Kolkata, India Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Kolkata
Kolkata's year is organised around rain rather than temperature. 58% of its 73.3 inches (1863 mm) annual total arrives in the July to September window, while January averages 19 mm (0.7 in). Temperatures move far less: 94°F (34°C) at the year's warmest against 77°F (25°C) at its coolest.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: May - highs near 94°F (34°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 77°F (25°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 110°F (44°C) high · 48°F (9°C) low
- Wettest month: July (30 rainy days) · Sunniest: April (10.9 h sun/day)
- Climate type: tropical wet-and-dry
- Annual swing: 11°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 8°C
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 8
- Average humidity: 77%
Temperatures through the year
Warmth peaks in May: highs of 94°F (34°C), lows of 80°F (27°C). January sits at the other end of the year: 77°F (25°C) by day, 57°F (14°C) at night. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 110°F (44°C) and bottoms at 48°F (9°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records. Rainfall is strongly seasonal: 58% of the annual total falls in the July to September window, leaving January at 19 mm (0.7 in).
Rain, sun and snow
April is the brightest month at 10.9 hours of sun a day, against an annual average of 9.3. Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 8 months of the year, March through October being the unbroken run.
How Kolkata compares
- 58% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more seasonal than 89% of the 3496 cities we track.
- Kolkata averages 79°F (26°C) across the year - warmer than 88% of the 3496 cities we track.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77° | 57° | 2 | 0.7 in | 9.7 h/day | 10.9 h | 6% | 72% |
| February | 84° | 63° | 2 | 1.0 in | 10.3 h/day | 11.4 h | 9% | 68% |
| March | 91° | 71° | 6 | 1.5 in | 10.5 h/day | 12.0 h | 19% | 68% |
| April | 96° | 78° | 9 | 3.1 in | 10.9 h/day | 12.6 h | 29% | 71% |
| May | 94° | 80° | 14 | 5.7 in | 10.3 h/day | 13.2 h | 45% | 77% |
| June | 92° | 81° | 22 | 9.2 in | 8.6 h/day | 13.5 h | 74% | 82% |
| July | 89° | 80° | 30 | 15.8 in | 7.8 h/day | 13.4 h | 95% | 86% |
| August | 88° | 79° | 29 | 15.2 in | 7.6 h/day | 12.9 h | 94% | 87% |
| September | 88° | 79° | 26 | 11.6 in | 8.0 h/day | 12.2 h | 87% | 87% |
| October | 87° | 75° | 14 | 7.1 in | 9.1 h/day | 11.6 h | 46% | 83% |
| November | 84° | 67° | 2 | 1.3 in | 9.6 h/day | 11.0 h | 7% | 74% |
| December | 78° | 60° | 2 | 1.2 in | 9.1 h/day | 10.8 h | 6% | 73% |
Kolkata month by month
Average high and low for each month, with the bar showing where it sits in Kolkata's year (left is the coldest night, right is the warmest afternoon).
January
- Rain
- 2 days
- Sunshine
- 9.7 h
- Daylight
- 10.9 h
February
- Rain
- 2 days
- Sunshine
- 10.3 h
- Daylight
- 11.4 h
March
- Rain
- 6 days
- Sunshine
- 10.5 h
- Daylight
- 12.0 h
April
- Rain
- 9 days
- Sunshine
- 10.9 h
- Daylight
- 12.6 h
May
- Rain
- 14 days
- Sunshine
- 10.3 h
- Daylight
- 13.2 h
June
- Rain
- 22 days
- Sunshine
- 8.6 h
- Daylight
- 13.5 h
July
- Rain
- 30 days
- Sunshine
- 7.8 h
- Daylight
- 13.4 h
August
- Rain
- 29 days
- Sunshine
- 7.6 h
- Daylight
- 12.9 h
September
- Rain
- 26 days
- Sunshine
- 8.0 h
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
October
- Rain
- 14 days
- Sunshine
- 9.1 h
- Daylight
- 11.6 h
November
- Rain
- 2 days
- Sunshine
- 9.6 h
- Daylight
- 11.0 h
December
- Rain
- 2 days
- Sunshine
- 9.1 h
- Daylight
- 10.8 h
Warmer places to go, by month: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Seasons in Kolkata
March through May
Through March through May, Kolkata turns very hot: 94°F (34°C) by day, 76°F (25°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 29 days across the season. Daylight is generous - around 10.6 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
June through August
June through August sits firmly in the heat here - highs near 90°F (32°C), nights near 80°F (27°C), and rain falls on around 81 of the 90 days.
September through November
September through November sits firmly in the heat here - highs near 86°F (30°C), nights near 73°F (23°C), and rain falls on around 43 of the 90 days.
December through February
December through February is pleasantly warm here - highs near 80°F (27°C), nights near 60°F (15°C), and precipitation is sparse, near 2.9 inches (74 mm) for the season.
Climate questions, answered
How sunny is Kolkata?
Is Kolkata warmer or cooler than most cities?
How cold does Kolkata get in winter?
How often does it rain in Kolkata?
Best time to visit Kolkata
The best time to visit Kolkata is generally November to February, when the rains have stopped and the heat has not yet peaked. Daytime temperatures in that window sit near 81°F (27°C), with rain on about 2 days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in November.
Pack for Kolkata with lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection, proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here and moisture-wicking fabrics for the humidity. May nights average 80°F (27°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Kolkata temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need the precipitation in other units? The mm-to-inches rainfall converter handles it.