Chandigarh: July ends with 10% excess rain, wettest in 3 years

Though dry conditions were witnessed mid-month, the rain at the start and end of the month turned the tide

City Beautiful recorded 300.6 mm rain this July, 10% above the normal of 273.2 mm for the month, making it the city’s wettest July since 2023, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul said though there was a dry spell in the middle of the month, the monsoon system was strong in the beginning and end of the month, which pushed the monthly average above normal. (Keshav Singh/HT)

In July 2023, the city logged 760.7 mm rain, breaking multiple records.

With the monsoon system remaining strong, IMD officials said residents can expect heavy rains till August 5.

IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul said though there was a dry spell in the middle of the month, the monsoon system was strong in the beginning and end of the month, which pushed the monthly average above normal.

Coldest July in 15 years

At 25.6°C, the city’s average minimum temperature for the month was also the lowest since 2011, when the IMD started keeping records at the Sector 39 observatory. IMD officials said the dry conditions mid-month, which essentially meant clearer skies, helped keep the temperatures low. They explained that cloudy conditions keep the minimum temperature from dropping too low at night.

On Friday, the city recorded a high of 33.8°C and low of 26°C, both normal. Over the next three days, the maximum temperature will remain around 34°C while the minimum will remain around 24°C.