Mumbai weather by month follows a tropical maritime pattern, with summer from March to May, monsoon from June to September, and winter from October to February. The monsoon brings the city’s heaviest rainfall, while temperatures and occasional showers shape plans in the other months too.
- Summer: March to May
- Monsoon: June to September, usually beginning in the first half of June
- Winter: October to February
- At Santacruz, average monthly rainfall peaks at 945.4 mm in July.
Mumbai’s seasonal weather pattern
Mumbai’s three seasons offer a useful month-by-month framework, but the rainfall and temperature figures are averages rather than a daily forecast. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai describes the city’s climate as tropical maritime and places it on India’s western seacoast along the Arabian Sea.
March, April and May make up summer. In the municipal plan’s Santacruz figures, mean daily maximum temperatures range from 29.1°C in August to 33.3°C in May; mean daily minimum temperatures range from 16.3°C in January to 26.2°C in May. These are the extremes across the reported months, not individual month-by-month readings for every part of the city.
June through September is the southwest monsoon period. It usually starts in the first fortnight of June and lasts until the end of September.
At Santacruz, average rainfall is 647.5 mm in June, 945.4 mm in July, 660.4 mm in August and 309.2 mm in September. October and November fall within the plan’s winter season, as do December, January and February.
Planning for monsoon months
Plan June to September with rainfall in mind: the municipal plan gives Mumbai Suburban District an average seasonal total of 2,363.0 mm for those months. The figures also show why the season is not evenly wet: July averages more rain at Santacruz than June, August or September.
May can bring pre-monsoon showers, while October and November may occasionally see northeast-monsoon showers. The municipal plan says these later showers are rare, occurring no more than twice in an entire rainy season.
Heavy rain can exceed the capacity of the drainage system and cause flooding, so allow flexibility around outdoor plans during wet conditions. If you’re planning outdoor activities, check the forecast before setting your schedule.
The India Meteorological Department’s Regional Meteorological Centre Mumbai provides city- and district-level forecasts, observations, nowcasts and warnings. Its Greater Mumbai service describes severe-weather warnings for the next five days and nowcasts for conditions up to a few hours ahead, but less than 24 hours.
Warning colours run from green for no warning through yellow for watch and orange for alert to red for warning.
Winter and summer sightseeing considerations
Summer runs from March to May, and May has the highest mean daily maximum temperature in the municipal temperature range. If you’re planning time outdoors in these months, use the forecast to help choose when to schedule walks and visits rather than relying on a seasonal average alone.
Winter, from October to February, includes the reported January low point for mean daily minimum temperature: 16.3°C at Santacruz. October and November can still have occasional northeast-monsoon showers, although the municipal plan describes them as rare. December, January and February fall within the winter period; the figures here do not give separate monthly readings for each of those months.
For a day in the Fort district, the seasonal pattern can help you decide how much outdoor time to group together. The Flora Fountain and Fort district guide covers the area’s landmarks.
A route-based plan can organize visits around the city.
The Masjid-area day route through Mumbai focuses on a day’s itinerary.
Packing and checking forecasts before travel
Pack for the season and the forecast rather than treating a monthly average as a guarantee. For monsoon travel, keep possible heavy rain and flooding in mind when arranging outdoor plans.
In summer, May’s mean daily maximum temperature is the highest in the municipal figures; in winter, January has the lowest reported mean daily minimum. If you’re packing for the rainy months, account for the chance of heavy showers.
The IMD’s Mumbai rainfall service includes daily and monthly rainfall totals, cumulative rainfall, and information on highest and extreme one-day totals for Colaba and Santacruz. Forecasts, rainfall observations and warnings change with conditions, so check the official site before you go.
Use the broader pattern to set expectations, then check conditions close to your travel dates. That matters most during monsoon months, when rainfall can vary and warnings may affect outdoor plans. Seasonal planning also helps with accommodation; Hotel Residency Park’s rooms in Mumbai are listed with the hotel’s room details.
FAQs
When does the monsoon usually start in Mumbai?
The southwest monsoon usually begins in the first fortnight of June and lasts until the end of September.
Which month has the most average rainfall?
July has the highest average monthly rainfall in the Santacruz figures, at 945.4 mm.
What are Mumbai’s three seasons?
Summer is March to May, monsoon is June to September, and winter is October to February.
Can it rain outside the main monsoon months?
Pre-monsoon showers can occur in May. Northeast-monsoon showers may occur in October and November, but are described as rare.