How rainfall and climate vary across Andhra Pradesh's coastal and interior regions.
Andhra Pradesh receives rainfall from both the Southwest Monsoon (June-September) and the Northeast Monsoon (October-December) — unlike much of India, which relies almost entirely on the Southwest Monsoon. This dual monsoon influence is a distinctive feature of AP's (and broader South Indian coastal) climate.
Coastal Andhra receives relatively higher and more reliable rainfall from both monsoons, while Rayalaseema, being located in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats (despite not being directly part of them), is one of the more drought-prone regions of South India, receiving comparatively low and unreliable rainfall.
AP experiences a tropical climate, with hot summers (particularly in the interior Rayalaseema region) and relatively moderated coastal temperatures due to sea influence. Cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal periodically affect the coastal districts, particularly during the October-December period.
The broader mechanism of the Indian monsoon system is covered in our UPSC Geography — Indian Climate & Monsoon notes; this page focuses on AP's specific rainfall patterns.
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