Goa’s Monsoon May Arrive Late This Year – Here’s What We Know
By Samiccha Malik
Goa, 3rd June 2026: If you’ve been watching the skies over Goa and wondering where the rain is, you’re not alone. The southwest monsoon is likely to see a delayed onset in Goa this year, with weather officials indicating the seasonal rains may arrive later than the state’s normal onset date of June 5.
The reason? A sluggish start out at sea. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon’s advance over the Arabian Sea has slowed due to weak rain-bearing systems and unfavourable conditions, affecting its northward progression along the west coast.
The delay actually began further south. India’s southwest monsoon has faced repeated postponements this season, the IMD had initially predicted the monsoon would arrive in Kerala on May 26, earlier than its normal onset date of June 1. The forecast was then shifted to May 28, then to around June 1, and has since been revised again, with Kerala unlikely to see onset before June 3. The primary culprit, according to meteorologists, has been the absence of sufficiently strong westerly winds over the Arabian Sea.
As of now, the IMD has projected the southwest monsoon will set in over Kerala around June 4. And since Goa’s monsoon typically follows Kerala’s by about a week, meteorologists believe the arrival of monsoon rains in Goa could be pushed back by several days beyond its usual date.
The broader picture isn’t particularly reassuring either. The IMD has lowered its forecast for the June–September monsoon season, with the Director General of Meteorology stating that seasonal rainfall over the monsoon core zone which covers most of India’s rainfed agricultural areas is most likely to be below normal, below 94% of the long-period average. June rainfall across the country as a whole is also expected to remain below normal.
Adding to the concern is a looming El Niño. Meteorological agencies in India and abroad have warned of a high probability of an El Niño event developing later this year, with conditions expected to emerge between September 2026 and February 2027. Such conditions often result in below-normal rainfall in India, particularly during August, September, and November.
For Goans, the monsoon isn’t just a weather event it’s a reset. It cools the scorching pre-monsoon heat, fills the rivers and wells, and signals the quieter, greener half of the year. A delay of even a few days is felt across agriculture, water supply, and the rhythms of daily life. For now, the wait continues but the rain is coming. Just not quite yet.
