Climate and seasons
Kota weather in September: the monsoon winds down
Written by Kota Weather Editorial Team · Updated
Kota weather in September is the season changing again. The monsoon is still active at the start of the month, with heavy rain possible and the Chambal reservoirs often full, but rain becomes less frequent as the weeks go on. As the clouds thin, daytime heat returns, the air slowly dries and the first hints of the post-monsoon season appear. This guide uses the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Climatological Tables 1991-2020 for the Kota Airport observatory (station 42452) to describe a normal September.
These are long-term averages, not a forecast. For the next few days, see the Kota weather forecast page.
September at a glance: IMD climate tables
| Measure (Kota Airport) | August | September | October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean daily maximum | 32.2 C | 33.9 C | 34.6 C |
| Mean daily minimum | 25.8 C | 25.5 C | 22.3 C |
| Hottest day of the month (mean) | 35.6 C | 37.2 C | 37.3 C |
| Coolest night of the month (mean) | 23.6 C | 23.0 C | 18.0 C |
| Rainfall | 269.6 mm | 108.7 mm | 18.9 mm |
| Rainy days (2.5 mm or more) | 11.2 | 5.8 | 0.9 |
| Days with thunder | 5.3 | 2.5 | 0.4 |
| Relative humidity, 08:30 / 17:30 IST | 80% / 69% | 70% / 54% | 51% / 31% |
| Mean cloud cover, 08:30 / 17:30 IST | 5.8 / 6.2 oktas | 3.2 / 4.1 oktas | 1.2 / 1.6 oktas |
| Mean wind speed | 9.0 km/h | 7.0 km/h | 3.9 km/h |
Rainfall falls by about 60 percent from August to September, and the number of rainy days halves. The cloud cover drops sharply too, which is why the mean maximum climbs again even though the season is moving towards winter.
Early September: still the monsoon
The first half of September can feel like August: cloudy, humid, with spells of heavy rain when a monsoon system passes over central India. Because the Chambal dams upstream are usually at or near capacity by now, rain in the catchment can still lead to gate openings and a fast-rising river through Kota. Early September is therefore still part of the flood-watch season. Our Kota Barrage flood season guide explains what to watch and where to find official notices.
Thunder is recorded on about 2.5 days in an average September, so lightning safety still matters, especially for people working in fields or on rooftops. See Kota lightning safety.
Late September: drier, brighter and warmer
As the monsoon weakens, dry spells lengthen. With fewer clouds, the sun heats the wet ground and the air, and afternoons can feel hot and muggy. The mean of the highest maximum in September is 37.2 C, warmer than in August. The evening relative humidity falls to 54 percent on average, compared with 69 percent in August, and by the end of the month the mornings start to feel fresher.
IMD tracks the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon across India and announces it in its daily updates. Over Rajasthan the withdrawal begins in the west and moves east, so south-east Rajasthan, including Kota, is among the later parts of the state to see the monsoon leave. The date varies from year to year. Our Kota monsoon guide explains the whole season.
Health and home in September
- Mosquitoes. Standing water left by August rain is a breeding ground. Keep emptying coolers, pots and containers weekly, and use nets or repellent in the evening.
- Heat after rain. Humid heat on sunny days can be tiring. Drink water regularly and rest in the hottest hours.
- Damp and repairs. Use dry spells to air rooms, check roofs and walls for leaks and clear drains before any late rain.
Students, festivals and events
September is a busy month for coaching students who arrived in summer and are now settled into routines. Damp rooms and mosquitoes are the main weather issues; see Kota weather for students. Some festivals with lunar dates, such as Ganesh Chaturthi in many years, can fall in late August or September; outdoor events should still have a rain plan.
Visiting Kota in September
September is a shoulder month for travel. Early September carries more rain risk; late September is usually drier, with green countryside and fewer visitors than the winter season. Plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings, keep an eye on IMD warnings, and avoid river areas when dam releases are announced. See best time to visit Kota and Kota sightseeing by season.
How September varies from year to year
September is one of the most variable months in Kota. If the monsoon is still active, the first two weeks can bring rain totals well above the 108.7 mm normal, along with gate openings on the Chambal dams. If the monsoon has weakened early, the month can be mostly dry and hot, with afternoons in the mid- to high 30s. IMD’s tables count measurable rain on 8.1 days in an average September, but in practice these can be clustered in one wet week.
Because of this spread, plan September trips and events with two scenarios in mind:
- Wet September: keep indoor alternatives, avoid river areas when releases are announced and allow extra travel time.
- Dry September: plan outdoor time for mornings and evenings, carry water and expect humid heat in the afternoons.
The Kota rainfall guide shows how rain is spread across the year, and IMD’s rainfall categories explain what a heavy-rain warning means in millimetres.
September skies and humidity
September is a month of change in the station tables. Morning humidity averages 70 percent at 08:30 IST and 54 percent at 17:30 IST, well down from August, and the mean temperature is 28.2 C in the morning and 32.0 C in the evening. Cloud thins as the month goes on: there are about 9 cloudless mornings in an average September, against just 1 in August, though afternoons still cloud over on most days. See Kota cloud cover and Kota weather by time of day.
Kota’s monsoon ends earlier than in eastern India. Patna averages 209.7 mm of rain in September, nearly double Kota’s 108.7 mm; see Kota vs Patna weather.
Related guides
- Kota weather in August for the month before
- Kota weather in October for the month after
- Kota rainfall for rain across the year
- Kota weather by month
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain in Kota in September?
Yes, but less than in July and August. The 1991-2020 normal at Kota Airport is 108.7 mm on 5.8 rainy days (2.5 mm or more), with most of it usually in the first half of the month.
Is September hot in Kota?
It is warm and often humid. The mean maximum is 33.9 C and the hottest day of an average September reaches about 37.2 C. Sunny breaks after rain can feel muggy.
When does the monsoon leave Kota?
The monsoon withdraws from west Rajasthan first and from south-east Rajasthan later, usually from late September into early October. The exact timing varies each year; IMD announces withdrawal in its daily monsoon updates.
Is September a good month to visit Kota?
It is a shoulder month: green landscapes, fewer crowds and some rain risk. Late September is usually drier than early September. Check IMD warnings and river notices before trips near the Chambal.
Sources
Editorial team, Kota
The Kota Weather team writes from Kota and builds every guide on official IMD climate data, with sources listed on each page.
