May is the hottest month in India with the mercury averaging at a whopping 97°F (36 °C) across India. Mercury ebbs and flows between a high of 100°F (38 °C) and a low of 32 °C in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India where iconic tourist destinations like Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi and Rajasthan are located.
The monsoon only arrives in June so it’s still pretty hot and dry during the daytime.
While temperatures naturally drop at night, the difference in temperatures in the plains of India is not immense.
Naturally, May is not a popular month for international travelers to India, unless they plan on spending their summer in the high-altitude.
May is a challenging month to travel, but if you can brave the heat, it is one of the cheapest times of the year in the country as you can get great deals on hotels.
And, there are other options as well, nestled high up in the north and northeast in the Himalayas and its foothills.
Here is a brief list of places that offer ideal summer temperatures in May in India
– Manali, Himachal Pradesh: scenic hill station in the Kullu Valley. Activities: Trekking, Temple tours, High-altitude passes, hot spring baths, Tibetan monasteries.
– Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: Former summer capital of the British Empire, known for its sceneries, serenity and colonial charm.
– Spiti Valley: the “Middle Land” between India and Tibet, known for its cold deserts, tribal villages, high passes, Spiti river, and lovely lakes.
– Mcleod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh: Idyllic little town that’s the home of the Dalai Lama
– Lansdowne, Uttarakhand: Easily accessible hill station from Delhi.
Want to learn more about the varying weather patterns in India? Read on.
1. Regional Weather Breakdown
India is immense in terms of its geography, topography and climate. Here is a breakdown of regional weather patterns in the month of May in India.
North India: Rajasthan & Golden Triangle
It is the hottest time of the year in the plains of northern India where Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra) are located with temperature breaking into the 3-figure with a maximum of 105°C (41 °C).
Indians from these parts traditionally go on vacations or breaks to the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
Average Temperature in Delhi in May: 80 °F- 104°F (27°C – 40°C)
Average Temperature in Jaipur in May: 78.8 °F- 105°F (26°C – 41°C)
Average Temperature in Agra in May: 78.8 °F- 105°F (26°C – 41°C)
North India: Kashmir & Himalayas
Kashmir sees the mercury fluctuate between a low of 59 °F (15 °C) and a high of 77 °F (25 °C) in the month of May. That’s much lower than the average in the lowlying plains making it an ideal escape from the summer heat.
Hill stations of Himachal Pradesh (Shimla, Chail, Mcleod Ganj, Manali) and Uttarakhand (Rishikesh, Lansdowne, Binsar) are also pleasant hill stations to retreat to in May.
Average Temperature in Kashmir in May: 59 °F (15 °C)- 77 °F (25 °C)
Average Temperature in May in Himachal Pradesh: 70 °F- 83°F (15°C – 27°C)
Average Temperature in May in Uttarakhand: 62 °F- 95°F (20°C – 36°C)
South India: Kerala, Goa & the South
Most parts of the southern coastline of India (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) are hot in May. It is not ideal weather for outdoor activities. However, temperatures do drop when you travel north to the hill stations snuggled in the Western Ghats.
But you can escape to pleasant hill stations like Coorg and Chikmagalur (Karnataka), Ooty and Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu), and Munnar and Wayanad (Kerala).
Average Temperature in Kerala in May: 77 °F- 91°F (25°C – 33°C)
Average Temperature in Tamil Nadu in May: 73 °F- 100°F (28°C – 38°C)
Average Temperature in Karnataka in May: 75 °F- 96°F (23°C – 35°C)
West & Central India: Mumbai & Other Central Parts
It is well past 100 °F (37.7 °C) in Madhya Pradesh, India’s central state, but it is a region rich with national parks and wildlife sanctuary. No other state has more parks than Madhya Pradesh.
If you are a wildlife buff, braving the heat is worth it as the best safaris happen in this month, with all of the exotic wildlife gathering around waterholes to beat the heat.
Average Temperature in Madhya Pradesh in May: 82 °F- 107°F (28°C – 42°C)
Mumbai and much of urban Maharashtra are very hot in May, but you can find respite in its hill stations like Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, and Igatpuri.
Average Temperature in Maharashtra in May: 84 °F- 107°F (29°C – 42°C)
2. Weather Information on Popular Cities For Tourism
Agra, Jaipur, Delhi
May is a challenging time to explore this region with mercury going peaking over a maximum of 100°F.
Average Temperature in Delhi in May: 80 °F- 104°F (27°C – 40°C)
Average Temperature in Jaipur in May: 78.8 °F- 105°F (26°C – 41°C)
Average Temperature in Agra in May: 78.8 °F- 105°F (26°C – 41°C)
What to wear: Prefer to stay indoors during the afternoon, use sunscreen and, a wide brimmed hat/cap to cover your head. Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
Mumbai
Mumbai is very hot in May. You’d be better off sticking to indoor attractions or going out after the sunset.
Average Temperature in Mumbai in May: 80 °F- 93°F (27°C – 34°C)
What to wear: Sunscreen, cap/hat, a pair of cotton shorts/pants, and a light shirt.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is May a good time to visit India?
May is the hottest time of the year in India with the summer peaking in much of the mainland of India. Temperatures range between 32 °C (90 °F) to 38 °C (100 °F).
But it is a good time of the year to explore the hill stations of the Himalayas in the north and the Western Ghats in the Southwest.
If you are looking for suggestions, check out our link for the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN INDIA IN MAY here [link].
How hot is it in May in India?
As hot as it can get. As the hottest month of the year, the average temperatures for the month range between a high of 100 °F (38 °C) and a low of 90 °F (32 °C).
Is May the rainy season in India?
May is still a relatively dry month with an average rainfall of 26mm, much lower than the peak monsoon high of July-September(311 mm). So, if you are traveling to India in May, it is not the rain you should be braving yourself for, but the heat.
