Climate of Agra
Coordinates: 27°18′0″N 78°02′02″E / 27.30000°N 78.03389°E
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. The monsoon, though substantial in Agra, is not quite as heavy as the monsoon in other parts of India. The average monsoon rainfall during June to September is 628.6 millimeters.[1] Agra has a reputation of being one of the hottest towns in India. In summers the city witnesses a sudden surge in temperature and at times, mercury goes beyond the 46°C mark in addition to a very high level of humidity. During summer, the daytime temperature hovers around 46-50°C. Nights are relatively cooler and temperature lowers to a comfortable 30°C. Winters are bit chilly but are the best time to visit Agra. The minimum temperature sometimes goes as low as 2 or 3°C but usually hovers in the range of 6 to 8°C.[2]
| Climate data for Agra, India | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 33.0 (91.4) |
35.6 (96.1) |
42.8 (109) |
46.5 (115.7) |
48.6 (119.5) |
48.5 (119.3) |
46.5 (115.7) |
43.0 (109.4) |
41.4 (106.5) |
41.1 (106) |
36.1 (97) |
31.0 (87.8) |
48.6 (119.5) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 22.3 (72.1) |
25.2 (77.4) |
32.0 (89.6) |
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 (90.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 15.1 (59.2) |
17.8 (64) |
24.0 (75.2) |
30.5 (86.9) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.6 (94.3) |
31.1 (88) |
29.6 (85.3) |
29.4 (84.9) |
27.0 (80.6) |
21.7 (71.1) |
16.6 (61.9) |
26.0 (78.8) |
| 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) |
19.3 (66.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −2.2 (28) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
5.6 (42.1) |
10.0 (50) |
14.0 (57.2) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.5 (58.1) |
12.0 (53.6) |
13.0 (55.4) |
9.4 (48.9) |
2.8 (37) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−2.2 (28) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 13.2 (0.52) |
17.6 (0.693) |
9.3 (0.366) |
6.3 (0.248) |
11.3 (0.445) |
55.7 (2.193) |
203.3 (8.004) |
243.2 (9.575) |
129.7 (5.106) |
24.8 (0.976) |
4.3 (0.169) |
6.1 (0.24) |
724.8 (28.535) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 4.7 | 13.6 | 13.7 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 49.2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 64 | 55 | 45 | 35 | 34 | 46 | 72 | 77 | 67 | 54 | 56 | 64 | 56 |
| Source #1: NOAA (1971–1990),[3] World Meteorological Organization (precipitation 1901–2000)[4] | |||||||||||||
| Source #2: India Meteorological Department (records)[5] | |||||||||||||
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 in Agra:
- 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.[6]
January
January is the coldest month in the city and Western Disturbance also occur in this month coming from Northern Pakistan. The highest monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 26.1 °C (79.0 °F) in 1932. The lowest monthly average minimum temperature recorded was 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) in 1927 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 29.1 °C (84.4 °F) in 1993. The lowest monthly average minimum temperature recorded was 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) in 1925 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in 1994. The lowest monthly average minimum 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 41.1 °C (106.0 °F) in 1921. The lowest monthly average minimum 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 44.6 °C (112.3 °F) in 1921. The lowest monthly average minimum 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.
June
It remains hot but during the middle or end of June pre-monsoon showers can start. The highest monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) in 1924. The lowest monthly average minimum 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) in 1911. The lowest monthly average minimum 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in 1987. The lowest monthly average minimum 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in 1913. The lowest monthly average minimum 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 36.1 °C (97.0 °F) in 1993. The lowest monthly average minimum 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in 1987. The lowest monthly average minimum 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 monthly average maximum temperature recorded was 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) in 1992. The lowest monthly average minimum 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.
See also
References
- ↑ Agra World Meteorological Organization
- ↑ Agra Weather - Agra Climate - Agra Weather Forecast - Climate and Weather of Agra India
- ↑ "Agra Climate Normals 1971-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ↑ "World Weather Information Service–Agra". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Ever recorded Maximum and minimum temperatures upto 2010" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/mean/AGRA.htm