India

India Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in India in May.

🔎
New Delhi Varanasi Bengaluru Mumbai

Considering a trip to India this May and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What to Expect in India in May

The weather in India in May can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from very cold to very hot and precipitation levels ranging from almost none to heavy. May is a summer month.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very cold in Losar at -2°C (28°F) to very hot in Bori at 44°C (111°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 30°C (86°F) in Bori and -16°C (3°F) in Losar. In India, May typically stands out as the hottest month of the year. If you're planning a visit during this time, it would be wise to come prepared. Packing light and breathable summer cloths will ensure you stay comfortable throughout your stay.

For specific regional insights in India, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From almost no rainfall in Bhāvnagar with an average of 1.4 mm (0.1 in) to heavy rainfall in Kāziranga with 590 mm (23 in).

Average sunshine

Several destinations enjoy plenty of sunshine this month. New Delhi sees close to 286 hours of sunlight, making it great for sun lovers.

Explore India by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best Places to Visit in India in May

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across India.

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in India

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in India?

Temperature range in India (May)

Precipitation variation in India (May)

New Delhi

In May New Delhi generally has extremely high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 41°C (106°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 27°C (81°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
38°C (100°F)
41°C (106°F)
40°C (104°F)
Min temperature
23°C (73°F)
27°C (81°F)
29°C (84°F)
Monthly sun hours
280 hours
286 hours
225 hours
Monthly rainfall
16 mm (0.6 in)
21 mm (0.8 in)
75 mm (3 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
4 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
unpleasant
poor
Climate in New Delhi →

Bengaluru

In May Bengaluru generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 33°C (91°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 22°C (72°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
35°C (95°F)
33°C (91°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
22°C (72°F)
22°C (72°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly sun hours
258 hours
242 hours
140 hours
Monthly rainfall
49 mm (1.9 in)
127 mm (5 in)
125 mm (4.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
3 days
6 days
5 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
tolerable
tolerable
Climate in Bengaluru →

Jaipur

In May Jaipur generally has extremely high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 42°C (108°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 28°C (82°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
38°C (100°F)
42°C (108°F)
40°C (104°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
28°C (82°F)
29°C (84°F)
Monthly rainfall
7.3 mm (0.3 in)
13 mm (0.5 in)
62 mm (2.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
3 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
unpleasant
poor
Climate in Jaipur →

Chennai

In May Chennai generally has extremely high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 36°C (97°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 29°C (84°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
34°C (93°F)
36°C (97°F)
36°C (97°F)
Min temperature
27°C (81°F)
29°C (84°F)
29°C (84°F)
Monthly sun hours
291 hours
301 hours
230 hours
Monthly rainfall
18 mm (0.7 in)
40 mm (1.6 in)
73 mm (2.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
4 days
Weather conditions
pleasant
poor
poor
Climate in Chennai →

Mumbai

In May Mumbai generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 28°C (82°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
28°C (82°F)
27°C (81°F)
Monthly sun hours
284 hours
296 hours
149 hours
Monthly rainfall
0.7 mm (0.03 in)
20 mm (0.8 in)
433 mm (17 in)
Monthly rainy days
0 days
a single day
14 days
Weather conditions
perfect
perfect
poor
Climate in Mumbai →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in India.

In our records: India May extremes

Notable May records observed across cities in India in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the warmest May day in India reached 50°C (122°F) in Ahmedabad on May 19, 2016.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in India in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
New Delhi 41°C (106°F) 27°C (81°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Varanasi 41°C (106°F) 28°C (82°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Bengaluru 33°C (91°F) 22°C (72°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Mumbai 32°C (90°F) 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Kochi 30°C (86°F) 26°C (79°F) 334 mm (13 in)
Hyderabad 40°C (104°F) 28°C (82°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)

India weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in India in May?

In May, India generally has poor weather conditions. New Delhi sees daytime temperatures near 41°C (106°F), with nights cooling to roughly 27°C (81°F).

What is the average temperature in India in May?

New Delhi averages a daytime maximum of 41°C (106°F) in May, with overnight lows close to 27°C (81°F).

Does India get a lot of rain in May?

Rain is generally moderate to light in India during May, with New Delhi averaging close to 21 mm (0.8 in).

Is May a Good Time to Visit India?

In our view, May might not be the best time to travel to India with often unpleasant weather in New Delhi.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in January, February, November and December offering mostly perfect weather in New Delhi. On the other hand, the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in India.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to India? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in India.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.

A paradise called Andaman Islands

Though officially Indian, the Andamans are nearer Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand, resulting in amazing, budget-friendly white-sand beaches.
The 5 most beautiful monasteries in Ladakh

Explore Ladakh's spiritual essence through its incredible Buddhist monasteries. See architectural wonders, rich traditions, and serene landscapes in this guide.
Sleeping under the stars and riding camels in Rajasthan

A desert safari in Jaisalmer is definitely one of the highlights during a visit to India. Spending a night in the desert is a great adventurous bucket list experience.
Avoid mass tourism on an eco boat in the backwaters of Kerala

We can tell you now how you can avoid being surrounded by tourists and at the same time minimize your impact on the environment.
Must visit in India →