September ends on a wet note: Chandigarh records 92 per cent above-normal rainfall

September closed on a wetter-than-usual note for the Tricity, with Chandigarh recording 252.1 mm of rainfall, 92 per cent above the normal 131.4 mm for the month. This marks a significant increase from the 169.2 mm logged in September 2024, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The season’s rain surplus has lifted Chandigarh’s cumulative monsoon total to 1071.2 mm, nearly 27 per cent above normal. The wettest day of September was September 1, with 76.5 mm of rain, one of the heaviest single-day showers of the season.

Chandigarh’s highest maximum temperature this September was 37.0°C (September 30), while the lowest minimum was 21.6°C (September 3). The city’s average maximum temperature stood at 33.3°C, slightly lower than September 2024 (33.8°C), while the average minimum was 24.3°C, similar to long-term trends.

The Chandigarh airport observatory reported a September total of 210 mm of rainfall, with a maximum of 79.4 mm on September 1. On September 30, the Tricity experienced warm and dry conditions, with temperatures ranging from 23.9°C to 36.7°C in Chandigarh. Humidity ranged from 46 to 88 per cent, and no rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours.

In Mohali, the maximum temperature settled at 35.8°C, while the minimum was 25.5°C. Panchkula (falling under Haryana’s observatories) reported similar hot and humid conditions with no rainfall.

Forecast ahead

According to IMD, the next five days (October 1-5) are expected to have mainly clear skies, with day temperatures between 34-36°C and night temperatures between 23-25°C. The monsoon withdrawal from North India will bring dry and slightly warm conditions to the Tricity.

Why September was wetter this year

September 2025 turned out to be one of the rain-rich months of the past decade for Chandigarh.

Early-season burst: A strong start on September 1 with 76.5 mm rain

Frequent wet spells: A mix of monsoon trough activity and localised thunderstorms boosted totals

Cumulative impact: With 252.1 mm rain, this September ranks among the wettest in recent years, second only to 2018 when Chandigarh logged 319.4 mm rain.

Excess departure: The city ended with a 92 per cent surplus over normal, compared to just 29 per cent above normal in 2024.

Meteorologists say the excess rainfall has not only recharged water tables but also helped ease early-October temperatures, though the return of clear skies will mean warmer days ahead.