Delhi is the multinational city of India, the second largest after Mumbai. A separate modern district of the city of Delhi - New Delhi is the capital of India.

It is situated in northern part of the country on Indo-Ganetic Plain. The city itself lies on a plain ground. Hills of Delhi Range are going around the city from south to north-west do not influence on weather of the region.

Delhi has semi-arid climate with strong influence of monsoon winds between June and September. Summer in the city is long and hot. Influence of dry and hot desert air masses combines with humid monsoon winds from above the Indian Ocean creating almost intolerable weather conditions. Winters in Delhi are cool and dry, drier than in some localities of same longitude. Cold air from Himalayas brings frequent fogs.

Of holidays in India

Due to religious versatility there is some kind of holiday or festival almost at any given day. Since over 80% of population is practicing Hinduism following lists of holidays will contain respective holidays with public holidays and unofficial observances. Dates for celebrations in Hinduism are defined by special lunar calendar, so following lists will provide respective ranges of dates in Gregorian calendar.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Delhi

Rapid growth of temperature that had started in February continues in March. First spring month has average range between 28 °С (82 °F) and 15 °С (59 °F). Staying in Delhi in March is tolerable due to low relative humidity. Rains are not as frequent, though there is slight probability of sand storm. In April weather becomes almost unbearable. Averages of 22-36 °С (36-97 °F) combined with high probability of sandstorms aren’t the best conditions for visit.

May in Delhi is very sultry. According to averages it is the hottest month of a year. At afternoon air is as hot as 39 °С (102 °F) and occasionally even higher and at night it cools down to 26 °С (79 °F). Dust storms are common for this month. Staying outside or in unconditioned rooms is complete hell in this time.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 17 mm (0.7")

April Max average t°: +36 °C (97 °F) Min average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 7 mm (0.3")

May Max average t°: +40 °C (104 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 8 mm (0.3")

Spring Holidays

March-April – Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti.

April 1 – April Fool’s Day.
April 14 – Dr BL Ambedkar's Birthday.

May – Buddha Purnima.

Summer in Delhi

June differs from May only by beginning of monsoon season. Second half of the month is time of frequent rains. Rainfall brings minor relief because high temperature combined with high air humidity is suffocative mixture. Temperature averages for June are ranging from 27 °С (80 °F) at night to 37 °С (98 °F) at afternoon. In July daytime average temperature decreases to 34 °С (93 °F) and night are same as they were in June. Thunder and torrential showers occur each three days.

August is the rainiest month of a year. Up to 60% of annual amount of precipitation falls in July and August. The sky is cloudy for most of time and relative air humidity may reach 90% at night. Strongest of showers resulting flooded streets. Though temperature become lower with daily range of 26-32 °С (79-89 °F), visit Delhi in August isn’t the best idea.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +39 °C (102°F) Min average t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 65 mm (2.5")

July Max average t°: +35 °C (95 °F) Min average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 210 mm (8.3")

August Max average t°: +34 °C (93 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 175 mm (6.9")

Summer Holidays

June-July – International Mango Festival.
August 15 – Independence Day.
August-September – Janmastami.

Autumn in Delhi

Weather in Delhi gradually improves with course of the season. In September monsoons start to calm down. It results slight warming, but high temperature with dry air is more tolerable, but September isn’t the best time to visit the city anyway. October brings cooling. At afternoons of this month air warms to 33 °С (91 °F) but at night cools down to 21 °С (70 °F).

November marks beginning of the busiest time in Delhi. It is the driest month of a year and in addition, temperature shifts in appropriate range of 13-27 °С (55-62 °F). It is great time for excursions or solo wandering around the city (not recommended for beginner travelers).

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +34 °C (93 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 150 mm (5.9")

October Max average t°: +34 °C (93 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2")

November Max average t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0 mm (0.0")

Autumn Holidays

October – Dussehra.
October 2 – Gandhi Jayanti.
October-November – Diwali.

November – Guru Nanak Jayant.
November 14 – Children Day.
November-December – Delhi Comic Con, Qutub Festival.

Winter in Delhi

December weather in Delhi is much better than it usually is in previous months. Daytime averages are in range of 10-21 °С (50-70 °F), so some layering is needed for evening strolls. Tendency of great weather continues in January too. Temperature ranges between 7 °С (44 °F) at night and 17 °С (62 °F) at afternoon. Sky is sunny and there is only around 3 rainy days per month.

February is dry and cool too. In second half of the month temperature rises to 26 °С (79 °F) and then drops to 11 °С (50 °F) at night. In general winter is the best time to visit the city. There are only two downsides: thick fog in morning and rather low temperatures. Half of them can be solved by couple of sweaters of jacket.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 5 mm (0.2")

January Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 25 mm (1.0")

February Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 20 mm (0.8")

Winter Holidays

December – Lohri Festival.
December-January – Putrada Ekadasi.

January – Shat-tila Ekadasi.
January 1 – New Year celebration.
January 5 – Guru Gobdin Singh’s Birthday.
January 14 – Pongal (Harvest Festival), International Day of Kites.
Between December and February – World Book Fair.
January 15 – Army Day celebration.
January 26 – Republic Day Celebration.

February – The Delhi Flower Show, Jaya Ekadasi.
February 14 – St valentine’s Day.
February-March – Holi.