Chennai features a Tropical Wet and Dry climate (Köppen: Aw), characterized by high temperatures and significant humidity year-round. Because it lies on the thermal equator and on the coast, extreme variations in seasonal temperatures are rare.
* **Temperatures:** Summers (May-June) are scorching, with average highs frequently exceeding 38°C (100°F). Winters (December-February) are mild and pleasant, with highs around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F). * **Rainfall:** Unlike most of India, Chennai receives the bulk of its rainfall from the Northeast Monsoon (October to December), averaging about 1,400 mm (55 inches) annually. * **Natural Disasters:** The city is highly vulnerable to cyclonic storms forming in the Bay of Bengal between October and December. Urban flooding is a recurrent challenge during extreme rainfall events. * **Best Time to Visit:** November through February, when the weather is relatively cooler and less humid.