Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, features a humid subtropical climate with dramatic seasonal contrasts. Summers are scorching and dry, the monsoon brings heavy rains and humidity, and winters are cool, dry, and often foggy. The city’s climate supports lush gardens and vibrant festivals, making Lucknow a fascinating destination year-round for culture and history enthusiasts.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Lucknow’s climate is shaped by its inland location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, resulting in three main seasons: a hot, dry summer; a rainy monsoon; and a cool, dry winter. Summers (April–June) are extremely hot and dry, with average highs of 39–41°C and lows around 25–28°C. May and June are the hottest months, and hot winds known as 'Loo' can push daytime temperatures above 45°C. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 9 hours per day, and dust storms or thunderstorms are common in late spring. Humidity remains low until the monsoon arrives.
The monsoon season (mid-June to early October) brings a dramatic shift, with heavy rainfall and high humidity. July is the wettest month, averaging 255 mm of rain, and temperatures drop slightly to highs of 32–35°C. Rain falls as intense showers, often in the afternoon or evening, and the city becomes lush and green. Humidity can reach 80–85%, and evenings are cooler with pleasant breezes. The monsoon accounts for about 75% of Lucknow’s annual 915 mm rainfall. Autumn (October–November) is a transitional period, with warm days, cool nights, and decreasing rain.
Winters (December–February) are cool, dry, and often foggy, with highs of 20–25°C and lows dipping to 3–8°C. Cold spells and thick fog are common in January, sometimes reducing visibility to near zero and causing chilly mornings. Rain is rare in winter, but occasional showers may occur. The diurnal temperature range is significant, and days are generally sunny with 7–8 hours of sunshine. Spring (March) is short and pleasant, with rapidly rising temperatures and blooming flowers. Winds are generally light to moderate (10–14 km/h), and air quality can be poor in winter due to fog and pollution.
| Average climate data for Lucknow, India | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 22 | 26 | 32 | 38 | 40 | 38 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 25 | 40 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 8 | 10 | 14 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 8 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 20 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 18 | 121 | 271 | 258 | 210 | 42 | 7 | 13 | 991 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 47 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Average UV index | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 9 |
The best time to visit Lucknow is from mid-November to mid-February, when temperatures are cool, skies are clear, and rainfall is minimal. This period is ideal for sightseeing, cultural festivals, and enjoying the city’s gardens and markets in comfortable weather, though fog and pollution can be an issue in late December and January.
The least favourable time to visit is from April to June, when extreme heat and dry winds make outdoor activities challenging. The monsoon season (July–September) also brings heavy rain, high humidity, and occasional flooding, which can disrupt travel plans and outdoor sightseeing.
Lucknow has a humid subtropical climate with hot, dry summers (up to 41°C), a rainy monsoon (mid-June to September), and cool, dry winters (down to 3°C at night). Fog is common in winter, and rainfall peaks in July.
The best time to visit Lucknow is from mid-November to mid-February, when the weather is cool, dry, and ideal for sightseeing and festivals. Avoid late December to mid-January if you dislike foggy mornings.
Summers in Lucknow are extremely hot, with average highs of 39–41°C from April to June. Temperatures can exceed 45°C during heatwaves, and hot winds (Loo) make afternoons uncomfortable.
Most of Lucknow's 915 mm annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon (mid-June to September), with July being the wettest month. Rain falls as intense showers, often in the afternoon or evening.
Yes, winters are cool to chilly, with daytime highs of 20–25°C and nighttime lows of 3–8°C. Fog is common in January, and cold spells can bring temperatures near freezing.
Travel is possible during the monsoon, but heavy rain, high humidity, and occasional flooding can disrupt plans. The city is lush and green, but outdoor activities may be limited.
Pack warm layers for winter, light cotton clothing and sun protection for summer, and a raincoat or umbrella for the monsoon. Comfortable shoes are recommended for sightseeing year-round.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is May (40.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (22.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 31.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is June (26.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (7.5 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 18.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (270.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (4.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 991.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (12.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (0.4 days). Over the whole year there are 46.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is April (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 7.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 12). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 9.1.
