Relocating to India 101: Climate and Weather (1st Stop)

Note 1: Relocation to India is a complex issue and involves many subjective issues. The attempt made in this article is to help the reader make an informed decision and doing my best to bring out as much objectivity as I can based on available data sources. Unlike many of my highly referenced previous articles, this is not a scientific article and more of a journal article.

Climatic conditions play a significant role when considering relocation from the US to India, as they can affect your daily life, health, comfort, and overall adaptation to the new environment.

In no particular order, I have selected seven cities in India which are ideal for someone to relocate to and discussed the climate and weather related factors. We will do a deep dive into all these climatic aspects for even foreign nationals completely unfamiliar with India and looking to relocate to India.? The Cities are:

1.??? Delhi (North)

2.??? Mumbai (West)

3.??? Chennai (South)

4.??? Kolkata (East)

5.??? Bengaluru (South)

6.??? Pune (West)

7.??? Ahmedabad (West)

The three primary factors considered for weather and climatic conditions are:

A.?? Temperature and Humidity

B.?? Air Quality

C.?? Monsoon (As an indicator of rain events)

Note:?

2.??? If weather and climatic conditions are not an area that is a major concern for you and your family or company, you can completely skip this article and wait for a more relevant article in one of my future writings.?

3.??? While there are plenty of additional options including settling in much smaller towns or pristine locations like hill station in the Himalayas up in North/East India, Goa in the West, or Nilgiris Mountains (Roughly translated as the Blue Mountains) etc in the south, it might work best to relocate for at least the first year to one of the major cities in India to make the transition from the west to east more gradual.

A.?? Temperature and Humidity:

India has a wide range of climatic zones, from the cool Himalayan north to the hot and humid southern coast. Depending on where you’re coming from in the US, you may find the heat and humidity in many Indian cities to be quite challenging, especially during the summer months.

Delhi:

• Summer: Hot and dry with temperatures often above 40°C (104°F). Discomfort due to extreme heat.
• Monsoon: High humidity with sporadic heavy rainfall.
• Winter: Mild and pleasant with temperatures ranging from 8°C (46°F) to 20°C (68°F).

Mumbai:

• Summer: Hot and humid, with temperatures around 30°C (86°F) to 35°C (95°F).
• Monsoon: Very high humidity with heavy rainfall, causing discomfort and flooding.
• Winter: Mild weather with lower humidity, making it the most comfortable season.

Chennai:

• Summer: Extremely hot and humid, with temperatures often crossing 40°C (104°F).
• Monsoon: Receives most of its rainfall during the northeast monsoon; high humidity persists.
• Winter: Warm and humid, but relatively more comfortable than summer.

Kolkata:

• Summer: Hot and very humid, with temperatures around 30°C (86°F) to 40°C (104°F).
• Monsoon: High humidity and heavy rainfall.
• Winter: Pleasant with moderate temperatures ranging from 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F).

Bangalore:

• Summer: Moderate temperatures around 25°C (77°F) to 35°C (95°F) with occasional heat spells.
• Monsoon: Moderate to high rainfall with pleasant temperatures.
• Winter: Cool and comfortable with temperatures ranging from 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F).

Pune:

• Summer: Dry heat with temperatures around 25°C (77°F) to 35°C (95°F).
• Monsoon: Moderate rainfall with a drop in temperature, making it pleasant.
• Winter: Mild weather with low humidity, temperatures ranging from 10°C (50°F) to 25°C (77°F).

Ahmedabad:

• Summer: Extremely hot with temperatures often above 40°C (104°F) and low humidity.
• Monsoon: Moderate rainfall with some humidity.
• Winter: Pleasant with cool temperatures ranging from 12°C (54°F) to 28°C (82°F).

B.??? Air Quality:

Some Indian cities, particularly in the north like Delhi, experience high levels of air pollution. This can be a health concern, especially for those with respiratory issues.

Delhi:

The air quality in Delhi varies significantly by season. Here’s a general overview based on the information available:

·?????? March to September: The air quality index (AQI) of Delhi is generally in the good to moderate levels. During these months, the weather conditions are more favourable, which helps in dispersing pollutants.

·?????? October to February: The AQI drastically deteriorates to poor to hazardous levels. This is due to various factors including the burning of effigies during Vijayadashami, bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, stubble burning, road dust, vehicle pollution, and cold weather which traps pollutants close to the ground.

Currently, as of November 2023, the AQI in Delhi has been recorded at 365, which falls under the ‘very poor’ category. This indicates that the air quality has deteriorated, which is common for this time of the year.

Mumbai (Bombay):

?The air quality in Mumbai varies by season, with some seasons experiencing higher levels of pollution than others. Here’s a general overview:

·?????? Winter (December to February): The air quality tends to be poorer in the winter months due to factors such as temperature inversion, which traps pollutants closer to the ground, and increased emissions from heating sources.

·?????? Summer (March to May): The air quality may improve slightly during the summer months, although it can still remain at moderate to poor levels. The increase in temperature can help disperse pollutants, but there can also be an increase in ozone levels due to stronger sunlight.

·?????? Monsoon (June to September): The air quality often improves during the monsoon season due to the rain washing away pollutants. However, high humidity levels can contribute to discomfort.

·?????? Post-Monsoon (October to November): Post-monsoon, the air quality can vary. It may start to deteriorate again as the temperature begins to drop and the wind speed decreases, leading to the accumulation of pollutants.

However, it has been experiencing unusually poor air quality in recent times due to dust storms. The air pollution index is generally considerably lower throughout the year than in Delhi.

Chennai (Madras):

The air quality in Chennai varies by season, influenced by various factors such as weather conditions, pollution sources, and seasonal activities. Here’s a general overview:

·?????? Winter (December to February): The air quality tends to be poorer during the winter months due to lower temperatures and reduced wind speeds, which can lead to the accumulation of pollutants near the ground.

·?????? Summer (March to May): The air quality might improve slightly due to higher temperatures and better wind circulation, which can help disperse pollutants. However, dust storms and vehicular emissions can still contribute to moderate pollution levels.

·?????? Monsoon (June to September): The air quality often improves during the monsoon season due to the rain washing away pollutants from the air. However, high humidity levels can make the air feel heavier and more polluted.

·?????? Post-Monsoon (October to November): Post-monsoon, the air quality can vary. It may start to deteriorate as the temperature begins to drop and wind speeds decrease, leading to the trapping of pollutants.

Kolkata (Calcutta):

Here’s a general overview of how the air quality in Kolkata changes with the seasons:

·??????Winter (December to February): The air quality is often the poorest during the winter months. Cooler temperatures and lower wind speeds can trap pollutants near the surface, leading to higher concentrations of particulate matter and other pollutants.

·??????Summer (March to May): The air quality may improve slightly as the temperatures rise and the air becomes more turbulent, dispersing pollutants. However, dust storms and occasional wildfires can contribute to poor air quality during this season.

·??????Monsoon (June to September): The monsoon season typically brings cleaner air to Kolkata as the rain helps to settle dust and wash away pollutants. However, high humidity levels can make the air feel heavier and more uncomfortable.

·??????Post-Monsoon (October to November): Air quality can start to decline post-monsoon as temperatures begin to cool and wind speeds decrease, which can lead to an increase in pollution levels.

Bengaluru (Bangalore):

The air quality in Bengaluru varies by season, and here’s a general overview based on the seasons:

·?????? Winter (December to February): The air quality can be moderate to poor during winter. Cooler temperatures and calm winds can lead to the accumulation of pollutants, especially particulate matter.

·?????? Summer (March to May): The air quality tends to improve with the increase in temperature and wind speed, which helps disperse pollutants. However, occasional dust storms can temporarily worsen the air quality.

·?????? Monsoon (June to September): The monsoon season generally brings better air quality due to the rain washing away airborne pollutants. The air is fresher, and pollution levels are typically lower.

·?????? Post-Monsoon (October to November): After the monsoon, the air quality may start to decline as the weather becomes cooler and drier, leading to an increase in pollution levels.

Pune:

The air quality in Pune, like in many cities, can fluctuate throughout the year due to various seasonal factors. Here’s a general overview based on the seasons:

·?????? Winter (December to February): The air quality can be poor during the winter months. Cooler temperatures and stable atmospheric conditions can lead to smog and higher pollution levels as pollutants are trapped closer to the ground.

·?????? Summer (March to May): The air quality may improve slightly as warmer temperatures and increased wind speeds help disperse pollutants. However, dust and other particulates can still contribute to moderate pollution levels.

·?????? Monsoon (June to September): The monsoon season often brings improved air quality due to the rain washing away pollutants. However, high humidity levels can make the air feel heavy and sometimes lead to the formation of ground-level ozone.

·?????? Post-Monsoon (October to November): Post-monsoon, the air quality can vary. It may start to deteriorate again as the weather cools and wind speeds decrease, which can lead to an increase in pollution levels.

Ahmedabad:

The air quality in Ahmedabad varies by season, and here’s a general overview:

·?????? Winter (December to February): The air quality tends to be poorer during the winter months. Cooler temperatures and calm winds can lead to the accumulation of pollutants, resulting in higher levels of air pollution.

·?????? Summer (March to May): The air quality may improve slightly as temperatures rise and winds become stronger, helping to disperse pollutants. However, dust and other particulates can still contribute to moderate pollution levels.

·?????? Monsoon (June to September): The monsoon season generally brings better air quality due to the rain washing away airborne pollutants. The air is fresher, and pollution levels are typically lower.

·?????? Post-Monsoon (October to November): After the monsoon, the air quality can start to decline as the weather becomes cooler and drier, leading to an increase in pollution levels.

C.?? Monsoon Season:

The monsoon season brings heavy rains and can cause flooding in certain areas. It’s essential to be prepared for this seasonal change, which can affect transportation and daily activities.

Delhi: ?

The monsoon season in Delhi typically starts in late June and lasts until mid-September. The average temperatures during this period are around 29 °C (84 °F), but they can vary from around 25 °C (77 °F) on rainy days to 35–40 °C (95–104 °F) during dry spells.

Mumbai:

Mumbai experiences the southwest monsoon from June to September. The wet season doesn’t always rain every day, but it can rain heavily for days in a row.

Chennai:

Chennai’s monsoon season runs from July to December, with the wettest period being from mid-October to mid-December due to the north-east monsoon or retreating monsoon.

Kolkata:

Kolkata receives most of its rainfall from the southwest monsoon between June and September, with July and August being the wettest months. The northeast monsoon also produces rain in October and November.

Bangalore:

Bangalore has a tropical climate tempered by altitude, with a rainy season from June to October due to the monsoon. Showers and thunderstorms become more frequent in May, before the monsoon.

Pune:

Pune’s monsoon season is from June to October, with moderate rainfall. The monsoon typically runs from 10 June to 11 October.

Ahmedabad:

Ahmedabad’s monsoon season is from mid-June to September. The dry season is long, and the landscape is barren. During some years, the monsoon lasts less than normal, causing drought, while in other years it is more intense and can cause floods.

Each city has its unique characteristics during the monsoon, with varying levels of rainfall and temperature changes. Monsoons bring a much-needed respite from the heat in these regions, often transforming the landscapes into lush, green environments.

To summarize, the following table might be useful:

Based on this table, cities like Bengaluru and Pune are often considered to have more pleasant climates due to moderate temperatures and lower humidity levels, which might contribute to a higher ease of living from a climatic standpoint. In contrast, cities like Delhi and Mumbai may rank lower due to extreme temperatures, higher humidity, and air pollution levels.

The next article (Tentatively planned for next month) will talk on a different key aspect to consider while relocating to India.