Chandigarh: August ended on an unusual weather note for Chandigarh, with the city recording its highest average maximum temperature in six years and its lowest average minimum temperature in 16 years. The month was also relatively drier, with rainfall 13% below normal, the lowest August rainfall recorded in the past four years.According to the Chandigarh monthly weather report for August, the city recorded an average maximum temperature of 34.5°C, the highest since 2020. It was also higher than the average maximum of 34.3°C recorded in 2024 and 33.1°C in 2025. Compared to last year, the average maximum temperature was 1.4°C higher.In contrast, the average minimum temperature stood at 25.2°C, the lowest for an August since at least 2011, according to the data available in the report. It was slightly lower than 25.4°C recorded in August 2025 and significantly below the 27°C recorded in 2020.During the month, the highest maximum temperature touched 36.6°C, while the lowest maximum settled at 29.4°C. The highest minimum temperature recorded was 27.4°C, while the lowest dipped to 23.2°C.Rainfall remained below normal. Chandigarh received 249.2 mm of rain between August 1 and 31 against the normal 284.8 mm, resulting in a deficit of 13%. Despite the shortfall, the India Meteorological Department classified the month’s rainfall as “normal”.The city received considerably less rain than the 308.5 mm recorded in August 2025. However, this year was wetter than several recent Augusts, including 2022, when rainfall stood at 166.9 mm, and 2021, when it was 160.2 mm. The wettest August in the recent period remains 2020, when Chandigarh received 373.2 mm of rainfall.The month’s weather highlighted a sharp contrast between daytime and nighttime conditions. While afternoons remained warmer than in most recent years, nights were comparatively cooler, resulting in a wider day-night temperature range.Despite the relatively cooler nights and below-normal rainfall, residents continued to grapple with high humidity levels, which crossed 90% on several days during the month, adding to discomfort and making conditions feel warmer than the actual temperatures.
