Chennai in January

November through March gives you Chennai's most bearable weather — daytime highs around 28-32°C and cool evenings perfect for beach walks. December and January are peak tourist season when hotel prices jump 30-50% but the weather stays pleasant. This is also when Chennai's cultural calendar explodes. The Music Season runs from mid-December to mid-January with 3,000+ classical concerts across the city. Book accommodations early during this period. April and May turn brutal with temperatures hitting 40°C and humidity that makes you sweat just thinking about leaving your hotel. But if you can handle the heat, this is when you'll find the best deals and empty tourist sites. The monsoon hits June through September with heavy rains that flood streets regularly. October brings the northeast monsoon — less intense but still wet. Chennai's beaches look best during the winter months when the sand isn't scorching and the sunsets paint the Bay of Bengal in brilliant oranges and pinks.