The climate of Agra features a semi-arid climate that borders on a humid subtropical climate. The city features mild winters, hot and dry summers and a monsoon season. However the monsoons, though substantial in Agra, are not quite as heavy as the monsoon in other parts of India. Agra has a reputation of being one of the hottest towns in India; hottest in terms of both, tourist destination as well as temperature. In summers the city witnesses a sudden surge in temperature and at times, mercury go beyond even 46°C mark. The humidity is appalling and is sure to leave you puffing and panting. During the summers, the daytime temperature hovers around 40-46°C. Nights are relatively cooler and mercury dips to a comfortable 30°C. It rains scantly during the monsoons as Agra falls in a semi-arid region. The annual average rainfall never goes beyond 400 millimeters. Winters are bit chilly but are the best time to visit Agra. The minimum temperature sometimes goes as low as 2-3°C but usually hovers in the range of 7-8°C. Days are pleasant and best to roam around the historical city[1] Winter is the best season to visit Agra, when days are warm and sunny and ideal for sightseeing.[2]
| Climate data for Agra, India | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 22.3 (72.1) |
25.2 (77.4) |
32 (90) |
38.5 (101.3) |
41.6 (106.9) |
40.7 (105.3) |
35.2 (95.4) |
33.7 (92.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
34.3 (93.7) |
29.7 (85.5) |
24.0 (75.2) |
32.63 (90.74) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 8.0 (46.4) |
10.4 (50.7) |
15.9 (60.6) |
22.3 (72.1) |
26.4 (79.5) |
28.5 (83.3) |
26.8 (80.2) |
25.8 (78.4) |
24.4 (75.9) |
19.9 (67.8) |
13.7 (56.7) |
9.1 (48.4) |
13 (55) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 9.0 (0.354) |
12.0 (0.472) |
10.0 (0.394) |
10.0 (0.394) |
16.0 (0.63) |
67.0 (2.638) |
196.0 (7.717) |
227.0 (8.937) |
113.0 (4.449) |
27.0 (1.063) |
3.0 (0.118) |
5.0 (0.197) |
695 (27.36) |
| % humidity | 64 | 55 | 45 | 35 | 34 | 46 | 72 | 77 | 67 | 54 | 56 | 64 | 55.8 |
| Source: [3] | |||||||||||||
Contents |
The monsoon and the Western Disturbance are the two main factors which alter the weather over Agra; otherwise, Continental air prevails for rest of the year, like most cities of North western India, the weather and climate of Agra is extreme and tropical in nature. Following are the main factors that influence the weather over Agra city.
Like other cities, Agra has four seasons: winter (Dec-Feb), summer (May-Sept), autumn (Oct-Nov) and spring (March-April). The monsoon season occurs in the summer. The following is a monthly summary of climatic conditions in Agra based on data from the India Meteorological Department.[4]
The month of January is the coldest month of the city, Western Disturbance also occur in this month coming from Northern Pakistan. The highest temperature recorded was 26.1 °C (79.0 °F) in 1932. The lowest temperature recorded was 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) in 2000 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 51.8 millimetres (2.04 in) in 1947.
Cold conditions continue until the middle of February, after that the weather becomes settled and pleasant. Winter showers also occur in this month. The highest temperature recorded was 29.1 °C (84.4 °F) in 1993. The lowest temperature recorded was 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) in 1932 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 506.2 millimetres (19.93 in) in 1980.
Hot and dry weather returns during March. The Highest temperature recorded was 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in 1994. The lowest temperature recorded was 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) in 2000 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 45.7 millimetres (1.80 in) in 1944.
Temperatures start to rise in this month. The highest temperature recorded was 41.1 °C (106.0 °F) in 1921. The lowest temperature recorded was 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 61.8 millimetres (2.43 in) in 1984.
May is the hottest month of Agra city. The highest temperature recorded was 44.6 °C (112.3 °F) in 1921. The lowest temperature recorded was 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 62.0 millimetres (2.44 in) in 1987.
It remains hot but during the middle or end of June pre-monsoon showers can start. The highest temperature recorded was 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) in 1924. The lowest temperature recorded was 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 355.8 millimetres (14.01 in) in 1952.
Monsoon season starts in July. The highest temperature recorded was 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) in 1911. The lowest temperature recorded was 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in 2000 and highest monthly rainfall recorded was 551.2 millimetres (21.70 in) in 1994.
August is the wettest month of Agra city. The highest temperature recorded was 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in 1987. The lowest temperature recorded was 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 617.7 millimetres (24.32 in) in 1957.
The intensity of rainstorm decreases in the month of September as monsoon starts to withdraw. The highest temperature recorded was 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in 1913. The lowest temperature recorded was 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) in 1999 and highest monthly rainfall recorded was 609.0 millimetres (23.98 in) in 1939.
Post-monsoon rains could occur in this month. The highest temperature recorded was 36.1 °C (97.0 °F) in 1993. The lowest temperature recorded was 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in 1999 and the Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 268.7 millimetres (10.58 in) in 1911.
It is the driest month of the city. The highest temperature recorded was 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in 1987. The lowest temperature recorded was 8.0 °C (46.4 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 75.9 millimetres (2.99 in) in 1969.
Winter season begins in this month. The highest temperature recorded was 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) in 1992. The lowest temperature recorded was 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 62.6 millimetres (2.46 in) in 1967.