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Usual weather in Sri Lanka

Do you need to know, when is the best time to go to Sri Lanka? Then you should take a look here, what weather you can expect there during the year.

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What weather to expect in Sri Lanka

The climate of Sri Lanka is tropical monsoon. There is northeast monsoon from December to March, and southwest monsoon from June to October. You can generally expect hot and wet weather, but it is milder in the central highlands.

When speaking about the usual weather in this state, the information is relevant for example for these popular places: Ahangama, Anuradhapura, Arugam Bay, Badulla, Balapitiya, Bandarawela, Batticaloa, Bentota, Beragala, Beruwela, Central Province, Colombo, Dambulla, Eastern Province, Ella, Galle, Gampaha, Hambantota, Haputale, Hikkaduwa, Horton Plains, Jaffna, Kalpitiya, Kalutara, Kandy, Kataragama, Knuckles Mountain Range, Kurunegala, Matale, Matara, Minneriya National Park, Mirissa, Negombo, Nilaveli, North Central Province, North Western Province, Northern Province, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa, Sammanthurai, Sigiriya, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Southern Province, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Tangalle, Tissamaharama, Trincomalee, Unawatuna, Uppuveli, Uva, Wadduwa, Weligama, Western Province, Yala National Park, Yapahuwa.

Let's look now what weather you can expect in the area around the capital and in many other cities. The warmest month here is March, the average maximum temperature is 32.3 ℃ (90.14 ℉). The average minimum temperature in this month is 23.9 ℃ (75.02 ℉). The coldest month here is October, the average maximum temperature is 29.6 ℃ (85.28 ℉). The average minimum temperature in this month is 24.8 ℃ (76.64 ℉). The most rainy month here is October, the average number of rainy days is 16.6. The least rainy month here is January, the average number of rainy days is 5.1.

When travelling to some places in Sri Lanka, always consider the altitude of the the place as well. The highest point here is Pidurutalagala (2524 m) and the lowest point is Indian Ocean (0 m). So there are quite big differences in altitudes in this country, so you can expect the weather to be different in different altitudes as well. Keep in mind, that the temperature usually decreases by 1.2 - 1.9 ℃ (2.2 - 3.5 ℉) per 200 m (656 ft), depending on the other conditions. (And we should add, that in the very special condition named thermal inversion even the temperature may be higher in higher altitudes.)

Please, keep in mind, that this is not a weather forecast, but the information about the usual weather (average). This should help you to decide, when is the best time to go to Sri Lanka. Read more details about the typical weather there in all individual months below:

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

January

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in January is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in January is 30.6 ℃ (87.08 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 22.7 ℃ (72.86 ℉). At the beginning of January you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.35 ℃ (86.63 ℉). At the end of January you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 31.35 ℃ (88.43 ℉). The average number of rainy days in January is 5.1. The average rainfall is 58.9 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:43 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:45 and at the end of the month 11:49.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

February

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in February is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in February is 32.1 ℃ (89.78 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 23 ℃ (73.4 ℉). At the beginning of February you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 31.35 ℃ (88.43 ℉). At the end of February you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 32.2 ℃ (89.96 ℉). The average number of rainy days in February is 5.1. The average rainfall is 72.6 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:49 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:54 and at the end of the month 11:59.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

March

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in March is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in March is 32.3 ℃ (90.14 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 23.9 ℃ (75.02 ℉). At the beginning of March you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 32.2 ℃ (89.96 ℉). At the end of March you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 32.3 ℃ (90.14 ℉). The average number of rainy days in March is 9.1. The average rainfall is 129.3 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:59 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:05 and at the end of the month 12:10.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

April

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in April is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in April is 32.3 ℃ (90.14 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 25.4 ℃ (77.72 ℉). At the beginning of April you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 32.3 ℃ (90.14 ℉). At the end of April you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 31.75 ℃ (89.15 ℉). The average number of rainy days in April is 14.1. The average rainfall is 248.2 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:10 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:16 and at the end of the month 12:21.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

May

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in May is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in May is 31.2 ℃ (88.16 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 25.9 ℃ (78.62 ℉). At the beginning of May you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 31.75 ℃ (89.15 ℉). At the end of May you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.75 ℃ (87.35 ℉). The average number of rainy days in May is 15.7. The average rainfall is 385.3 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:21 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:26 and at the end of the month 12:29.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

June

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in June is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in June is 30.3 ℃ (86.54 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 26.1 ℃ (78.98 ℉). At the beginning of June you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.75 ℃ (87.35 ℉). At the end of June you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.5 ℃ (86.9 ℉). The average number of rainy days in June is 15.6. The average rainfall is 180.8 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:29 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:31 and at the end of the month 12:31.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

July

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in July is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in July is 30.7 ℃ (87.26 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 25.2 ℃ (77.36 ℉). At the beginning of July you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.5 ℃ (86.9 ℉). At the end of July you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.45 ℃ (86.81 ℉). The average number of rainy days in July is 12.1. The average rainfall is 120.8 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:31 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:29 and at the end of the month 12:25.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

August

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in August is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in August is 30.2 ℃ (86.36 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 25 ℃ (77 ℉). At the beginning of August you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.45 ℃ (86.81 ℉). At the end of August you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.15 ℃ (86.27 ℉). The average number of rainy days in August is 10.9. The average rainfall is 117.1 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:25 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:21 and at the end of the month 12:16.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

September

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in September is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in September is 30.1 ℃ (86.18 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 25.6 ℃ (78.08 ℉). At the beginning of September you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.15 ℃ (86.27 ℉). At the end of September you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 29.85 ℃ (85.73 ℉). The average number of rainy days in September is 15.2. The average rainfall is 248.1 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:16 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:10 and at the end of the month 12:05.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

October

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in October is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in October is 29.6 ℃ (85.28 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 24.8 ℃ (76.64 ℉). At the beginning of October you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 29.85 ℃ (85.73 ℉). At the end of October you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.05 ℃ (86.09 ℉). The average number of rainy days in October is 16.6. The average rainfall is 359.4 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:05 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:59 and at the end of the month 11:54.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

November

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in November is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in November is 30.5 ℃ (86.9 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 23.8 ℃ (74.84 ℉). At the beginning of November you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.05 ℃ (86.09 ℉). At the end of November you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.3 ℃ (86.54 ℉). The average number of rainy days in November is 15. The average rainfall is 420.2 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:54 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:49 and at the end of the month 11:45.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

December

Typical (usual) weather in Sri Lanka in December is this: The average highest temperature in Sri Lanka in December is 30.1 ℃ (86.18 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 22.8 ℃ (73.04 ℉). At the beginning of December you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.3 ℃ (86.54 ℉). At the end of December you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 30.35 ℃ (86.63 ℉). The average number of rainy days in December is 10.2. The average rainfall is 173.1 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:45 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:43 and at the end of the month 11:43.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

Below are average values, so you can consider them typical weather in Sri Lanka in these places. The sign '-' means we don't have enough data for this item.

Colombotemperature: - highest temperature: 30.1 ℃ (86.18 ℉)lowest temperature: 22.8 ℃ (73.04 ℉)rainfall: 173.1mmrainy days: 10.2
Anuradhapuratemperature: - highest temperature: 29.9 ℃ (85.82 ℉)lowest temperature: 22.5 ℃ (72.5 ℉)rainfall: 210.8mmrainy days: 13.8
Batticaloatemperature: - highest temperature: 28.4 ℃ (83.12 ℉)lowest temperature: 24.3 ℃ (75.74 ℉)rainfall: 428.5mmrainy days: 16.9
Galletemperature: - highest temperature: 28.7 ℃ (83.66 ℉)lowest temperature: 22.9 ℃ (73.22 ℉)rainfall: 178mmrainy days: 12
Jaffnatemperature: - highest temperature: 28.9 ℃ (84.02 ℉)lowest temperature: 23.7 ℃ (74.66 ℉)rainfall: 292.1mmrainy days: 13.3
Kandytemperature: - highest temperature: 28.2 ℃ (82.76 ℉)lowest temperature: 19.2 ℃ (66.56 ℉)rainfall: 196.1mmrainy days: 14
Nuwara Eliyatemperature: - highest temperature: 19.1 ℃ (66.38 ℉)lowest temperature: 11.5 ℃ (52.7 ℉)rainfall: 192.2mmrainy days: 15.1
Ratnapuratemperature: - highest temperature: 32.5 ℃ (90.5 ℉)lowest temperature: 22.7 ℃ (72.86 ℉)rainfall: 234.9mmrainy days: 13.9
Trincomaleetemperature: - highest temperature: 28.2 ℃ (82.76 ℉)lowest temperature: 25 ℃ (77 ℉)rainfall: 365mmrainy days: 16.4
Mannartemperature: - highest temperature: 28.7 ℃ (83.66 ℉)lowest temperature: 24.9 ℃ (76.82 ℉)rainfall: 222.1mmrainy days: 12.2




When you read about the number of mm of rainfall, you should know this: Light rain is when the precipitation rate is less than 2.5 mm (0.1 in) per hour. For moderate rain this number is between 2.5 mm and 10 mm (0.4 in), for heavy rain it is 10 mm - 50 mm (2.0 in). Violent rain has this number higher than 50 mm per hour.