Chennai Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Chennai’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in India.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Year-round, Chennai experiences a consistently very warm climate. On average, maximum daytime temperatures range from a very hot 36°C in May to a comfortable 29°C in January. Nighttime temperatures can drop, with averages reaching 23°C in January.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Chennai by month:
Typically, the coolest time of day is between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the hottest time occurs around 3 PM, when the sun’s heating effect is strongest. May, the city’s warmest month, experiences 301 hours of sunshine.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
January, the city’s coldest month, sees about 17 mm of rainfall spread over roughly a single day. It records 230 hours of sunshine of sunshine.
Annual Temperatures in India Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across India. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
very warm
warm
pleasant
moderate
cold
very cold
Chennai Temperatures Compared World Wide
Chennai’s average annual maximum temperature is 32°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
The city of Rome, Italy, has an average annual temperature of 20°C, known for its sunny summers and comfortable winters.
Meanwhile, Queenstown, New Zealand, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 10°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
Chicago, USA, has a significant seasonal range, with an average annual temperature of 15°C.
Adelaide, Australia, enjoys warm summers and mild winters, with an average annual temperature of 21°C.
How does the temperature feel?
Humidity is an essential factor in how you experience temperature. When a warm period is accompanied by high humidity, it results in a higher perceived temperature. This is especially true when temperatures exceed 25°C, as it can cause greater discomfort.
In Chennai, during the coolest month, January, you will experience 67% humidity, which is considered high. This is accompanied by an average maximum temperature of 29°C. In the warmest month, May, the humidity is 68% combined with an average maximum temperature of 36°C, which creates a high-feel temperature. Explore our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Temperatures in the Mountains
Although not all regions have mountains, elevated areas exhibit distinct temperature variations.
- Sun Exposure: Sunlit slopes tend to be warmer, while shaded areas remain cooler.
- Altitude Effects: Temperatures drop by approximately 6°C for every 1,000 meters of elevation, creating distinct microclimates.
For more detailed information about Chennai’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Chennai climate page.
Current temperature in Chennai
