Kerala enjoys a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by high temperatures and significant humidity year-round. Under the Köppen climate classification, the majority of the state falls under Tropical Monsoon (Am), while some eastern highland areas feature a Tropical Wet and Dry (Aw) or even Subtropical Highland climate (Cwb).
The state experiences two main monsoon seasons. The Southwest Monsoon (Edavappathy) strikes between June and September, bringing the bulk of the state's heavy annual rainfall, which averages around 2,900 mm (114 inches). The Northeast Monsoon (Thulavarsham) brings shorter, intense evening showers accompanied by thunderstorms in October and November.
Average temperatures range from 28°C to 32°C (82°F to 90°F) in the plains, while the hill stations in the Western Ghats can drop down to 10°C (50°F) or lower in winter. The best time to visit the region is generally from September to March, when the weather is cooler and the skies are clear.