The short answer
When to go to Ranchi
The best months are November to February, when Ranchi is dry, clear and cool in the mornings, with daytime highs around 24 to 27 degrees. October and March are also workable. April and May are hot, and June to September brings heavy monsoon rain, which makes the waterfalls impressive but the steps and roads slippery. For older travellers, winter is the safest choice for Pahari Mandir and the falls.
Month by month
Ranchi weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C | 9°C | 18 mm | Cool, dry and clear; sights are comfortable all day | |
| February | 27°C | 13°C | 19 mm | Mild days, cool mornings; good for hills and parks | |
| March | 32°C | 17°C | 28 mm | Warming up; go out early and rest at midday | |
| April | 36°C | 21°C | 25 mm | Hot afternoons; do hill climbs at dawn only | |
| May | 37°C | 23°C | 59 mm | Hottest month with pre-monsoon storms | |
| June | 34°C | 24°C | 246 mm | Monsoon arrives; humid, falls start to fill | |
| July | 30°C | 23°C | 331 mm | Wettest month; falls at full flow but roads slow | |
| August | 30°C | 23°C | 321 mm | Heavy rain; waterfalls at their strongest | |
| September | 30°C | 22°C | 247 mm | Rain easing; falls still full, steps slippery | |
| October | 29°C | 19°C | 92 mm | Skies clear and air freshens; falls still flowing | |
| November | 27°C | 14°C | 8 mm | Dry, clear and pleasant; the start of peak season | |
| December | 24°C | 10°C | 11 mm | Cool and dry; warm layers needed at dawn |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Ranchi seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: January, February, November and December
- January: Cool, dry and clear; sights are comfortable all day
- February: Mild days, cool mornings; good for hills and parks
- November: Dry, clear and pleasant; the start of peak season
- December: Cool and dry; warm layers needed at dawn
Good, with small trade-offs: March and October
- March: Warming up; go out early and rest at midday
- October: Skies clear and air freshens; falls still flowing
Possible, with planning: April, June, July, August and September
- April: Hot afternoons; do hill climbs at dawn only
- June: Monsoon arrives; humid, falls start to fill
- July: Wettest month; falls at full flow but roads slow
- August: Heavy rain; waterfalls at their strongest
- September: Rain easing; falls still full, steps slippery
Best avoided with parents or children: May
- May: Hottest month with pre-monsoon storms
Useful answers
Best time to visit Ranchi: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Ranchi?
January, February, November and December are the best months to visit Ranchi, with March and October also good. The best months are November to February, when Ranchi is dry, clear and cool in the mornings, with daytime highs around 24 to 27 degrees. October and March are also workable. April and May are hot, and June to September brings heavy monsoon rain, which makes the waterfalls impressive but the steps and roads slippery. For older travellers, winter is the safest choice for Pahari Mandir and the falls.
Which months should I avoid in Ranchi with elderly parents?
May is the month to avoid with older travellers. Hottest month with pre-monsoon storms
When does it rain most in Ranchi?
July is the wettest month, with about 331 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is May, with average highs around 37°C.