When to go · Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji in May
Avoid month. Outside the best window (Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr (waterfalls still running, roads passable); Jun–Sep for maximum falls but heavy rain). Across India: Hottest month on the plains; only the Himalaya and Ladakh (opening late May) work.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C) / 17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 22
- Crowds
- Low
- India overall
- Prices
- Low
- India overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr (waterfalls still running, roads passable); Jun–Sep for maximum falls but heavy rain). Across India: Hottest month on the plains; only the Himalaya and Ladakh (opening late May) work.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Cherrapunji's best window: Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr (waterfalls still running, roads passable); Jun–Sep for maximum falls but heavy rain.
- JulyGreatInside Cherrapunji's best window: Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr (waterfalls still running, roads passable); Jun–Sep for maximum falls but heavy rain.
- AugustGreatInside Cherrapunji's best window: Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr (waterfalls still running, roads passable); Jun–Sep for maximum falls but heavy rain.
- SeptemberGreatInside Cherrapunji's best window: Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr (waterfalls still running, roads passable); Jun–Sep for maximum falls but heavy rain.
Weather in May
- CherrapunjiHighs around 25 °C (77 °F), lows around 17 °C (63 °F), rain on about 22 daysHighs around 77 °F (25 °C), lows around 63 °F (17 °C), rain on about 22 days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · India overall
- Low
- Prices · India overall
- Low
India overall: Hottest month on the plains; only the Himalaya and Ladakh (opening late May) work.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cherrapunji, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 25 °C (77 °F)77 °F (25 °C)
Mar: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Night low
May: 17 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17 °C)
Mar: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Rain days
May: 22
Mar: 6 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Mar: Medium
Prices
May: Low
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 0
Mar: 1
May: Outside the best window (Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr (waterfalls still running, roads passable); Jun–Sep for maximum falls but heavy rain). Across India: Hottest month on the plains; only the Himalaya and Ladakh (opening late May) work.
March: Inside Cherrapunji's best window: Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr (waterfalls still running, roads passable); Jun–Sep for maximum falls but heavy rain.
Cherrapunji: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast