Best Time to Visit Meghalaya (2026): Month-by-Month Weather & Seasons
Meghalaya is pleasant all year because of its height, but rain decides the trip. October to April is dry, clear and best for sightseeing, treks and Dawki's clear river. June to September is one of the wettest monsoons on earth: the waterfalls are spectacular, but views and treks suffer.
- Best time
- October to April
- Peak season
- October to December, and the March–May holidays
- Quieter months
- February, and late September
- Avoid
- Late June to August if you dislike heavy rain
Seasons in Meghalaya
Autumn · October–November
Clear skies after the monsoon, waterfalls still full, cherry blossoms in Shillong in November. The best all-round time.
Winter · December–February
Cool and dry: about 4–15 °C in Shillong. Umngot river at Dawki is at its clearest. Waterfalls are thinner.
Spring · March–May
Warm days and flowering trees; good for treks and the living root bridges. Occasional pre-monsoon storms in May.
Monsoon · June–September
Very heavy rain, especially around Cherrapunji and Mawsynram. Waterfalls at their biggest, but fog, slippery steps and landslides.
Meghalaya weather month by month
Typical daytime temperatures for Shillong (about 1,500 m); they vary year to year.
| Month | Temp | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January Coldest month; clear skies, Dawki crystal clear | 4–15 °C | Dry | Good | Coldest month; clear skies, Dawki crystal clear |
| February Dry and quiet; great for treks | 6–17 °C | Dry | Best | Dry and quiet; great for treks |
| March Warm days; flowering trees | 10–21 °C | Some rain | Best | Warm days; flowering trees |
| April Pleasant; root bridge treks | 13–24 °C | Some rain | Best | Pleasant; root bridge treks |
| May Pre-monsoon showers begin | 15–24 °C | Wet | Good | Pre-monsoon showers begin |
| June Monsoon arrives; waterfalls swell | 17–24 °C | Very wet | Okay | Monsoon arrives; waterfalls swell |
| July Heaviest rain; fog and slippery trails | 18–24 °C | Very wet | Avoid | Heaviest rain; fog and slippery trails |
| August Very wet; landslides possible | 18–24 °C | Very wet | Avoid | Very wet; landslides possible |
| September Rain easing; lush and green | 17–23 °C | Wet | Okay | Rain easing; lush and green |
| October Clear skies, full waterfalls | 13–22 °C | Some rain | Best | Clear skies, full waterfalls |
| November Cherry blossoms; Shillong festivals | 9–19 °C | Dry | Best | Cherry blossoms; Shillong festivals |
| December Cool and dry; Christmas in Shillong | 5–16 °C | Dry | Good | Cool and dry; Christmas in Shillong |
Festivals
- Shad Suk Mynsiem (Khasi spring dance)April
- Behdienkhlam (Jowai)July
- Wangala (Garo harvest)November
- Shillong Cherry Blossom FestivalNovember
- Nongkrem Dance (Smit)October–November
Tips
- Carry a light rain jacket in any month; showers can come suddenly.
- For the Double Decker root bridge trek, avoid July–August when the 3,500 steps are slippery.
- Dawki's 'floating boats' look is clearest from November to March.
Plan Meghalaya for the right season
Tell us your dates and we'll suggest the best route, stays and permits for that time of year.
Meghalaya: frequently asked questions
Which is the best month to visit Meghalaya?+
October and November are the best overall: clear skies, comfortable temperatures and waterfalls still full after the monsoon. March and April are also excellent.
Is Meghalaya good to visit in the monsoon?+
Yes, if you want to see the waterfalls at their most dramatic, but expect heavy rain, fog and some road or trek closures from June to September.
How cold is Meghalaya in winter?+
In Shillong, December to February is about 4–15 °C, colder at night. It rarely snows.
When is Dawki's water clearest?+
From about November to April, in the dry season.