Tamil Nadu, India
Chennai
Chennai is a major city in Tamil Nadu, India, close to the sea. It has a population of about 6,599,000 (2024). The climate is classified as tropical savanna (Köppen Aw), with .
Now26°C
Best timeJan–Mar
Population6.6M
Local time20:57
13.09° N, 80.28° EElevation 14 mUTC+5:30 · India Standard Time
Postal code600001October: high / low30° / 25°
Rain this month302mm
Sea this month29°
Best timeJan–Mar
Best: Jan–Mar. Warmth, sunshine and dry days, month by month.
Chennai at a glance
Sunrise · sunset06:01 · 17:4711 h 46 min of daylightThe moon tonightWaxing gibbous85% · Moonrise 15:38Next holiday8 NovemberDiwali (Deepavali)Next eclipse21 Feb 2027Penumbral lunar eclipse
Best time to visitJan–Mar
The months with the highest weather score
Warmest month34°C
Average high in May
Coolest month23°C
Average low in December
Wettest monthAugust
121 mm of rain
Driest monthMarch
10 mm of rain
Warmest sea29°C
May
Monuments nearby7+
within 12 km
How Chennai has grown
People living in the built-up area (1,052 km² today), every five years since 1975; 2030 is the projection.
+126%5.08M in 1975 → 11.5M in 2025Weather in Chennai
Now and the next ten days. The 14 and 30-day outlooks are one click away.
26°C
Today hour by hourRain · wind 11 km/h · humidity 94%
Today22 Oct29°25°10.2 mm
Fri23 Oct29°25°11.5 mm
Sat24 Oct29°24°8.4 mm
Sun25 Oct28°24°19.6 mm
Mon26 Oct28°25°12.9 mm
Tue27 Oct32°24°
Wed28 Oct30°25°
Thu29 Oct32°26°
Fri30 Oct32°26°0.5 mm
Sat31 Oct30°26°1 mm
When to go to Chennai
Each month's weather score (warmth, sun, dry days) with its temperatures and rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 88 | 82 | 72 | 61 | 45 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 28 | 39 | 48 | 69 |
| High | 27° | 29° | 31° | 33° | 34° | 34° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 30° | 28° | 27° |
| Low | 22° | 23° | 24° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 24° | 23° |
| Rain (mm) | 31 | 21 | 10 | 18 | 53 | 63 | 90 | 121 | 132 | 302 | 366 | 166 |
| Wet days | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 9 |
| Sea | 27° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 27° |
What's on in Chennai
Concerts, football matches, the public holidays ahead and the town's festivals through the year.
Monuments and museums in Chennai
0.5 km
Chennai Central railway station
1.3 km
St. Mary's Church, Chennai
2.4 km
Royapuram railway station0.6 km
Southern Railway HeadquartersBuilt 19211 km
Madras Music SeasonBuilt 1928
8.6 km
Elphinstone Bridge, ChennaiBuilt 1840
Museum3 km
Government Museum, ChennaiBuilt 1851
Museum2.3 km
Tamil Nadu Police MuseumMore museums: Amma Museum · Chennai Lighthouse Museum · Dr. Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran Museum · India Post Philatelic Bureau · Madras High Court Museum · Mahakavi Subramania Bharati Memorial · Main Building · Vivekananda Heritage Museum
Outdoors around Chennai
Hiking routes from the town, and what there is to do within 15 km: huts, viewpoints, climbing, camping, ski areas and dive sites.
mvcViewpoints
1.5 kmBeasant Camping GroundCamp sites
1.7 kmMadras Gymkhana Club Golf AnnexeGolf courses
2.2 kmAnna Nagar TowerViewpoints
2.7 kmChennai Snake ParkZoos
3.2 kmChildren's Park, GuindyZoos
3.4 kmNature around Chennai
Wildlife in October
The birds and mammals of India seen most this month, compared with the rest of their year.
The sky over Chennai
Earthquakes around Chennai
The last 30 days within 300 km, and the record since 1950.
Strongest nearby since 1950
5.2Marakkanam 40 km ↘2001 · 126 km
Tsunamis · Chennai
0.2 m11 April 2012earthquake1.6 m26 December 2004earthquake5.6 m26 December 2004earthquake–4 January 1907earthquake2 m27 August 1883volcanic eruption0.1 m27 August 1883volcanic eruption0.3 m31 December 1881earthquake
TSTropical Storm Fengal (2024)91 km · 83 km/hC1Cyclone Michaung (2023)81 km · 102 km/hTSTropical Storm Mandous (2022)56 km · 65 km/hTSTropical Storm of 8 November 2021 (2021)65 km · 74 km/hC1Cyclone Nivar (2020)69 km · 74 km/hC2Cyclone Vardah (2016)41 km · 120 km/hTSTropical Storm Roanu (2016)100 km · 74 km/hTSTropical Storm Nilam (2012)67 km · 93 km/hTSTropical Storm Jal (2010)30 km · 65 km/hC1Cyclone of 26 November 1996 (1996)24 km · 83 km/hTSTropical Storm of 28 October 1994 (1994)23 km · 83 km/hTSTropical Storm of 9 December 1985 (1985)80 km · 83 km/hC2Cyclone of 9 November 1984 (1984)42 km · 157 km/hTSTropical Storm of 16 October 1982 (1982)72 km · 65 km/h
Ancient sites nearby
Sites: 1
Cities and settlements
Universities and research institutes
Madras Medical CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1835
Presidency CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1840
University of MadrasUniversity or college · founded 1857
Women's Christian CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1915
Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar SabhaUniversity or college · founded 1918
Loyola CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1925
Stanley Medical CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1938
Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1946
Hindustan Bible Institute & CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1952
Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and HospitalUniversity or college · founded 1953
Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and ResearchUniversity or college · founded 1956
Indian Institute of Technology MadrasUniversity or college · founded 1959
Government Kilpauk Medical CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1960
Goverment Siddha Medical CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1964
National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, ChennaiUniversity or college · founded 1964
Anna University, ChennaiUniversity or college · founded 1978
Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and HospitalUniversity or college · founded 1983
B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 1984
Bharath UniversityUniversity or college · founded 1984
Elite School of OptometryUniversity or college · founded 1985
Hindustan Institute of Technology and ScienceUniversity or college · founded 1985
SRM Institute of Science and TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 1985
Velammal Educational TrustUniversity or college · founded 1986
MEASI Institute of ManagementUniversity or college · founded 1987
Sathyabama Institute of Science and TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 1987
Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical UniversityUniversity or college · founded 1987
CPCL Polytechnic CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1988
Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research InstituteUniversity or college · founded 1988
Chennai Mathematical InstituteUniversity or college · founded 1989
Sree Balaji Dental College and HospitalUniversity or college · founded 1989
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityUniversity or college · founded 1989
Thai Moogambigai Dental College and HospitalUniversity or college · founded 1991
AMET UniversityUniversity or college · founded 1992
Vels UniversityUniversity or college · founded 1992
National Institute of Ocean TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 1993
St. Peter's Institute of Higher Education and ResearchUniversity or college · founded 1993
St. Joseph’s College of EngineeringUniversity or college · founded 1994
Jerusalem College of EngineeringUniversity or college · founded 1995
Sri Sairam Engineering CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1995
Easwari Engineering CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1996
SRM Dental CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1996
Sri Muthukumaran Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 1996
Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of EngineeringUniversity or college · founded 1996
Annai Violet Arts and Science CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1997
Mar Gregorios College of Arts and ScienceUniversity or college · founded 1997
Rajalakshmi Engineering CollegeUniversity or college · founded 1997
Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law UniversityUniversity or college · founded 1997
Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 1997
KCG College of TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 1998
Venkateswara Homoeopathic Medical College and HospitalUniversity or college · founded 2000
Jeppiaar Engineering CollegeUniversity or college · founded 2001
Patrician College of Arts and ScienceUniversity or college · founded 2001
R.M.D. Engineering CollegeUniversity or college · founded 2001
SSN Educational and Charitable TrustUniversity or college · founded 2001
Sri Sairam Ayurveda Medical College and Research CentreUniversity or college · founded 2001
T J Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 2001
Tamil Virtual AcademyUniversity or college · founded 2001
Mohamed Sathak AJ College of PhysiotherapyUniversity or college · founded 2002
Tamil Nadu Open UniversityUniversity or college · founded 2002
Great Lakes Institute of ManagementUniversity or college · founded 2004
L.V. Prasad Film & TV AcademyUniversity or college · founded 2005
Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports UniversityUniversity or college · founded 2005
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, KancheepuramUniversity or college · founded 2007
Chettinad Academy of Research and EducationUniversity or college · founded 2008
Indian Maritime UniversityUniversity or college · founded 2008
Saveetha UniversityUniversity or college · founded 2008
Tamil Nadu Teachers Education UniversityUniversity or college · founded 2008
St. Joseph's Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · founded 2011
Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research InstituteUniversity or college · founded 2017
Tagore College of PharmacyUniversity or college · founded 2019
Jeppiaar UniversityUniversity or college · founded 2022
Shiv Nadar University, ChennaiUniversity or college · founded 2022
ACS Medical College and HospitalUniversity or college
King Institute of Preventive Medicine and ResearchResearch institute · founded 1899
Central Leather Research InstituteResearch institute · founded 1948
National Institute of Research in TuberculosisResearch institute · founded 1956
Institute of Mathematical SciencesResearch institute · founded 1962
Structural Engineering Research CentreResearch institute · founded 1965
Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and TechnologyResearch institute · founded 1968
Madras Institute of Development StudiesResearch institute · founded 1971
Towns and villages around Chennai
Each with its own page: weather, climate and the best time to visit.
Mattews Railway Colony0.9 kmVepery1.2 kmSembiyam5.9 kmStudio Design5.9 kmKodangiyur6.1 kmAnna Nagar6.4 kmKuppam6.6 kmSelaivayal6.7 kmMettupalaiyam6.8 kmPonniammanmedu6.9 kmJambuli7.1 kmWest Mambalam7.9 kmKulattur7.9 kmMadhavaram Milk Colony8 kmNerkunram8 kmTiruvottiyur8.2 kmMadhavaram8.4 kmChinnasekkadu8.4 kmManali8.9 kmKattrivedu9.8 kmMathur9.8 kmManjambākkam10 kmKalaimagal Nagar11 kmSadaiyankuppam11 kmKalakshetra Colony11 kmWimco Nagar11 kmMettupalaiyam11 kmSūrappattu11 kmElandacheri11 kmKosappūr11 kmTiruvānmiyūr12 kmVadapurambākkam12 kmPuzhal12 kmEranavur12 kmKattivākkam15 km
Chennai from above
Around Chennai31 places to see, do and reach nearby
Guindy National ParkNature11 kmAdyar RiverNature8.4 kmChetput LakeNature4.2 kmCooum RiverNature0.7 kmKorattur aeriNature11 kmVillivakkam lakeNature9.1 kmMarina BeachNature3.8 kmEdward Elliot's BeachNature9.8 kmChennai Central railway stationMonument0.5 kmSt. Mary's Church, ChennaiMonument1.3 kmRoyapuram railway stationMonument2.4 kmSouthern Railway HeadquartersMonument0.6 kmMadras Music SeasonMonument0.9 kmElphinstone Bridge, ChennaiMonument8.6 kmBuckingham CanalMonument12 kmGovernment Museum, ChennaiMuseum3.0 kmTamil Nadu Police MuseumMuseum2.3 kmNational Art Gallery, ChennaiMuseum3.2 kmFort St. George MuseumMuseum1.3 kmBirla PlanetariumMuseum9.2 kmChennai CentralStation0.6 kmPuratchi Thalaivar Dr. M. G. Ramachandran CentralStation0.7 kmChennai FortStation0.7 kmChokani JettyFerry port2.5 kmCoal Berth 3Ferry port20 kmTiruvottiyurPlace8.2 kmAmbatturPlace13 kmMadhavaramPlace8.4 kmPallavaramPlace19 kmTambaramPlace24 kmSaint Thomas MountPlace13 km
Postal code
600001
Getting to Chennai
Chennai International AirportMAA
16 kmTirupati International AirportTIR
100 kmPondicherry AirportPNY
134 kmChennai CentralRailway station
0.6 kmPuratchi Thalaivar Dr. M. G. Ramachandran CentralRailway station
0.7 kmChennai FortRailway station
0.7 kmChokani JettyFerry port
2.5 kmCoal Berth 3Ferry port
20 kmPlaces near Chennai
Places with a climate like Chennai
Matched month by month on temperature, rain and sunshine.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
Based on 30-year climate normals, January, February and March offer the best balance of comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and sunshine in Chennai.
What is the hottest month in Chennai?
May is the warmest month, with average highs of 34°C and lows of 28°C.
What is the coldest month in Chennai?
December is the coldest month, with average highs of 27°C and lows of 23°C.
What is the rainiest month in Chennai?
August is the wettest month with about 121 mm of precipitation on 23 wet days.
How warm is the sea near Chennai?
The sea is warmest in May at about 29°C and coolest in January at about 27°C.
What is the postal code of Chennai?
The postal code of Chennai is 600001.