Destination guide
Kerala weather by month
January to March is the best time to visit Kerala for warm days and relatively little rain, with January and February the clearest choices for outdoor plans. January averages 30°C by day and just 2 rain days, while February offers 8 hours of sunshine a day. March remains a good option, but rain becomes more frequent. The main catch is that warmth lasts throughout the year, while reliable sunshine does not: summer trips need much more flexibility.
- Hottest month
- 31.4°CMarch
- Coolest month
- 27.2°CJuly
- Warmest sea
- 29.9°CApril
- Flight from London
- 11h/dayLong-haul (7 h+) · estimated
Kerala, month by month
A little perspective
Kerala through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Januarybest | 29.9°C | 23.3°C | 28.2°C | 6.9 | 9 | 2 | 100% |
| Februarybest | 30.7°C | 24.1°C | 28.5°C | 7.6 | 13 | 3 | 100% |
| Marchbest | 31.4°C | 25.3°C | 29.4°C | 7.1 | 40 | 8 | 100% |
| April | 30.9°C | 25.8°C | 29.9°C | 4.6 | 120 | 19 | 100% |
| May | 29.8°C | 25.6°C | 29.7°C | 2.3 | 294 | 27 | 100% |
| June | 27.8°C | 24.7°C | 28.1°C | 0.9 | 521 | 30 | 100% |
| July | 27.2°C | 24.2°C | 26.7°C | 0.7 | 469 | 30 | 99% |
| August | 27.3°C | 24.1°C | 26.5°C | 1.0 | 357 | 29 | 98% |
| September | 27.8°C | 24.2°C | 27.1°C | 1.9 | 272 | 26 | 100% |
| October | 28.2°C | 24.1°C | 28.2°C | 2.1 | 287 | 26 | 100% |
| November | 28.7°C | 24.0°C | 28.7°C | 3.3 | 164 | 17 | 100% |
| December | 29.2°C | 23.4°C | 28.5°C | 5.4 | 50 | 7 | 100% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Kerala
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. June is the wettest month (521 mm, about 30 rainy days) and January the driest (9 mm). The sea is warmest in April at 29.9°C and coolest in August at 26.5°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Cochin International Airport (COK, 28 km from Kochi) takes roughly 11 h - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Asia/Kolkata.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Kerala between 1991 and 2020 reached 34.2°C on 13 March 2014; the coldest fell to 18.6°C on 14 December 2000. In March one day in ten tops 32.5°C and about 92% of days pass 30°C; in July one night in ten drops to 23.7°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was June 2013 with 846 mm, against a June average of 521 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Kerala
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 06:46 | 18:22 | 11.6 h | 6.9 h |
| February | 06:45 | 18:33 | 11.8 h | 7.6 h |
| March | 06:32 | 18:36 | 12.1 h | 7.1 h |
| April | 06:15 | 18:35 | 12.3 h | 4.6 h |
| May | 06:04 | 18:39 | 12.6 h | 2.3 h |
| June | 06:04 | 18:46 | 12.7 h | 0.9 h |
| July | 06:11 | 18:50 | 12.6 h | 0.7 h |
| August | 06:16 | 18:43 | 12.4 h | 1.0 h |
| September | 06:15 | 18:26 | 12.2 h | 1.9 h |
| October | 06:13 | 18:08 | 11.9 h | 2.1 h |
| November | 06:19 | 18:00 | 11.7 h | 3.3 h |
| December | 06:34 | 18:06 | 11.5 h | 5.4 h |
December to March: the best window for outdoor plans
December is a useful choice if you want warm weather before the driest stretch, though its 6 rain days mean you should still allow for showers. January offers the strongest balance for travellers who want to spend most of their time outside: hot afternoons, relatively cooler nights and little rain. February is sunnier, with daytime temperatures edging up to 31°C, so leave room for shade around midday. March stays similarly hot, but its 8 rain days make a flexible plan more useful. Sea temperatures of 28°C in December, January and February, rising to 29°C in March, mean cold water is unlikely to be your main concern.
April and May: warm nights and increasingly wet days
April and May suit travellers who can work around rain rather than those counting on long sunny days. April still averages 31°C in the daytime, but 19 rain days make waterproofs more useful than the temperature alone suggests. By May, rain is frequent enough to shape the trip, with 26 rain days and only 2 hours of sunshine a day. Nights average 26°C in both months, so do not expect much cooling after sunset; light clothing and accommodation where you can cool down are sensible priorities. The sea reaches 30°C, but warm water alone is not a reason to choose these months for a swimming-focused holiday.
June to November: frequent rain, then a gradual improvement
June to August is the weakest stretch for a sunshine-led holiday. June and July average 30 rain days, while August has 29; all have just 1 hour of sunshine a day. July and August are cooler at 27°C by day, but that is still warm rather than cool-weather relief. Choose this period only if frequent rain will not spoil your plans, and pack quick-drying clothes and waterproof protection for your belongings. September and October improve slightly for sunshine, but both still average 26 rain days, so neither is a dependable dry alternative. November is a more promising transition, with 17 rain days and 3 hours of sunshine, though December offers a clearer improvement.
A little more detail
Kerala weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Kerala?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Kerala are January, February and March. March is the hottest month (average high 31.4°C) and July the coolest (27.2°C).
How many months a year is Kerala over 25°C?
12 months in Kerala average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 12 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Kerala?
June is the wettest month in Kerala (521 mm on average) and January the driest (9 mm). Annual rainfall averages 2596 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Kerala?
The hottest day recorded in Kerala between 1991 and 2020 reached 34.2°C on 13 March 2014; the coldest fell to 18.6°C on 14 December 2000. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
Which month is best for sunshine and little rain?
January is the driest choice, averaging 2 rain days alongside 7 hours of sunshine a day. February trades a small increase to 3 rain days for 8 hours of sunshine, making it a strong option if sunny outdoor time is your priority.
Is the sea warm enough for swimming throughout the year?
Sea temperatures range from 26°C in August to 30°C in April and May, so the water stays warm throughout the year. That does not establish safe swimming conditions, though. Check local advice rather than using sea temperature alone to decide when to swim.
Will I need warm clothes for the evenings?
Average night temperatures range from 23°C in January and December to 26°C in April and May, so light evening clothing is the sensible starting point. These are regional averages, not a guarantee for every location; check the forecast for where you will stay.
See also: India weather by month · where else is hot in March
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Kochi. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 2.3 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C