Southwest Monsoon sets in over Kerala 8 days before normal date of June 1: IMD

Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today (24th May, 2025), against the normal date of June 1. Thus, southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala almost eight days before the normal date. This is the earliest date of monsoon onset over Kerala after the year 2009 when it was set in over Kerala on 23rd May 2009.

The early onset is notable, as it is the earliest the monsoon has arrived in the state since 2009, when it made onset on May 23. The early arrival this year has sparked interest among meteorologists and the public alike, especially considering the monsoon’s critical role in India’s agriculture and water resources.

According to historical data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon reached Kerala on varying dates over the past few years—May 30 in 2024, June 8 in 2023, May 29 in 2022, June 3 in 2021, June 1 in 2020, June 8 in 2019, and May 29 in 2018. These fluctuations underline the variable nature of monsoon onset in the region.

However, weather experts caution against drawing conclusions solely based on the onset date in Kerala. An early or delayed arrival in the southern state doesn’t guarantee a corresponding pattern across the rest of the country. 

The Indian monsoon is influenced by a wide range of factors, including global climate patterns, regional atmospheric conditions, and localized weather systems. As such, its behaviour is often unpredictable and marked by significant variability.

In its seasonal forecast released in April, the IMD predicted above-normal cumulative rainfall for the 2025 monsoon season. Encouragingly, the forecast also ruled out the presence of El Niño conditions, which are typically linked to weakened monsoon activity and reduced rainfall over the Indian subcontinent.

While the early onset is a promising sign, meteorologists emphasize the need for continued observation, as the overall distribution and intensity of rainfall over the coming months will determine the true impact of this year's monsoon.