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Cherrapunji, known locally as Sohra, sits at 1,484 metres (4,869 ft) on the Khasi Hills plateau in Meghalaya and holds two world rainfall records: 9,300 mm (366 in) in July 1861, and 26,467 mm (1,042 in) between August 1860 and July 1861. The town now averages about 11,175 mm (440 in) of rain a year, almost all of it falling between March and October. Use this month-by-month breakdown to plan around the monsoon, then check our best time to visit Cherrapunji guide for the best windows to travel.
Cherrapunji Weather by Month: Temperatures and Rainfall at a Glance
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17.2 | 6.6 | 16 | 1 |
| February | 18.8 | 8.7 | 54 | 2 |
| March | 21.4 | 12.1 | 364 | 7 |
| April | 22.7 | 14.4 | 792 | 16 |
| May | 23.1 | 16.1 | 1,297 | 21 |
| June | 23.1 | 17.7 | 2,608 | 25 |
| July | 22.9 | 18.1 | 2,665 | 28 |
| August | 23.6 | 18.2 | 1,769 | 24 |
| September | 23.9 | 17.6 | 1,090 | 18 |
| October | 24.0 | 15.3 | 461 | 8 |
| November | 21.8 | 11.4 | 49 | 2 |
| December | 18.8 | 8.2 | 10 | 1 |
Cherrapunji Weather by Month: The Dry Season (November to February)
November to February is the only genuinely dry stretch of the year. December averages just 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain on a single wet day, and January adds 16 mm (0.6 in). Days stay mild, topping out around 17 to 19°C (63 to 66°F), but nights turn cold: January lows average 6.6°C (44°F) and December lows 8.2°C (47°F), with occasional drops to 3 to 4°C (37 to 39°F). Frost is rare but a light sweater or fleece is essential after sunset. This is the clearest, sunniest period of the year and the easiest time for the things to do in Cherrapunji treks down to the living root bridges; our Cherrapunji travel tips guide covers reaching town.
Cherrapunji Weather by Month: The Pre-Monsoon (March to May)
Rain ramps up sharply from March onward. March receives 364 mm (14.3 in), April 792 mm (31.2 in), and May an already extreme 1,297 mm (51.1 in) across 21 wet days. Afternoon thunderstorms become the norm, often with heavy cloud and reduced visibility by late afternoon. Daytime highs climb only a little, from 21.4°C (70°F) in March to 23.1°C (74°F) in May, so the heat is never the problem; the wet trails and sudden downpours are. If you travel in May, book a where to stay in Cherrapunji base with covered transport and carry a full rain shell.
Cherrapunji Weather by Month: The Monsoon (June to September)
June and July are the wettest months anywhere in mainland India. June averages 2,608 mm (102.7 in) and July 2,665 mm (104.9 in), with rain falling on 25 and 28 days respectively. August eases to 1,769 mm (69.6 in) and September to 1,090 mm (42.9 in). Rain comes as sustained, torrential downpours that can last for days, and visibility over the valleys is frequently near zero. Temperatures stay steady at 23 to 24°C (73 to 75°F) by day and 18°C (64°F) at night. This is when the waterfalls around Sohra run at full volume, which is the one reason to brave it; see our Cherrapunji travel guide for the rest of the year.
Cherrapunji Weather by Month: Humidity and Sunshine
Relative humidity sits at 90 to 100 percent through the monsoon and only drops to a comfortable 60 to 70 percent from December to February. Sunshine hours follow the same pattern: abundant clear mornings in winter, but heavily overcast skies from June to September. There is no hot season to dodge, since even the warmest month, October, tops out at a mild 24.0°C (75°F). That temperate profile is why the Cherrapunji neighborhoods areas around Sohra all feel cooler than the plains below, and why the dry season lines up with the Cherrapunji festivals calendar.
