The short answer
When to go to Kohima
December to February is Kohima's best season, coinciding with the Hornbill Festival, with comfortable, mostly dry weather; October to November also offers clear skies. March to May stays pleasant before the rains build. June to September brings a heavy monsoon that turns the town's steep, stepped lanes slippery and uncomfortable, which is best avoided given Kohima's hilly terrain. A car and driver for the day is worth arranging throughout, since walking between sights involves real climbing.
Month by month
Kohima weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C | 5°C | 12 mm | Cool, dry and comfortable; good for the War Cemetery | |
| February | 19°C | 7°C | 28 mm | Dry and pleasant; leads into the Hornbill Festival season | |
| March | 24°C | 11°C | 49 mm | Mild and mostly dry; a favoured month to visit | |
| April | 25°C | 13°C | 100 mm | Warm and mostly dry; skies generally clear | |
| May | 25°C | 15°C | 188 mm | Rain increases; still workable with an early start | |
| June | 26°C | 17°C | 248 mm | Heavy monsoon rain sets in on the steep town lanes | |
| July | 26°C | 17°C | 335 mm | Peak monsoon; slippery streets, best avoided | |
| August | 26°C | 17°C | 344 mm | Continued heavy rain through the month | |
| September | 26°C | 16°C | 268 mm | Rain still frequent; humidity stays high | |
| October | 24°C | 14°C | 125 mm | Rain easing; clear autumn skies return | |
| November | 22°C | 9°C | 23 mm | Dry and comfortable; the Hornbill Festival takes place nearby | |
| December | 17°C | 5°C | 6 mm | Cool and dry; excellent visiting conditions continue |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Kohima seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: January, February, November and December
- January: Cool, dry and comfortable; good for the War Cemetery
- February: Dry and pleasant; leads into the Hornbill Festival season
- November: Dry and comfortable; the Hornbill Festival takes place nearby
- December: Cool and dry; excellent visiting conditions continue
Good, with small trade-offs: March, April and October
- March: Mild and mostly dry; a favoured month to visit
- April: Warm and mostly dry; skies generally clear
- October: Rain easing; clear autumn skies return
Possible, with planning: May
- May: Rain increases; still workable with an early start
Best avoided with parents or children: June, July, August and September
- June: Heavy monsoon rain sets in on the steep town lanes
- July: Peak monsoon; slippery streets, best avoided
- August: Continued heavy rain through the month
- September: Rain still frequent; humidity stays high
Useful answers
Best time to visit Kohima: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Kohima?
January, February, November and December are the best months to visit Kohima, with March, April and October also good. December to February is Kohima's best season, coinciding with the Hornbill Festival, with comfortable, mostly dry weather; October to November also offers clear skies. March to May stays pleasant before the rains build. June to September brings a heavy monsoon that turns the town's steep, stepped lanes slippery and uncomfortable, which is best avoided given Kohima's hilly terrain. A car and driver for the day is worth arranging throughout, since walking between sights involves real climbing.
Which months should I avoid in Kohima with elderly parents?
June, July, August and September are the months to avoid with older travellers. Heavy monsoon rain sets in on the steep town lanes Peak monsoon; slippery streets, best avoided
When does it rain most in Kohima?
August is the wettest month, with about 344 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is August, with average highs around 26°C.