This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our small business.
Bhopal sits on the Malwa plateau at 523 metres (1,716 ft) above sea level, which gives it a humid subtropical climate with three sharply different seasons. Summers run hot and dry from March to June, the southwest monsoon dumps almost all the year’s rain between June and September, and winters are cool and clear. The city averages 1,285 mm of rain a year and sees its heaviest downpours in August, when a single month can bring 432 mm. Read our Bhopal neighborhoods for more.
Bhopal Weather by Month: Climate Data Table
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°C (77°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 13 mm | 9.6 h |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 10 mm | 10.1 h |
| March | 33°C (91°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm | 10.9 h |
| April | 38°C (100°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm | 11.6 h |
| May | 40°C (104°F) | 27°C (81°F) | 7 mm | 11.8 h |
| June | 37°C (99°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 118 mm | 9.9 h |
| July | 30°C (86°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 345 mm | 5.7 h |
| August | 28°C (83°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 432 mm | 6.0 h |
| September | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 195 mm | 8.7 h |
| October | 32°C (90°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm | 10.2 h |
| November | 29°C (84°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 21 mm | 10.0 h |
| December | 25°C (77°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 17 mm | 9.4 h |
Bhopal Weather by Month: Winter (December to February)
December to February is the coolest stretch of the year and the most comfortable time to be outdoors. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 11°C (52°F) and daytime highs around 25°C (77°F). Nights can dip to 5°C (41°F) in late December and early January, so pack a light jacket and a sweater. Rainfall is minimal, 13 to 17 mm a month, and skies stay clear for about 9.5 sunshine hours a day. Read our where to stay in Bhopal for more.
This is when the best time to visit Bhopal falls for most travellers, and the cooler air makes the lakefront promenades and hilltop temples pleasant rather than punishing. Fog can settle over Upper Lake on still January mornings, which occasionally delays early flights out of Raja Bhoj Airport.
Bhopal Weather by Month: Summer (March to June)
Summer arrives quickly. March already reaches 33°C (91°F) by day, and April and May are brutally hot, with May averaging 40°C (104°F) and the record high of 48°C (118°F) set during this stretch. Nights offer little relief because lows stay near 27°C (81°F) in May. Rain is almost nonexistent, just 3 to 7 mm in April and May, and relative humidity sits low until the monsoon approaches. Read our Bhopal travel tips for more.
If you do visit in April or May, plan all sightseeing before 11 am, carry water, and stick to air-conditioned museums like the Tribal Museum on the things to do in Bhopal list rather than open-air sites. June brings the first monsoon clouds and a welcome drop to 37°C (99°F), but humidity climbs sharply as rain begins mid-month.
Bhopal Weather by Month: Monsoon (July to September)
The southwest monsoon dominates July, August and September. August is the wettest month with 432 mm, followed by July at 345 mm and September at 195 mm, which together deliver roughly 76 percent of the annual total. Temperatures fall to a pleasant 28 to 30°C (83 to 86°F) by day, but humidity hovers near 90 percent and sunshine drops to only 5.7 hours in July. Read our Bhopal travel guide for more.
Heavy rain can flood low-lying roads around the Old City and delay trains, so the monsoon is the weakest period for a Bhopal trip. The lakes are full and the hills turn green, but outdoor plans are unreliable, and several lakeside paths close when water levels rise.
Bhopal Weather by Month: Post-Monsoon (October and November)
October and November are a short, pleasant shoulder season. October still reaches 32°C (90°F) but rain drops to about 20 mm, and by November highs fall to 29°C (84°F) with lows near 15°C (59°F). Humidity clears out, sunshine returns to around 10 hours a day, and this is the prime window for day trips to the sites in the Bhopal events and festivals calendar and the surrounding UNESCO monuments.
