Visiting India – When to go?

From tropical temperatures to skin-drenching monsoons, Indian weather is as cosmopolitan as the country itself.

As the seventh physically largest country in the world it is hardly surprising that India has such a diverse climate. Such variety adds flavour for visitors to the country and allows tourists to enjoy winter and summer concurrently in different parts of the country. In fact India is categorised as having six unique climate subtypes, with the country’s geography and local variances each adding to the weather’s character.

Read on to find out about all of India’s climate regions and the best times of year to visit this south Asian wonder.

Climate regions

Wet and Monsoon climate

India’s Western Ghats and Assam regions are characterised by their consistently high temperatures and seasonal rainfall. An average of 78cm falls between May and November, helping to fuel these areas famous tropical wet forests containing many of India’s most well-known animals.

Wet and savannah climate

Across the majority of the peninsula of India the temperature rarely falls below 18 degrees, with winter and the beginning of summer significantly dry. In fact these areas can get so hot that the temperature can reach as high as 45 degrees in the height of July.

Steppe climate

With the Tropic of Cancer bisecting India, it is hardly surprising that much of the country is semi-arid. Visitors to Karnataka, western Tamil Nadu or central Maharashtra can expect little rainfall other than during the summer monsoon period. Much of the land is open and unworried by vegetation, which means monthly temperatures of 32 degrees.

Sub-tropical desert climate

These areas typically see less than 30cm of rainfall each year and are prone to extremes in its climate. Western Rajasthan is the most famous of these areas, with the area sparsely populated due to the temperatures which can reach 50 degrees.

Sub-tropical humid climate

Bihar, parts of West Bengal and Assam experience this diverse kind of climate. Winters are usually dry, while temperatures can reach 46 degrees during summer. Rainfall varies between 65cm and 250cm annually meaning the area has a rich array of flowers and fauna.

Mountain and Highland climate

While India might have a large proportion of dry areas, sections in the north of the country are characterised by the Himalayas and an alpine climate. From Jamma to Uttarakhand and Sikkim to Arunachai Pradesh, these areas are renowned for their variety of weather. Some of the regions receive snow and are characterised by lower average temperatures while areas to the south of the mountain range are typically protected from colder Asian winds during winter.

When is it best to visit India?

When you visit India depends entirely on your destination, with the blistering heat and severe snowfalls capable of happening at the same time in different parts of the country.

During the humid summer months many tourists enjoy visiting the country’s alpine regions, where they can escape the oppressive heat of certain southern states. India’s national parks are especially popular during summer, with tiger spotting just one of many activities holidaymakers can enjoy.

The monsoon season makes it harder for visitors to travel around the country, although areas such as Ladakh largely avoid the treacherous conditions and offer tourists many seasonal attractions.

Throughout winter the south of India still enjoys remarkably pleasant conditions with the state of Tamil Nadu particularly lovely. Tourists from around the globe flock to the hotels in Chennai, the state’s capital city, to enjoy the Marina Beach and the region’s vibrant cultural attractions.

Have you ever been to India? When would you recommend for tourists to visit the country?

-        By Chris Mustaine
Follow Chris on Twitter @MeChrisMustaine