Climate of Agra

Coordinates: 27°18′0″N 78°02′02″E / 27.3°N 78.03389°E / 27.3; 78.03389

Sunset at Taj Mahal

The climate of 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
Average high °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)	32.63 (90.74)
Average low °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
Precipitation mm (inches)	9.0 (0.354)	12.0 (0.472)	10.0 (0.394)	10.0 (0.394)	16.0 (0.63)	67.0 (2.638)	196.0 (7.717)	227.0 (8.937)	113.0 (4.449)	27.0 (1.063)	3.0 (0.118)	5.0 (0.197)	695 (27.36)
% humidity	64	55	45	35	34	46	72	77	67	54	56	64	55.8
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. The highest temperature recorded was 26.1 °C (79.0 °F) in 1932. The lowest temperature recorded was 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) in 2000 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 51.8 millimetres (2.04 in) in 1947.

February

Cold conditions continue until the middle of February, after that the weather becomes settled and pleasant. Winter showers also occur in this month. The highest temperature recorded was 29.1 °C (84.4 °F) in 1993. The lowest temperature recorded was 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) in 1932 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 506.2 millimetres (19.93 in) in 1980.

March

Hot and dry weather returns during March. The Highest temperature recorded was 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in 1994. The lowest temperature recorded was 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) in 2000 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 45.7 millimetres (1.80 in) in 1944.

April

Temperatures start to rise in this month. The highest temperature recorded was 41.1 °C (106.0 °F) in 1921. The lowest temperature recorded was 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 61.8 millimetres (2.43 in) in 1984.

May

May is the hottest month of Agra city. The highest temperature recorded was 44.6 °C (112.3 °F) in 1921. The lowest temperature recorded was 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 62.0 millimetres (2.44 in) in 1987.

Mist surrounds the Taj Mahal

June

It remains hot but during the middle or end of June pre-monsoon showers can start. The highest temperature recorded was 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) in 1924. The lowest temperature recorded was 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 355.8 millimetres (14.01 in) in 1952.

July

Monsoon season starts in July. The highest temperature recorded was 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) in 1911. The lowest temperature recorded was 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in 2000 and highest monthly rainfall recorded was 551.2 millimetres (21.70 in) in 1994.

August

August is the wettest month of Agra city. The highest temperature recorded was 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in 1987. The lowest temperature recorded was 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) in 1999 and the 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. The highest temperature recorded was 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in 1913. The lowest temperature recorded was 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) in 1999 and highest monthly rainfall recorded was 609.0 millimetres (23.98 in) in 1939.

October

Post-monsoon rains could occur in this month. The highest temperature recorded was 36.1 °C (97.0 °F) in 1993. The lowest temperature recorded was 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in 1999 and the Highest monthly rainfall recorded was 268.7 millimetres (10.58 in) in 1911.

November

It is the driest month of the city. The highest temperature recorded was 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in 1987. The lowest temperature recorded was 8.0 °C (46.4 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 75.9 millimetres (2.99 in) in 1969.

December

Winter season begins in this month. The highest temperature recorded was 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) in 1992. The lowest temperature recorded was 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) in 1999 and the highest monthly rainfall recorded was 62.6 millimetres (2.46 in) in 1967.

Impact of climate change

Due to the threat posed by global warming, the pollution has been turning the Taj Mahal into yellow in colour. To help control the pollution, the Indian government has set up the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a 10,400-square-kilometer (4,000 sq mi) area around the monument where strict emissions standards are in place.^[5]

See also

• Climate of India
• Climate of Mumbai
• Climate of Delhi

References

1. ^ Agra Weather - Agra Climate - Agra Weather Forecast - Climate and Weather of Agra India
2. ^ Location of Agra,Agra Location,Climate of Agra,Agra Climate,Location and Climate of Agra,Agra Location in India,Location in Agra
3. ^ http://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/i/IN42261.php
4. ^ http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/mean/AGRA.htm
5. ^ "UNESCO". UNESCO. 1997-04-30. Archived from the original on 2008-05-26. http://web.archive.org/web/20080526021559/http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/signe.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-02.