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Weather Conditions in North East
People everywhere are discovering the many bounties of the north east only in recent times. The culture, the vibrant colours, the tribes, the beautiful natural spots – everything here seems to be flush with natural beauty. It’s no wonder then that the north east seems to be one of the most popular destinations today, and hordes of travellers can be found visiting the region throughout the year. But what is the best time to visit north east? Is it different during any particular season and why? Why should you plan your trip around certain months?
Due to its vast region and composition of eight states, the north east climate too differs greatly from region to region. It’s always a good idea to check the best time to go to north east before planning your vacation. You want to make sure that your time and money are well spent, and you have the best vacation possible. Here’s a look at the different seasons of the year and what to expect during them, in the north east.
Many people consider this to be the best time to visit north east because of the generally cool climate that the region experiences. Summer extends from the months of April, May and June and the climate is quite pleasant and enjoyable. For visitors, this season can actually be perfect although there are certain lower altitude regions in Arunachal Pradesh where the summers can be scorching as temperatures reach 40 °C.
However, in most parts of the north east, the temperature doesn’t go above 30 °C and you can enjoy an abundance of blue skies and cool weather. Summer is almost perfect for those who are coming to the north east for adventure activities such as kayaking, boating, mountain biking, caving etc. Summer is also the best time to visit places such as Kaziranga National Park, Ziro Valley, Nathu La, Dawki River and Jaintia Hills. Also, summer is really wonderful because of the many flowers that come into bloom at this time, adding colour and beauty to the region. An important thing to remember is to bring some light woollen clothes in case nights get chilly, which they are quite prone to.
The winter months are from October and often last right until March. Some parts of the north east can be quite cold with temperatures even touching minus 10 °C at night. If cold weather is not your thing, then you should avoid visiting these parts of the north east during this weather. However, some of the regions that have lower altitudes are bracingly cold, a refreshing change from city winters, making it the best time to visit north east. During winters, some hill stations can be quite lovely and if you do not really mind the cold and snow, you can visit some of these villages and towns.
In November, December and January, there is often snowfall and some parts of the region cannot be reached as a result. However, winters are great if you want to explore places like the Kaziranga National Park or enjoy the amazing Hornbill Festival, which is quite the cultural extravaganza. Places like Gangtok, Rinchenpong and Pelling are excellent destinations if you plan to visit north east during winter. Do bear in mind that some areas can be inaccessible because of weather conditions. A good thing to do is to carry heavy woollens and jackets so you stay warm. If you’re surrounded by freezing temperatures, it’s also a good idea to bring along thermals with you.
Monsoon in the north east can be from June to September. The rains can be quite heavy and incessant, and it’s generally considered not to be a very good time to visit the north east. The continuous rainfall can damage roads and it can affect the movement of vehicles. There is always the danger of landslides and road blockages cause a lot of delays. Adventure activities are also on a hiatus at this time. For this reason, many people avoid visiting north east during the monsoons. However, do remember that north east becomes lush and green during this time and it’s fantastic to see the glorious waterfalls in most of the north east places.
While generally this is considered off-season, you can still find tourists here, exploring the low-lying areas and enjoying the lush natural beauty of the region. With temperatures being mild, people often come here during the monsoons as ticket prices and accommodation is quite reasonably low. It’s a good idea to bring your umbrella along so you are not taken unawares by sudden rain showers.
Just after monsoon and before winter comes, there’s the post monsoon season where temperatures can be between 10 to 15 °C. Since winter has not yet begun, the weather is still not very cold. Even though it’s an off season, tourists do come here often enough at this time to enjoy the green landscape and the cool breezes. Typically, this season is from October to November and doesn’t last long. This is an excellent time to explore the monasteries and people can enjoy trekking and other adventure sports as well, which makes it a great time to visit the north east.
Planning a vacation to the north east? Do check the SOTC website for offers and deals on North East tour packages, as there are several discounts available, which can be the icing on your cake.
