New arrivals soon notice that the weather in Pune is much drier than on the coast. The city is about 1,840 feet (560m) above sea level on the Deccan Plateau, and it’s in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats. Annual rainfall is around 30 inches (760mm), which is roughly a third of Mumbai’s total.
Pune has a tropical climate, and there are four broad seasons: a hot summer from March to May, the monsoon from June to September, a short spell of ‘October heat’, and a cool, dry winter from November to February.
April and May are the hottest months. The average high in April is around 100°F (38°C), and afternoons above 104°F (40°C) are possible during a heatwave. Humidity is low in March and April, so the heat is dry. May is muggier, and the average low is a warm 73°F (23°C). Evening thunderstorms in late May are a welcome sign that the monsoon is close. If you arrive in summer, plan errands and exercise for early mornings or evenings.
Residents can expect the first monsoon showers around 10 June, and the season is usually over in the first half of October. The monsoon is responsible for nearly 80 percent of the year’s rain. July is the wettest month, and its average rainfall is about 7.5 inches (190mm). Most days in July and August are rainy, but steady drizzle and showers are much more typical than the torrential downpours Mumbai is known for. Daytime highs are a muggy 82°F (28°C) or so, and indoor laundry is slow to dry. Commuters can expect waterlogged roads and slow traffic after heavy rain.
Rain is far heavier in the hills of the Western Ghats, which locals call the Sahyadris. Sinhagad and the other hill forts near Pune are popular destinations for weekend treks during the monsoon. These hills are also the catchment for the Khadakwasla Dam, and floods in Pune are usually the result of water releases from the dam after heavy rain upstream. Low-lying neighbourhoods along the city’s rivers, such as parts of Sinhagad Road and Yerawada, are the most vulnerable. The authorities generally issue flood warnings ahead of large releases. Before you rent near a river, ask the landlord or neighbours whether the building has flooded in past monsoons.
Locals call the hot, sticky few weeks after the monsoon ‘October heat’. Afternoon highs are back up to around 90°F (32°C).
Winter is the most comfortable season, and sunny afternoons are a pleasant 86°F (30°C) even in January. December and January are the coldest months. Both have an average temperature of 69°F (21°C), but the nights are surprisingly cool. The average low is around 52°F (11°C), and lows below 43°F (6°C) aren’t unheard of during a cold snap. Pashan and other green western suburbs are often several degrees colder at dawn than built-up eastern areas such as Koregaon Park. Two-wheeler riders bundle up in jackets on winter mornings, and you’ll want a light jumper for evenings out.
Pune is around 60 miles (100km) inland, so tropical cyclones are a smaller threat here than on the coast. The main risk is just before and just after the monsoon. Arabian Sea cyclones are sometimes still strong enough to bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the city after landfall on the Konkan coast. In the event of a cyclone, you should follow all official directives and advisories. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues colour-coded weather alerts for Pune, and residents should take any orange or red alert seriously.