Climate of Agra: Difference between revisions
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Agra features a semi-arid climate that borders on a humid subtropical climate. The city features mild winters, hot and dry summers and a monsoon season. However the monsoons, though substantial in Agra, are not quite as heavy as the monsoon in other parts of India. Agra has a reputation of being one of the hottest towns in India; hottest in terms of both, tourist destination as well as temperature. In summers the city witnesses a sudden surge in temperature and at times, mercury go beyond even 46°C mark. The humidity is appalling and is sure to leave you puffing and panting. During the summers, the daytime temperature hovers around 40-46°C. Nights are relatively cooler and mercury dips to a comfortable 30°C. It rains scantly during the monsoons as Agra falls in a semi-arid region. The annual average rainfall never goes beyond 400 millimeters. Winters are bit chilly but are the best time to visit Agra. The minimum temperature sometimes goes as low as 2-3°C but usually hovers in the range of 7-8°C. Days are pleasant and best to roam around the historical city[1] Winter is the best season to visit Agra, when days are warm and sunny and ideal for sightseeing.[2]
| Climate data for Agra, India | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22.3 (72.1) |
25.2 (77.4) |
32 (90) |
38.5 (101.3) |
41.6 (106.9) |
40.7 (105.3) |
35.2 (95.4) |
33.7 (92.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
34.3 (93.7) |
29.7 (85.5) |
24.0 (75.2) |
32.6 (90.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8.0 (46.4) |
10.4 (50.7) |
15.9 (60.6) |
22.3 (72.1) |
26.4 (79.5) |
28.5 (83.3) |
26.8 (80.2) |
25.8 (78.4) |
24.4 (75.9) |
19.9 (67.8) |
13.7 (56.7) |
9.1 (48.4) |
13 (55) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 9.0 (0.35) |
12.0 (0.47) |
10.0 (0.39) |
10.0 (0.39) |
16.0 (0.63) |
67.0 (2.64) |
196.0 (7.72) |
227.0 (8.94) |
113.0 (4.45) |
27.0 (1.06) |
3.0 (0.12) |
5.0 (0.20) |
695 (27.36) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 64 | 55 | 45 | 35 | 34 | 46 | 72 | 77 | 67 | 54 | 56 | 64 | 56 |
| Source: [3] | |||||||||||||
Factors
The monsoon and the Western Disturbance are the two main factors which alter the weather over Agra; otherwise, Continental air prevails for rest of the year, like most cities of North western India, the weather and climate of Agra is extreme and tropical in nature. Following are the main factors that influence the weather over Agra city.
- Western Disturbances mostly occur during the winter months and cause light to moderate showers, temperature also decreases due to it.
- Southwest Monsoon occurs in summer from the month of June till September. Monsoon rains bring much awaited relief from the scorching heat. These monsoon rains are quite heavy by nature and can cause significant flooding.
- Continental air prevails during the period when there is no precipitation in Agra.
Monthly weather conditions
Like other cities, Agra has four seasons: winter (Dec-Feb), summer (May-Sept), autumn (Oct-Nov) and spring (March-April). The monsoon season occurs in the summer. The following is a monthly summary of climatic conditions in Agra based on data from the India Meteorological Department.[4]
January
The month of January is the coldest month of the city, Western Disturbance also occur in this month coming from Northern Pakistan.
- Highest temperature recorded was 26.1 °C (79.0 °F) in 1932.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) in 2000.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 51.8 millimetres (2.04 in) in 1947.
February
Cold conditions continue till middile of February after that weaher becomes settle and pleasant. Winter showers also occur in this month.
- Highest temperature recorded was 29.1 °C (84.4 °F) in 1993.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) in 1932.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 506.2 millimetres (19.93 in) in 1980.
March
Hot and dry weather returns during March.
- Highest temperature recorded was 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in 1994.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) in 2000.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 45.7 millimetres (1.80 in) in 1944.
April
Temperatures start to rise in this month.
- Highest temperature recorded was 41.1 °C (106.0 °F) in 1921.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in 1999.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 61.8 millimetres (2.43 in) in 1984.
May
May is the hottest month of Agra city.
- Highest temperature recorded was 44.6 °C (112.3 °F) in 1921.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) in 1999.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 62.0 millimetres (2.44 in) in 1987.
June
It remains hot but during the middle or end of June pre-monsoon showers can start.
- Highest temperature recorded was 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) in 1924.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) in 1999.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 355.8 millimetres (14.01 in) in 1952.
July
Monsoon season is starts in July.
- Highest temperature recorded was 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) in 1911.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in 2000.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 551.2 millimetres (21.70 in) in 1994.
August
August is the wettest month of Agra city.
- Highest temperature recorded was 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in 1987.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) in 1999.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 617.7 millimetres (24.32 in) in 1957.
September
The intensity of rainstorm decreases in the month of September as monsoon starts to withdraw.
- Highest temperature recorded was 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in 1913.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) in 1999.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 609.0 millimetres (23.98 in) in 1939.
October
Post-monsoon rains could occur in this month.
- Highest temperature recorded was 36.1 °C (97.0 °F) in 1993.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in 1999.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 268.7 millimetres (10.58 in) in 1911.
November
It is the driest month of the city.
- Highest temperature recorded was 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in 1987.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 8.0 °C (46.4 °F) in 1999.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 75.9 millimetres (2.99 in) in 1969.
December
Winter season begins in this month.
- Highest temperature recorded was 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) in 1992.
- Lowest temperature recorded was 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) in 1999.
- Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 62.6 millimetres (2.46 in) in 1967.