The climate of Rajasthan in northwestern India is generally arid or semi-arid and features fairly hot temperatures over the year with extreme temperatures in both summer and winter. The hottest months are May and June. The monsoon season is from July to September; however, rainfall remains moderate.
History
Under the Köppen climate classification the greater part of Rajasthan falls under Hot Desert (BWh) and remaining portions of the state falls under Hot Semi Arid (BSh); the climate of the state ranges from arid to semi-arid. Rajasthan receives low and variable rainfalls and thereby is prone to droughts. While Rajasthan is a dry and hot state, hailstorms may rarely occur, as in December 2019, a hailstorm covered Nagaur, Rajasthan in a thin snow-like icy blanket. Later on, it was clarified that this was not snowfall but a hailstorm which had been endorsed by western disturbances. The climate has changed in winters like never before.
Seasons
Summer Due to the Desert Geography, frequently climb above 40 to 45 degrees Celsius in most places. Due to its location, summers are the longest season in Rajasthan. In this time tourist activities are very low.
Winter The cold weather commences early in October and ends around the end of February and sometimes the temperatures reach nearly 2-degree Celsius [*record in 1964 in JAIPUR the temperature reached 0-degree Celsius on 13 December]. This period is considered the peak season for tourism and festivals in the state due to the comfortable daytime temperatures.
Monsoon The state has two distinct periods of rainfall: rainfall due to the South-West Monsoon after summer and rainfall due to Western Disturbances.
Temperature + Average temperatures in various cities of Rajasthan(°C) Winter(Jan – Feb) Summer(Mar – May) Monsoon(Jun – Sep) Post-monsoon(Oct – Dec) Year-round Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec AvgJaipur(Highest)22.4 25.0 31.0 37.1 40.3 39.3 34.1 32.4 33.8 33.6 29.2 24.4 31.9Jaipur(Lowest)08.4 10.8 16.0 21.8 25.9 27.4 25.8 24.7 23.2 19.4 13.8 9.2 18.8
Precipitation + Average precipitation in various cities of Rajasthan(mm) — Winter(Jan – Feb) Summer(Mar – May) Monsoon(Jun – Sep) Post-monsoon(Oct – Dec) Year-round City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TotalJaipur7.0 10.6 3.1 4.9 17.9 63.4 223.3 205.9 66.3 25.0 3.9 4.2 637.4
Disasters
Drought and famine Rajasthan receives low and variable rainfalls and thereby is prone to droughts. Availability of water is less due to the absence of rivers and lakes.
Floods Occasional floods in cities due to improper drainage occurs. Sometimes floods also occur in western Rajasthan due to impervious base rocks.
Pollution In some industrial and urban centers pollution has been reported occasionally.
Climate data
See also Climate of India Loo Thar Desert
References