Weather in Meghalaya

We have already given an overview of the climate of Meghalaya in our introduction here. The weather in Meghalaya is different from any other state with 5 distinct seasons of Spring, Summer, Monsoons, Autumn and Winter. Meghalaya is one those gems which can be visited all through the year. Whichever weather suits you. It is especially suitable round the year for people who come from hotter regions. However, due to its geographical location and terrain, it receives the highest rainfall in India. You can assume that there will be rains, always.

Seasons

The following table gives a general idea of the spread of seasons, the average temperatures and the conditions during the respective season.

Summers

As may be seen, the summers are not very severe here. Although different regions experience vast differences in average temperature, even the highest temperature in Summers is tolerable and pleasant. The central highlands and Khasi as well as Jaintia regions are cooler compared to the Western Garo regions that share border with Bangladesh. The highest temperature is associated with these regions.

Monsoons

Monsoons is a very tricky weather in Meghalaya for a tourist. The rains enhance the beauty of this region but may cause issues in exploring some of the places like caves and hillsides. Waterfalls become dangerous to approach. Lately, there have been numerous cases of landslides and road blocks adding to the issues. Entire state is not very developed from infrastructural point of view. During monsoons there may be difficulties in connectivity, networks and even availability of basic facilities in areas other than major towns. The rivers are also overflowing and carrying a lot of mud and silt down the hills.

According to us, it is not a very suitable time to explore the place as a tourist. Having said that, some travelers love visiting Meghalaya in monsoons. They say it offers a rawness of natural beauty. In fact, some of my friends have visited during peak monsoons a few years ago and vouched for the same rawness I talked about earlier. They enjoyed walking around in raincoats and wet sandals. But, keep in mind that rawness is not same as prime beauty.

Winters

Winters are cold and there is hardly any rainfall. Since the monsoons have already subsided, every zone is easily accessible to visit. Waterfalls are beautifully elegant, The river is clean and crystal clear. Temperatures are bearable in every region. It maybe very cloudy at several places which can hinder views of the valleys and waterfalls. You will need warm clothes when visiting Meghalaya in winters.

Best time to visit

From the above assessment, it is clear that there are actually two periods when it is best to visit Meghalaya. First is October to February. The temperatures are cooler, the monsoons have subsided, the waterfalls are brimming but not overflowing and in their prime beauty. There is greenery all around and you may also witness beautiful cloud carpets in the valleys. There will be slight rain in Cherrapunji and nearby areas. However, it is the peak season and will require planning in advance to reduce costs and find accommodations.

The second period is just before onset of monsoons i.e April-May when it is neither very warm nor very cold. The weather is pleasant and all the places are accessible. Also, the tourist season is coming to an end so the prices will be fair and there will be less rush. It may be a good time to enjoy and relax here when other parts of India face extreme heat conditions. To know about our experience and what we suggest, check out this post.