Northeast Monsoon in India: Quick Answer
The northeast monsoon (also called the winter monsoon or the rain of the retreating monsoon season) brings rain to south-east India from October to December. After the southwest monsoon withdraws, winds over the Bay of Bengal turn north-easterly, pick up moisture over the sea and shed it on the Coromandel coast. IMD says south peninsular India gets about 30% of its annual rainfall in this season, and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal get about 48%, which is why Chennai's main rainy season is in October–December, not July.
Key exam takeaway: Southwest monsoon = June–September, rains most of India, but Tamil Nadu lies in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats. Northeast monsoon = October–December, rains Tamil Nadu and nearby areas. The same period is the peak season for Bay of Bengal cyclones.
As of 7 November 2026: IMD's outlook (30 September 2026) put October–December rainfall over south peninsular India in the "normal" range (88–112% of the LPA of about 334.1 mm). By 4 November, the south peninsula had received 140.2 mm against a normal of 171.5 mm (−18%), as per IMD's weekly press release.
This page goes deeper on one row of the season table in Indian Climate Notes for SSC. Read that page first for the four seasons and the monsoon mechanism.
The Four Seasons of India (Where the Northeast Monsoon Fits)
| Season | Months | Main feature |
|---|---|---|
| Cold weather season | December–February | Clear skies; western disturbances bring rain and snow to the north-west |
| Hot weather season | March–May | Rising heat; loo; pre-monsoon showers such as mango showers |
| Southwest monsoon season | June–September | Main rainy season for most of India |
| Retreating monsoon / post-monsoon | October–December | Southwest monsoon withdraws; northeast monsoon rains Tamil Nadu and nearby areas; "October heat" |
How the Northeast Monsoon Works (Step by Step)
- Sun moves south: after the September equinox, the overhead sun shifts towards the southern hemisphere and the land in north India starts cooling.
- Low-pressure trough weakens: the monsoon trough over the north Indian plains weakens and shifts south; the southwest monsoon starts to withdraw, beginning from west Rajasthan (in 2026, IMD recorded withdrawal starting on 19 September).
- Winds reverse: high pressure builds over the cooler north and Central Asia, and the low-level winds over the Bay of Bengal turn north-easterly.
- Moisture pick-up: these winds are dry over land, but over the Bay of Bengal they pick up moisture.
- Rain on the Coromandel coast: NCERT notes that in October and November these winds, after crossing the Bay of Bengal, give torrential rain over the Tamil Nadu coast, southern Andhra Pradesh, south-east Karnataka and south-east Kerala. Low-pressure systems and cyclones moving in from the Bay add heavy spells.
Why does Tamil Nadu stay dry in June–August?
During the southwest monsoon the moist winds come from the south-west. NCERT gives two reasons: (1) the Tamil Nadu coast lies parallel to the Bay of Bengal branch of the southwest monsoon, so those winds blow along it rather than onto it; and (2) it lies in the rain-shadow area of the Arabian Sea branch, which drops its rain on the windward side of the Western Ghats. So Tamil Nadu depends heavily on October–December rain.
What is "October heat"?
In October the skies clear after the rains, but the ground is still wet and humid. High temperature plus high humidity makes the weather oppressive; NCERT calls this "October heat". In the second half of October temperatures start falling fast, especially in north India.
The Five IMD Subdivisions of the Northeast Monsoon
IMD issues its northeast monsoon outlook for south peninsular India, made up of five meteorological subdivisions:
| No. | IMD subdivision |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal |
| 2 | Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam |
| 3 | Rayalaseema |
| 4 | Kerala and Mahe |
| 5 | South Interior Karnataka |
Quick fact: Yanam, Karaikal and Mahe are parts of the Union Territory of Puducherry that lie inside Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively.
Northeast Monsoon 2026: Official Figures (As of 7 November 2026)
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Share of annual rain in this season, south peninsula | About 30% | IMD OND outlook, 30.09.2026 |
| Share for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal | About 48% | IMD OND outlook, 30.09.2026 |
| LPA for October–December, south peninsula (1971–2020) | About 334.1 mm | IMD OND outlook, 30.09.2026 |
| 2026 seasonal forecast | Normal (88–112% of LPA) | IMD OND outlook, 30.09.2026 |
| October 2026 LPA, country as a whole | About 75.4 mm; forecast below normal (under 85%) | IMD OND outlook |
| South peninsula rain, 1 October–4 November 2026 | 140.2 mm against 171.5 mm normal (−18%) | IMD press release, 05.11.2026 |
| Cyclones so far in the season | Arnab (landfall 28 October), Murasu (landfall 3 November), both in Andhra Pradesh | IMD press releases |
| ENSO / IOD | Very strong El Niño; neutral IOD | IMD press release, 05.11.2026 |
IMD has issued seasonal forecasts for the south peninsula's northeast monsoon since 1998. For how El Niño and the IOD affect Indian rainfall, see El Niño, La Niña and IOD.
Southwest vs Northeast Monsoon: Difference Table
| Point | Southwest monsoon | Northeast monsoon |
|---|---|---|
| Period | June–September | October–December |
| Wind direction | South-west (sea to land) | North-east (land to sea, then across the Bay of Bengal) |
| Share of India's annual rain | The bulk of the country's rain | Mainly the south peninsula |
| Most-benefited areas | Western Ghats, Northeast, central India, Indo-Gangetic plain | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Kerala, south interior Karnataka |
| Rain-shadow side | East of the Western Ghats (interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) | West coast gets relatively less |
| Linked storms | Monsoon depressions over the north Bay | Post-monsoon cyclones (peak in November) |
| Crops supported | Kharif crops | Post-monsoon and rabi-season farming in the south peninsula |
The crop link is explained in Kharif, Rabi and Zaid crops list.
Northeast Monsoon: 10 Practice MCQs
Q1. Which state receives about 48% of its annual rainfall during the northeast monsoon (along with Puducherry and Karaikal)? (a) Kerala (b) Karnataka (c) Tamil Nadu (d) Odisha Answer: (c).
Q2. The northeast monsoon season is: (a) March–May (b) June–September (c) October–December (d) January–February Answer: (c).
Q3. Most of Tamil Nadu gets little rain from the southwest monsoon because it lies in the rain shadow of the: (a) Eastern Ghats (b) Western Ghats (c) Vindhyas (d) Aravallis Answer: (b).
Q4. Which is NOT one of IMD's five northeast monsoon subdivisions? (a) Rayalaseema (b) South Interior Karnataka (c) Kerala and Mahe (d) Konkan and Goa Answer: (d).
Q5. The oppressive hot and humid weather after the withdrawal of the monsoon is called: (a) Loo (b) Mango shower (c) October heat (d) Kalbaisakhi Answer: (c).
Q6. As per IMD, the LPA of October–December rainfall over south peninsular India is about: (a) 87 mm (b) 334 mm (c) 868 mm (d) 1,200 mm Answer: (b). 334.1 mm (1971–2020).
Q7. The northeast monsoon winds become rain-bearing because they cross the: (a) Arabian Sea (b) Bay of Bengal (c) Thar desert (d) Deccan plateau Answer: (b).
Q8. The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon begins from: (a) Kerala (b) Assam (c) West Rajasthan (d) Tamil Nadu Answer: (c). In 2026 it began on 19 September (IMD).
Q9. Coromandel coast refers to the coast of: (a) Gujarat (b) Tamil Nadu (c) West Bengal (d) Karnataka Answer: (b).
Q10. Which months see the primary peak of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, adding to northeast monsoon rain? (a) January (b) April (c) July (d) November Answer: (d).
Test yourself under time: SSC CGL geography mock test 01 and SSC CHSL geography mock test 02.
Northeast Monsoon FAQs
Why is the northeast monsoon called the winter monsoon?
Because it comes in October–December, after the summer (southwest) monsoon withdraws, when the winds reverse and blow from the north-east.
Which areas get rain from the northeast monsoon?
Mainly Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema, Kerala and Mahe, and south interior Karnataka, the five subdivisions IMD forecasts for.
Is the retreating monsoon the same as the northeast monsoon?
The retreating monsoon is the period (October–November) when the southwest monsoon withdraws. The northeast monsoon is the rainfall over south-east India during October–December that comes with the reversed north-easterly winds. In school geography they are taught together.
What was IMD's forecast for the northeast monsoon 2026?
On 30 September 2026, IMD said October–December rainfall over south peninsular India would most likely be normal, at 88–112% of the LPA of about 334.1 mm.
Does El Niño affect the northeast monsoon?
Yes, ENSO is one of the drivers IMD watches for both monsoons. In its 2026 outlook IMD noted strong El Niño and neutral IOD conditions while forecasting normal northeast monsoon rain for the south peninsula.
Practice Next for Indian Geography
- Core notes: Indian Climate Notes for SSC
- Related: Cyclones in India: IMD categories and names, Indian climate MCQs for SSC
- Also read: Important lakes in India, Mountain passes of India
- Mocks: SSC CGL geography mock test 02, SSC GD geography mock test 01
Sources: NCERT Class 11, India: Physical Environment, Chapter 4 Climate; IMD, Seasonal outlook for the post-monsoon season 2026 (30.09.2026); IMD extended range press release, 05.11.2026; IMD, Salient Features of the 2026 Southwest Monsoon. Last checked 7 November 2026.