Climate of India

The Southwest Monsoon season, which extends from June to September, ended on 30 September 2026. The 2026 monsoon was characterised by below-normal and highly variable rainfall across the country, with considerable differences in rainfall distribution among regions and months. India as a whole received 759.4 mm of rainfall against the normal of 868.6 mm during the southwest monsoon season, resulting in a 12.6% deficit. Figure 1: Meteorological subdivision-wise rainfall anomaly for the southwest monsoon season covering the period from 1 June to 30 September 2026.  [Source: IMD] Onset and advance of the monsoon The southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on 4 June 2026, slightly later than its normal onset date of 1 June. It subsequently advanced across the country and covered the entire country by 9 July 2026, compared to the normal date of 8 July as shown in the IMD monsoon climatology. The onset and advance of the monsoon, however, do not necessarily determine the seasonal rainfa...

The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon has begun over India. On 19 September 2026, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from some parts of West Rajasthan, marking the beginning of the seasonal retreat of the monsoon. The arrival of the southwest monsoon is one of the most closely watched weather events in India. But its departure is equally important. The withdrawal of the monsoon marks a major transition in India's atmospheric circulation, gradually bringing an end to the southwest monsoon season and preparing the atmosphere for the post-monsoon season. But how does the India Meteorological Department determine that the southwest monsoon has started withdrawing? IMD uses a set of meteorological and synoptic criteria to identify the beginning of withdrawal and then monitors its progressive retreat across the country. With the southwest monsoon beginning its withdrawal in 2026, this is a good opportunity to understand how mons...

The Southwest Monsoon 2026 commenced over Kerala on 4 June , slightly later than its normal onset date of 1 June. Thereafter, the monsoon advanced across the country and covered the entire country by 9 July . a) Rainfall during June–August 2026 The country experienced a deficient June, followed by a near-normal July and another deficient August. June: 106.8 mm against a normal of 165.3 mm — 35.4% below normal July: 283.3 mm against a normal of 280.5 mm — 1.0% above normal August: 213.5 mm against a normal of 254.9 mm — 16.3% below normal Consequently, cumulative rainfall during 1 June–31 August 2026 was 603.7 mm, compared with the normal of 700.7 mm, giving an overall deficiency of 13.8%. Thus, despite a substantial recovery during July, the rainfall deficit accumulated during June could not be completely compensated, and rainfall again remained below normal during August. Region   June 2026      July 2026       August 2026   ...