Weather in India in August

August climate overview

Daytime highs across India in August run from 26.9°C (Goa) to 27.3°C (Kerala). In Kerala about 98% of August days reach 25°C. Nights average 24.1°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Goa fall to 24°C or below.

Rainfall in August

Expect around 30 rainy days (1 mm or more) in August, with Kerala the driest (29 days) and Goa the wettest (30 days). The wettest August at Kerala between 1991 and 2020 was 2019 with 648 mm; the driest was 2005 with 134 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 26.7°C around India in August - warmest at Goa (26.9°C). That is comfortable for swimming.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 0.9 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 12.3 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

August against the rest of the year in India

August is the 11th warmest month of the twelve in India. It is 0.1°C warmer than July and 0.8°C warmer in September. The hottest month here is April (32°C) and the coolest July (27°C).

Which part of India in August?

• Most sunshine: Kerala, 1.0 h a day.
• Driest: Kerala, about 29 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Goa, 27°C.
• Hottest: Kerala, 27°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Goa, 27°C.

What to pack for India in August

Based on the averages: summer clothes for the day; a rain jacket - roughly 30 wet days; swimwear - the sea is 27°C.

Similar weather elsewhere in August

Within 1.5°C of India's August daytime average: Halkidiki (29°C, sea 27°C), Marbella (29°C, sea 22°C), Khao Lak (29°C, sea 29°C), Barbados (28°C, sea 29°C), Kololi (28°C, sea 28°C). See the full ranking for August.

Kerala or Goa: little difference in the weather

Neither Kerala nor Goa offers a clear weather advantage in August. Both average 27°C during the day and 24°C at night, so choosing between them will not make your trip cooler. Kerala has 29 rainy days against Goa's 30, a difference too small to treat as a reliable break from the rain. Sea temperatures are warm in both, though warmth alone does not tell you if swimming conditions will be suitable. These destinations suit travellers who are comfortable changing plans when it rains. If your priority is long, dry spells outdoors, neither is a strong choice on these figures.

Expect warm evenings and limited sunshine

The practical challenge is the combination of warmth and frequent wet weather, rather than exceptionally high daytime temperatures. Average sunshine is just 0.9 hours a day, so do not build the trip around sunbathing or consistently bright skies. Pack light clothing, waterproof protection and footwear you can manage in wet conditions. With nights averaging 24°C, evenings offer only a modest drop in temperature; light layers are likely to be more useful than heavy ones. Keep outdoor activities movable and leave room for sheltered breaks. A rainy day does not necessarily mean continuous rain, but expecting reliably dry days would be optimistic.