The short answer
When to go to Lonar
The best window is November to February, when days are dry and mild and the descent is most comfortable, with migratory birds on the lake from October to March. March gets hot by midday, and April and May are punishing, with almost no shade on the crater floor. From June to September the rain makes steps slippery. Older travellers should plan to finish any walking before late morning.
Month by month
Lonar weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C | 15°C | 5 mm | Dry and mild; good for the rim walk and temples | |
| February | 31°C | 17°C | 6 mm | Dry, warming up; still comfortable in the mornings | |
| March | 35°C | 21°C | 16 mm | Getting hot by midday; go early | |
| April | 38°C | 25°C | 3 mm | Very hot and shadeless; the crater floor is punishing | |
| May | 39°C | 26°C | 10 mm | Hottest month; not sensible for older travellers | |
| June | 35°C | 24°C | 156 mm | Monsoon onset; slippery steps and mud | |
| July | 29°C | 22°C | 211 mm | Heavy rain; the descent path can be slippery | |
| August | 28°C | 21°C | 226 mm | Wettest month; trails slippery, leeches reported | |
| September | 29°C | 22°C | 149 mm | Rain easing; green but still damp underfoot | |
| October | 31°C | 20°C | 67 mm | Post-monsoon greenery, migratory birds begin to arrive | |
| November | 30°C | 17°C | 22 mm | Dry, clear and mild; good birding and temple visits | |
| December | 28°C | 15°C | 5 mm | Cool mornings, dry; the most comfortable month |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Lonar seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: January, February, November and December
- January: Dry and mild; good for the rim walk and temples
- February: Dry, warming up; still comfortable in the mornings
- November: Dry, clear and mild; good birding and temple visits
- December: Cool mornings, dry; the most comfortable month
Good, with small trade-offs: March and October
- March: Getting hot by midday; go early
- October: Post-monsoon greenery, migratory birds begin to arrive
Possible, with planning: September
- September: Rain easing; green but still damp underfoot
Best avoided with parents or children: April, May, June, July and August
- April: Very hot and shadeless; the crater floor is punishing
- May: Hottest month; not sensible for older travellers
- June: Monsoon onset; slippery steps and mud
- July: Heavy rain; the descent path can be slippery
- August: Wettest month; trails slippery, leeches reported
Useful answers
Best time to visit Lonar: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Lonar?
January, February, November and December are the best months to visit Lonar, with March and October also good. The best window is November to February, when days are dry and mild and the descent is most comfortable, with migratory birds on the lake from October to March. March gets hot by midday, and April and May are punishing, with almost no shade on the crater floor. From June to September the rain makes steps slippery. Older travellers should plan to finish any walking before late morning.
Which months should I avoid in Lonar with elderly parents?
April, May, June, July and August are the months to avoid with older travellers. Very hot and shadeless; the crater floor is punishing Hottest month; not sensible for older travellers
When does it rain most in Lonar?
August is the wettest month, with about 226 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is May, with average highs around 39°C.