Delhi Weather Guide: When to Visit and How to Handle the Heat or Fog

22 hours ago

5 min read

Introduction

Delhi is the gateway to North India and to Kashmir, and most international travelers spend at least a night or two in the capital. But Delhi's weather ranges from mild, sunny winter days to scorching 40°C+ summers, heavy monsoon rain, and dense winter fog. Knowing what to expect makes a big difference to your trip.

This guide explains the best time to visit Delhi, month by month, with practical tips for coping with the summer heat, winter fog and air quality, and for planning a smooth connection on to Kashmir.

Delhi Weather Month by Month

Month	Day/night (°C)	Rain	What to expect	Rating for visitors
January	21 / 8	Very little	Cool, sunny days, cold nights; fog likely	Good (allow for fog)
February	25 / 11	Very little	Pleasant and sunny; fog fades	Excellent
March	30 / 16	Very little	Warm, bright spring days; Holi festival	Excellent
April	37 / 21	Very little	Hot afternoons begin	Fair
May	40 / 26	Low	Hottest month, very dry heat	Poor (sightsee early)
June	39 / 28	Rising	Extreme heat, then monsoon arrives late in the month	Poor
July	36 / 27	Heavy	Monsoon rain, very humid	Fair
August	35 / 27	Heaviest	Wettest month, humid	Fair
September	34 / 25	Moderate	Monsoon eases, still humid	Fair
October	33 / 19	Very little	Warm, dry days; air quality often worsens late in the month	Good
November	28 / 13	Almost none	Pleasant temperatures but usually the worst air quality	Fair (keep the stay short)
December	23 / 8	Very little	Cool, sunny days; fog season begins	Good (allow for fog)

Averages for 1991–2020 at Safdarjung, from Climates to Travel.

Delhi's Seasons Explained

Winter (December – January)

Days are cool and sunny, around 20–23°C, but nights drop to around 8°C. Dense fog is common, especially in the mornings, and can delay flights and trains. It is a good time for sightseeing once the fog lifts by late morning.

Spring (February – March)

The best time to visit Delhi. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures of 25–30°C and gardens in bloom make it ideal for exploring monuments on foot. The colorful Holi festival usually falls in March.

Summer (April – June)

Temperatures climb above 35°C in April and often exceed 40°C in May and June, with hot, dry winds. Sightseeing is still possible with an early start, but this is the hardest season for first-time visitors.

Monsoon (July – September)

The monsoon brings relief from the heat, with heavy showers, high humidity, and lush green parks. Short downpours can cause waterlogging and traffic jams, so keep plans flexible.

Post-monsoon (October – November)

Days are dry and pleasant, but air quality usually worsens from late October and is typically at its worst in November, when smog and haze can settle over the city. Keep your Delhi stay short in November and spend more time in Kashmir.

How to Handle Delhi's Summer Heat

Start early: Begin sightseeing by 7–8 am and head indoors from about 12 pm to 4 pm.
Plan an indoor afternoon: Museums, shopping malls, and air-conditioned restaurants are ideal for the hottest hours.
Go back out in the evening: India Gate, Connaught Place and the markets come alive after sunset.
Hydrate constantly: Drink bottled water, coconut water or lime soda, and avoid ice of unknown origin.
Dress for the heat: Loose, light cotton clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
Use a private air-conditioned car between sights rather than walking in the midday sun.

A heat-friendly day in Delhi

Time	Plan
7:00 – 10:30 am	Humayun's Tomb and Lodhi Garden in the cool morning
11:00 am – 1:00 pm	National Museum or the Crafts Museum (indoors)
1:00 – 4:00 pm	Lunch and rest at your hotel
4:30 – 6:30 pm	Qutub Minar as the heat eases
7:00 pm onwards	India Gate stroll, then dinner

How to Handle Winter Fog and Air Quality

Fog and flights

Dense fog is common in Delhi and across North India in late December and January, usually thickest from late night to mid-morning. Delhi airport switches to CAT III low-visibility operations, but when visibility falls below the minimums, even these flights must wait. In December 2025, for example, fog caused hundreds of delays and cancellations at Delhi airport over just a few days.

Check your flight status before leaving for the airport; airlines send alerts and often allow free changes during fog.
Choose late-morning or afternoon flights from Delhi to Srinagar, when fog has usually lifted.
Keep a buffer: Allow a full night in Delhi between your Kashmir flight and your international departure in December and January.
Avoid tight self-booked connections on separate tickets during fog season.

Air quality

Delhi's air quality usually worsens from late October and is typically at its worst in November, improving gradually through December. Causes include vehicle emissions, construction dust, still winter air,

and crop-residue burning in neighboring states.

Check the AQI each morning on a reliable app.
Wear an N95 or KN95 mask outdoors on poor-air days; cloth and surgical masks offer less protection.
Avoid early-morning and late-evening outdoor plans, when smog tends to peak.
Ask your hotel about air purifiers in your room.
Keep the stay short: On a Delhi and Kashmir trip in November, spend just one night in Delhi and enjoy Kashmir's cleaner mountain air.

Travelers with asthma, heart, or lung conditions should take extra care and speak to their doctor before traveling in late autumn or winter.

Best Months to Combine Delhi and Kashmir

Months	Delhi	Kashmir	Our verdict
February	Excellent	Snow season	Great for snow lovers; fog fading in Delhi
March – April	Excellent to fair	Tulips and blossoms	The best overall window
May – June	Very hot	Ideal	Good: keep Delhi short, sightsee early
July – September	Monsoon	Green and pleasant	Fair to good
October	Good	Golden autumn	Excellent, especially early in the month
November	Poor air quality	Peak chinar, saffron	Good: one night in Delhi only
December – January	Fog	Snow	Good: allow buffer days for fog

For more on Kashmir's seasons, see our Best Time to Visit Kashmir guide.

What to Pack for Delhi

Winter (Dec–Jan): Warm jacket or sweater for mornings and evenings, layers that come off by midday
Spring (Feb–Mar): Light layers, a cardigan for evenings, sunglasses
Summer (Apr–Jun): Loose cotton or linen, a sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen, refillable water bottle
Monsoon (Jul–Sep): Compact umbrella, quick-dry clothing, sandals or waterproof shoes
Oct–Jan: N95 or KN95 masks for poor-air days
All year: Modest clothing for temples, mosques and gurudwaras (covered shoulders and knees, a scarf to cover the head)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to visit Delhi?

February and March are the best months, with sunny, comfortable days, clear skies, and little rain. October is also good, especially in the first half of the month.

How hot does Delhi get in summer?

May and June are the hottest months, with average daytime highs around 39–40°C and heatwaves that can push temperatures higher.

Will fog delay my flight from Delhi?

It can, especially in late December and January. Choose late-morning or afternoon flights, check your flight status before leaving, and keep a buffer night before international departures.

When is Delhi's air quality worst?

Air quality is usually at its worst in November and remains poor into December. Check the daily AQI, wear an N95 mask outdoors on bad days, and keep your stay in Delhi short.

Is it worth visiting Delhi during the monsoon?

Yes, if you don't mind showers and humidity. The city is green, crowds are smaller, and hotel rates are often lower, though rain can disrupt traffic.

Plan Your Delhi Visit with D Asia Travels

Whatever the season, a little planning makes Delhi far more enjoyable. D Asia Travels times your sightseeing around the weather, books air-conditioned private cars, chooses flights that avoid the worst of the fog, and builds in buffer days for your onward journey to Kashmir.

Ready to plan? Explore our Delhi + Kashmir Tour Packages, our Golden Triangle Tour, or the Delhi-Agra Tour Package with Kashmir.