This September wrapped up with a total of 132.2 mm rain, making it the driest September in three years, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. This comes even as rainfall this month was above the normal figure of 131.4 mm.
Paul added that the relatively early withdrawal of the monsoon also played a part. However, the city continued to receive rain spells after that owing to Western Disturbances (WDs) in the region. For the October-to-December period, however, IMD expects above-average rainfall across the region. During the winter months, rain is primarily caused by WDs. This could be good news for air quality, as rain can help prevent air quality from turning poor.
At 132.2 mm, the rain this September was the lowest since 2023, when 52.8 mm rain was recorded in the whole month. Monsoon officially retreated from the city on September 23.
Speaking about this, IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul said with El Nino conditions active in the region, the last month of monsoon saw subdued rains. IMD officials said the effect of the WD, particularly in the last week of the month, kept the average minimum temperature low even as the day temperature continued to remain high.
Along with the above-normal rainfall in September, the city also recorded unusually cool nights, with the average minimum temperature dropping to 23.4°C — the lowest in 15 years, as per data available at the IMD Sector 39 centre. Before this, the lowest average minimum temperature was recorded in 2015 and 2018, when it was 23.7°C. At 34.2°C, the average maximum temperature this year, however, was on the higher side, rising from 33.3°C last year. It was the highest since 2023, when the average maximum temperature was 34.4°C.
Overall, the city recorded 710.8 mm rain since the start of the season in June, which is 15.9% below normal for the corresponding period. However, a departure of below 18% isn’t considered significant by the IMD and will be recorded as normal monsoon rainfall.
