Best Time to Visit Meghalaya: A Month by Month Weather and Road Guide
The best time to visit Meghalaya is between October and April, when the rainfall is significantly reduced, the skies are clear and the roads to Sohra, Dawki and Mawlynnong are the most reliable.
November is the best month. A first trip in June to August is not advisable, due to frequent hill road closures during the wet season.
- Best Season: Late October to November
- Clearest Dawki river: November to February
- Waterfalls at full power: July to September
- Coldest, driest and sunniest: December to February
- Avoid on a first trip: June to August
Meghalaya Weather at a Glance
Below are the India Meteorological Department (IMD) average values for rainy days and temperatures for Shillong, 1991-2020. Sohra and Mawsynram are far wetter; see the next section.
| Month | Shillong day / night (°C) | Rainy days | Road outlook | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15 / 6 | 2 | Very good | Clear views, quiet trips |
| February | 18 / 8 | 2 | Very good | Root bridge treks, Dawki |
| March | 21 / 11 | 4 | Good | Fewer crowds, mild days |
| April | 23 / 14 | 10 | Good, storms begin | Shad Suk Mynsiem festival |
| May | 24 / 16 | 16 | Fair | Short Shillong-based trips |
| June | 24 / 17 | 18 | Poor | Monsoon travellers only |
| July | 24 / 18 | 17 | Poor | Waterfalls, Behdienkhlam |
| August | 24 / 18 | 17 | Poor | Waterfalls at peak |
| September | 24 / 17 | 15 | Fair, improving | Green hills, strong falls |
| October | 22 / 14 | 8 | Good from mid-month | Clear skies with waterfalls |
| November | 19 / 10 | 2 | Very good | Everything, festivals |
| December | 16 / 7 | 1 | Very good | Christmas, driest weather |
Shillong Weather and Sohra Weather Are Not the Same
Most tour books consider the weather in Meghalaya as uniform, but that is not the case. Shillong has an average annual rainfall of 2,100 mm.
Sohra (Cherrapunji), which lies just 55 km from Shillong at the southern edge of the plateau, has an annual average rainfall of 11,600 mm of which nearly all the rainfall occurs during the period of March to October.
During the month of May, the average is approximately 245 mm while that of Mawsynram is well over 1,400 mm.
In reality, a pleasant April or May day in Shillong can be a disaster at Sohra, Mawsynram or the root bridge villages. If you are travelling during the shoulder months, try and make the Sohra day a flexible one and change it to the clearest day of your vacation.
Month by Month Guide
January
The coldest month. Packing winter layers is important, as Shillong has an average low of 6°C at night and sub-zero temperatures have been recorded. This is a good month for viewpoints such as Laitlum because there is little to no rain and the air is clear.
Waterfalls run thin, but Dawki is at its clearest. Meghalaya in winter is quiet outside the Christmas and New Year week.
February
Dry month with a bit warmer climate. It is one of the best months to visit the Nongriat double decker root bridge trek as the weather is dry, and Dawki is still glass-clear.
A great month for those looking for winter views without cold nights.
March
The temperature rises to around 21°C and the vegetation begins to green up once more. A few rains occur, most of which are brief showers. With fewer crowds, the month favors leisurely travel and couple tours. The water in Dawki is still clean.
April
The pre-monsoon storms hit, leading to about 10 days of rain in Shillong and much more for the Sohra area. Book Dawki at the start of the month when the water is still clean.
The April festival of Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, which is the Khasi thanksgiving dance, is organised at Weiking Ground in Shillong.
May
Rain has nearly doubled and the Sohra belt is already wet. Brief tours from Shillong can still take place, but complete circuits become difficult. Dawki starts losing its clarity as the river picks up sediment.
June
The monsoon sets in and June is Shillong's wettest month. The primary planning hazard is landslides.
In June 2026, the Shillong-Dawki road was closed indefinitely following a major landslide near Laitlyngkot; at the same time, Mawsynram received rainfall of more than 500 mm in just one day. Dawki boating is usually suspended or restricted.
July
Heavy rain still occurs and Shillong only gets 3 hours of sunshine each day. This is the time when photographers flock to waterfalls like Nohkalikai and Seven Sisters as they are at their peak.
The steps to Nongriat get slippery. In July, the Pnar festival known as Behdienkhlam is celebrated in Jowai.
August
Waterfalls stay at their most powerful and the hills are at their greenest, but roads remain unreliable. Plan on adding one buffer day if you plan to visit in August, and Dawki remains optional.
September
The month brings some relief from the rain. September is the perfect time for monsoon fans: the monsoons are still active, but the number of road closures decreases. Dawki is still cloudy.
October
October is considered to be a perfect month but rain is frequent during the first half of the month, with Shillong having about eight rainy days in the month.
The second half is much better: waterfalls are still full, skies open up and Dawki clears quickly. From here, the accommodation begins filling up.
November
The best all-round month. Rain practically ceases, visibility is good and waterfalls continue to flow and Dawki is clear.
Shillong's cherry trees bloom in autumn, not spring, and the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 will be celebrated on 20th and 21st November at New Shillong Highland Grounds, Mahmawdkuk.
Wangala harvest festival of the Garo community is celebrated in the second week of November as the 100 Drums Festival at Asanang village near Tura, while the Nongkrem Dance is also performed at Smit in that season.
Early booking advised.
December
The driest and sunniest month when night temperature is around 7°C. Christmas time in Shillong means big celebration time and the last week of December will be buzzing with activities. Dawki is still clear and all road routes are in best condition.
Meghalaya Road Conditions by Season
The condition of the roads plays a greater role in deciding the best time to visit Meghalaya than the weather. There are three important routes.
Guwahati to Shillong: About 100 km long and usually 2.5 to 3 hours, the route has seen flash floods on the Assam-Meghalaya border near Jorabat due to heavy rains. The stretch from Jorabat to Byrnihat has faced fresh disruption in August 2026.
During the monsoons, allow ample time for flying back from Guwahati.
Shillong to Dawki: This corridor is being widened and the stretches near Pynursla, Laitlyngkot and Lyngkyrdem are vulnerable to landslides and short-notice traffic restrictions during the rains.
In case of closure of the route, the detours are either via Sohra and Sohbar or via Jowai and Amlarem. From November to March, driving becomes the easiest.
Sohra and the Nongriat trail: Walking to the double decker root bridge entails walking down 3,000-3,500 steps from Tyrna and then climbing up.
On dry winter days, it is a tiring but steady trek. In the monsoon, the same steps are wet and slippery, so plan it between November and March.
Dawki River Clarity by Month
Umngot river in Dawki is most clear between November and February when water is calm enough to make boats seem like they are floating.
Water remains clear through March and April, gets slightly cloudy in May, and from June to September it is muddy due to heavy rainfall, and no boating is allowed.
It becomes clear again from October. Early morning will be the best time to visit.
Best Time to Visit Meghalaya by Travel Style
| If you want | Go in |
|---|---|
| A first trip covering Shillong, Sohra and Dawki | Late October to November |
| Clear Dawki photos | November to February |
| Waterfalls at full power | July to September, with buffer days |
| The Nongriat root bridge trek | November to March |
| Festivals | November, April or July |
| Fewer crowds | February and March |
If you are planning a first trip in the dry season, our Shillong Meghalaya package tour covers the main circuit in 4 nights and 5 days from Guwahati.
Travellers who also want a Kamakhya Temple visit in Guwahati can look at the Shillong Cherrapunji Meghalaya Kamakhya package tour from Guwahati.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best month to visit Meghalaya?
November. Rain almost stops, roads are reliable, waterfalls still carry water and the Dawki river is clear. It is also festival month, with the Cherry Blossom Festival, Wangala and Nongkrem.
Is it safe to visit Meghalaya in monsoon?
Yes, if you plan for disruption. Landslides can close roads such as Shillong to Dawki for days, so keep a buffer day, avoid tight flight connections and treat Dawki as optional. The reward is waterfalls at their most dramatic.
When is the Dawki river clearest?
From November to February, with good clarity continuing into March and April. During the monsoon the river turns murky and boating is usually suspended.
Does it snow in Meghalaya?
No. Meghalaya does not get regular snowfall. Shillong has occasionally recorded sub-zero nights between November and February, so frost is possible, but snow is not something to plan a trip around.
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Shillong?
In November. Shillong's cherry trees flower in autumn, which is why the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is held in November rather than in spring.
Is Meghalaya good to visit in December?
Very. December is Meghalaya's driest and sunniest month, the roads are at their best and Shillong is festive around Christmas. Carry warm clothes for cold nights.