll usually get 7 to 9.5 hours of sunshine per day in Delhi during summer. May is the sunniest, with close to 9.5 hours, while July and August drop down to about 5.5–6 hours thanks to the monsoon clouds.
If you’re planning outdoor stuff, this matters. Early summer gives you long, bright days, while mid-summer means shorter sunny spells between overcast skies.
Here’s a quick look:
| Month | Average Sunshine Hours per Day |
|---|---|
| May | ~9.5 hours |
| June | ~8.5 hours |
| July | ~5.9 hours |
| August | ~6.0 hours |
The dip in July and August isn’t because the days are shorter—it’s just all those clouds blocking the sun.
Variation in Daylight Length
Daylight in Delhi stretches from about 13 hours 45 minutes in June to 10 hours 10 minutes in December. In summer, you get some of the longest days of the year. The summer solstice in June is the peak, with days nearly three and a half hours longer than in winter.
In May and June, sunrise comes early—often before 5:30 a.m.—and sunset lingers past 7:00 p.m. That’s a lot of usable daylight, even if clouds sometimes keep things gray.
By late August, daylight hours shrink a bit, but they still stay above 12 hours. Evenings start showing up earlier as the monsoon wraps up.
Cloud Cover and Sky Conditions
Clouds really change how much sun you see. Early summer skies are mostly clear, with only about 6% cloud cover on average. By July, that jumps, and up to 35% of days can be mostly overcast.
That’s why sunshine hours drop off during monsoon season. Even with long days, the sky often stays hazy or just plain cloudy, blocking direct sunlight.
If you’re traveling, expect bright, open skies in May and June, and more humid, cloud-heavy days in July and August. The way the sky looks can really affect everything from sightseeing to snapping photos.
Notable Weather Phenomena and Influences
Delhi’s summer weather isn’t just about heat. Intense temperatures, shifting winds, and sudden weather changes all play a part. You’ll deal with not only high temps but also surprise storms, dusty winds, and the occasional regional weather twist that can shake up your plans or daily routine.
Heatwaves and Extreme Temperatures
Delhi gets hit with extreme heat from late April through June. Average highs hover around 40 °C (104 °F), but heatwaves sometimes push the mercury up to 45–47 °C (113–117 °F).
Afternoons can feel brutal, and being outdoors isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s risky. The city sits far from the coast, so there’s no sea breeze to take the edge off.
Hot winds, or loo, blow in from the Thar Desert, bringing dry air that makes everything feel even hotter. It’s not just the thermometer—your whole body feels it.
Delhi once reached a scorching 49.9 °C (121.8 °F), which is just wild. Researchers track these extremes using climate records and satellite tools like the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM).
These tools show how the land’s shape and height affect where the heat settles across the region.
Thunderstorms and Wind Patterns
In late summer, sudden thunderstorms often roll in. Usually, they form in May and June when the heat makes the air unstable.
You’ll get quick bursts of rain, some lightning, and wild winds. For a moment, the city cools down, but the storms can cause chaos too.
Dust storms show up pretty regularly as well. Strong winds pick up fine desert dust, making the air hazy and turning everything a weird yellow.
Sometimes dust storms come before thunderstorms. They might drop the temperature a bit, but they also make the air tough to breathe.
Wind patterns don’t stay the same all season. Early summer brings hot, dry winds from the west.
By late June, the southwest monsoon winds arrive, and suddenly the air feels sticky and humid. This switch is a big deal—it’s like the whole city changes overnight.
Occasional Cyclones and Weather Events
Delhi sits far from the coast, but you can still feel the after-effects of cyclones from the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea.
When these storms move inland, they sometimes send humid air or leftover storm patterns toward northern India.
If those mix with Western Disturbances from the northwest, Delhi can get heavy rain or weird wind shifts.
It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, the weather gets unpredictable, especially right before the monsoon hits.
Sometimes, these storm systems cause sudden drops in temperature, heavy downpours, or long stretches of cloud cover.
If you’re traveling, it’s smart to be ready for surprises, even though most of the season stays dry and hot.
Environmental and Geographical Factors
Delhi’s summer feels the way it does because of the city’s dense sprawl, its spot between the Himalayas and the Thar Desert, and how plants and land cover mess with heat and moisture.
All these things come together and make Delhi hotter and drier than the countryside around it.
Urban Heat Island Effect
You’ll notice Delhi feels hotter than nearby rural spots, thanks to the urban heat island effect.
All that concrete, asphalt, and glass soaks up heat during the day and slowly releases it at night.
So, even after sunset, the city stays warmer than open fields. Air conditioning, heavy traffic, and factories add even more heat.
Studies show cities can be 2–9 °C hotter than the surrounding countryside. In Delhi, the difference feels huge during summer when everything’s already baking.
Tall buildings block airflow and trap warm air close to the ground. That makes it hard for the city to cool off, especially during a heatwave.
You might notice that, while open land cools down quickly at night, the city just keeps on radiating heat.
Role of Topography in Weather Patterns
Delhi sits on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and that really shapes its summer weather. The city lies between the Himalayan mountains to the north and the Thar Desert to the west.
Both of these play a big part in the winds and temperatures you get. In May and June, hot, dry loo winds from the desert often sweep in, pushing daytime highs over 45 °C.
Meanwhile, the Himalayas block cooler air from the north, trapping heat over the plains.
Satellite data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) backs this up. The flat land around Delhi lets the heat spread easily, and there’s not much elevation to help cool things down.
That’s why Delhi’s summers feel so much harsher than in the hill towns only a few hours away.
Vegetation and Land Cover Impact
The type and amount of vegetation really shape how hot Delhi feels in summer. Trees and green cover don’t just look nice—they provide shade and cool the air by increasing humidity through evapotranspiration.
But bare soil and paved surfaces? They just soak up heat and bounce it back into the air. That’s why some parts of the city feel like an oven.
Globally, forests cover about 31% of land area, but cities take up only a tiny slice. In Delhi, though, built-up land dominates.
This lack of green cover limits natural cooling, so the urban heat island effect gets worse.
Local parks, gardens, and tree-lined streets can actually lower temperatures by a few degrees compared to the concrete-heavy areas nearby.
If you walk through neighborhoods with more trees, you’ll notice it feels cooler, especially after sunset.
So, land cover really does play a big role in shaping microclimates all over the city.