Weather in Kerala in July

How July compares

July is the 12th warmest month of the year in Kerala and ranks 97th of 134 destinations we compare for July - see where else is hot in July. Within India it is 1st of 2 (India in July). Against London's average high of 21.8°C in July, Kerala is 5.4°C warmer by day and 10.7°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in July

The typical July day in Kerala peaks at 27.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 28.4°C or more. About 99% of days top 25°C. Nights average 24.2°C; one night in ten drops to 23.7°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest July day here reached 29.8°C (2010-07-11) and the coldest night 22.6°C (1992-07-17).

Rain in July

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 30 days with 1 mm or more, 469 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest July was 1992 with 661 mm, the driest 2000 with 172 mm. Humidity averages 90%.

Sea temperature in July

The sea averages 26.7°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.3°C to 27.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (29.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 0.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:11 and sets about 18:50 local time in mid-July. Average cloud cover is 94%.

Is July a good time to visit Kerala?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Kerala on our scoring are January, February, March; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Warm days, sticky evenings

July is Kerala's coolest month by average daytime temperature, but that does not make it cool for a UK traveller. The average high is 27.2°C, compared with London's 21.8°C, and nights only fall to around 24°C. Humidity of 90% means the modest-looking daytime temperature can still feel sticky, especially when you are walking around. Pack loose, lightweight clothing and favour breathable fabrics over heavy layers. Evenings offer little temperature relief, so accommodation with effective cooling is a sensible priority. You do not need to plan around exceptional daytime heat, but keeping outdoor plans gentle and allowing comfortable breaks should make the warmth easier to manage.

Make rain part of the plan

With rain on about 30 days, July is not a month to build a tightly scheduled outdoor holiday around dry weather. That figure does not mean it rains continuously, but it does mean you should expect rain to affect your plans rather than treat it as an occasional interruption. Keep activities movable, carry lightweight waterproof protection and choose footwear that can cope with getting wet. Around 0.7 hours of sunshine within 12.5 hours of daylight also makes an important distinction: there is ample daylight, but very little bright sunshine. This suits travellers comfortable with cloudy, wet days better than those hoping to spend long stretches lounging outdoors.

Warm sea, but not a sunshine beach holiday

At 26.7°C, the sea is warm enough for swimming; cold water is not the drawback in July. However, water temperature alone cannot tell you if conditions are safe, so check local advice before entering. The bigger issue for a beach-focused stay is the combination of frequent rain and limited sunshine, which makes reliable time beside the sea hard to count on. With a flight from London taking about 11 hours, think carefully about what you want from the trip. If dry-weather comfort is the priority, January, February and March are better months to consider. July makes more sense when your plans can bend around the weather.