The Tricity region is likely to experience normal to below-normal rainfall during the upcoming southwest monsoon season from June to September, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
IMD Forecast for the Region
The IMD's probabilistic forecast indicates normal to below-normal rainfall over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. The updated long-range forecast also suggests that below-normal rainfall is most likely across the country as a whole during the monsoon period.
Temperature Outlook for June
For June, the weather department has predicted normal to below-normal maximum and minimum temperatures. This outlook comes after a significantly wet May.
Record Rainfall in May
Chandigarh recorded 50.1 mm of rainfall in May against the normal average of 22.8 mm, marking a 120% excess. According to the meteorological centre, May is the final month of the pre-monsoon season from March to May, and the above-normal rainfall brought relief from intense summer heat.
Data shows that while May 2026 ranked among the wetter months in recent years, it remained below the record 106.5 mm rainfall recorded in May 2023. Last year, the city received 66 mm rainfall during the month.
Daily Rainfall and Temperature Patterns
The highest single-day rainfall this May was 19.7 mm on May 3, while total rainfall at the Chandigarh observatory stood at 54.2 mm. Despite intermittent showers, temperatures remained high. The city recorded a peak of 44.4 degrees Celsius on May 21, with the average maximum for the month at 37.4 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures dropped in the last two days, offering relief to residents. On Saturday, the maximum temperature settled at 32 degrees Celsius, nearly 7 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was 20.4 degrees Celsius, about 6 degrees below normal.
Outlook for the Coming Days
As per the IMD forecast, Chandigarh is likely to see partly cloudy skies over the next few days, with chances of light rain or thunderstorms on June 1. Thereafter, conditions are expected to remain largely dry. Maximum temperatures may rise from 36 degrees Celsius on June 1 to around 40 degrees Celsius by June 3 and 4. Minimum temperatures are expected to hover between 24 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius.
May Rainfall in Chandigarh (2013–2026)
- 2013: 14.8 mm
- 2014: 57.1 mm
- 2015: 17.4 mm
- 2016: 59.5 mm
- 2017: 5.7 mm
- 2018: 13.0 mm
- 2019: 20.4 mm
- 2020: 54.5 mm
- 2021: 60.8 mm
- 2022: 26.2 mm
- 2023: 106.5 mm (highest)
- 2024: 0.0 mm (lowest)
- 2025: 66.0 mm
- 2026: 50.1 mm
Key points: Normal rainfall is 22.8 mm. The 2026 departure is +120% (excess).
