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Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Sri Lanka for your holiday.
Climate Overview
9 °C to 35 °C
27 °C to 29 °C
1.02 – 15.04 in (2 – 25 Days of Rain)Average Annual Temperature is between 15.9 °C (Central Highlands) and 28.5 °C (Northeast Coast)
Show temperatures in degree
Geographical location
Table of Contents
Sri Lanka (former name: Ceylon) is an island and since 1948 an independent republic in the Indian Ocean. The Asian state was first conquered in the coastal areas by Portugal (1518) and shortly afterwards fell to the Netherlands.
With the change to the 19th century the English influence became ever greater, from 1803 Sri Lanka (Ceylon) was a British crown colony. Many thousands of years ago Sri Lanka was still part of the Indian land mass, today the island is separated from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu by the Gulf of Mannar and the narrow Palk Strait. The “soul of Sri Lanka” is the central highland with a distinctive mountain plateau on which the tea cultivation areas are also located. Highest elevation on Sri Lanka is Mount Pedro (Pidurutalagala) with 2,524 meters.
The other areas of the country are the coasts with palm-fringed beaches and the tropical lowlands. Sri Lanka has about 22 million inhabitants and strictly speaking two capitals: Sri Jayewardenepura is the seat of government and therefore the legal capital, but the actual capital is Colombo on the west coast. The most popular destinations in Sri Lanka include Kandy, Jaffna, Galle, Hikkaduwa and Tissa with the neighbouring Yala National Park. Starting point of almost all Sri Lanka trips is the airport Colombo (Bandaranaike International Airport) in Katunayaka, about 22 miles north of Colombo.
Climate in Sri Lanka
Basically Sri Lanka is dominated by two different winds (monsoon), the northeast monsoon and the southwest monsoon. These monsoons also have very different influences in the different island regions, so that there are suitable destinations in Sri Lanka at all seasons. In the south and on the west coast of the country, most rain falls between May and October, although the months of July and August remain comparatively friendly. Even in the monsoon season the sun still shines regularly, usually once or twice a day there are short and very strong showers.
Swimming is not possible in the west and south of Sri Lanka at this time of the year (not least due to thunderstorms), while the best conditions prevail on the east coast. In the period of the Northeast Monsoon the tables turn: From November to the end of January the east of Sri Lanka is now afflicted by sometimes heavy rainy periods, while in the popular bathing resorts on the south and west coast dry and sunny weather is now usual. The northernmost part of the island is very dry and only rains in November and December.
Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka: Overview
JanuaryJan Best time to travel in the seaside resorts in south and westPerf. climate in south and west | FebruaryFeb Best time to travel in the seaside resorts in south and westPerf. climate in south and west | MarchMar Best time to travel in the seaside resorts in south and westPerf. climate in south and west | AprilApr Good time to traveltime wet in south and west, pleasant in east and northsuitable in the east | MayMay Good time to traveltime wet in south and west, pleasant in east and northsuitable in the east | JuneJun Good time to traveltime wet in south and west, pleasant in east and northsuitable in the east |
JulyJul Good time to traveltime wet in south and west, pleasant in east and northsuitable in the east | AugustAug Good time to traveltime wet in south and west, pleasant in east and northsuitable in the east | SeptemberSep Very hot (average up to 31 °C) Up to 9.29 in of rainof rain | OctoberOct Very hot (average up to 28 °C) Up to 14.53 in of rainof rain | NovemberNov Up to 13.15 in of rainof rain | DecemberDec Good time to traveltime in west and southfor west and south |
When to travel to Sri Lanka?
Starting from the rainy season on Sri Lanka and the different monsoon impairments we give you the following travel recommendation: For the central highlands and a bathing holiday at the southwest coast in the middle of December to the end of March are considered as absolutely best travel time on Sri Lanka. The best time for a beach holiday in the northeast is between the beginning of March and the end of August. Daytime temperatures on the coast rarely drop below 30 °C, in combination with the rather high humidity, Europeans find the hot phases in particular quite unpleasant.
We therefore strongly recommend a Sri Lanka round trip to our readers, in order not only to experience as much of the scenic and cultural diversity as possible, but also to enjoy the significantly cooler climate in the central highlands as a welcome change. Cyclones (so-called cyclones in Sri Lanka) are rare but quite violent natural phenomena. They occur mainly between September and December and in May, the north coast and north-east coast is more frequently affected than the south of the island and the western coast.
In the last 15 years, seven cyclones have been recorded in Sri Lanka. This is by no means a reason to avoid Sri Lanka, because there are hurricanes everywhere in the tropics and even the USA is much more frequently hit by hurricanes. However, you should be interested in comparing your desired travel time exactly with our information and climate tables. Many a bargain offer lies in an unfavorable travel time and we would like to prevent with these assistance that your Sri Lanka vacation does not only fall symbolically in the water.
Best Time to Visit the Regions
Find the best time to visit the regions (Sri Lanka) in the following overview.| Location | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|
| Central Highlands | January, February, March, April, and December |
| Colombo | January, February, March, and December |
| Northeast Coast | April, May, June, July, and August |
Climate Charts Sri Lanka
In the following, you will find climate charts for the regions.
Furthermore, there are some charts you can use for quick comparison of climate between the regions.
Show Climate Chart for
Central Highlands
Show temperatures in degree
Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia
Climate Tables Sri Lanka
In the following, you will find some climate tables for Sri Lanka, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.Show climate table for
Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Central Highlands (Sri Lanka)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 20° | 21° | 23° | 23° | 21° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 20° | 20° | 19° |
| Night Temperature | 9° | 9° | 10° | 11° | 13° | 13° | 13° | 13° | 12° | 12° | 12° | 11° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 4.21 | 2.95 | 2.8 | 5.94 | 7.01 | 6.93 | 6.85 | 6.26 | 6.93 | 8.98 | 8.46 | 7.64 |
| Rainy days | 14 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 17 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Central Highlands is 15.9 °C.For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C
Warmest month: April (17.1 °C)
Coldest month: January (14.7 °C)
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 74.96 inch on 218 rainy daysFor comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in
Rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): May, June, September, October, November, and December
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 45.94 in
You cannot expect snow in any month in Central Highlands.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, March is the sunniest month with an average of 6.4 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 4.1 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Colombo (Sri Lanka)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 31° | 31° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° |
| Night Temperature | 22° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 23° |
| Water Temperature | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 27° | 27° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 2.44 | 2.72 | 5.12 | 9.96 | 15.04 | 7.32 | 4.92 | 4.49 | 9.29 | 14.53 | 12.2 | 6.61 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Colombo is 27.4 °C.Warmest month: May (28.3 °C)
Coldest month: January (26.6 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Colombo is 29 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.
Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
all months
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 94.65 inchRainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): April, May, June, September, October, and November
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 68.35 in
You cannot expect snow in any month in Colombo.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, March is the sunniest month with an average of 8.9 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 7.2 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Northeast Coast (Sri Lanka)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 28° | 29° | 31° | 33° | 35° | 35° | 34° | 34° | 34° | 32° | 29° | 28° |
| Night Temperature | 24° | 25° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 5.2 | 3.94 | 2.13 | 1.97 | 2.05 | 1.02 | 2.76 | 3.5 | 4.09 | 8.54 | 13.15 | 13.43 |
| Rainy days | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 16 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Northeast Coast is 28.5 °C.Warmest month: June (30.6 °C)
Coldest month: January (26.1 °C)
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 61.77 inch on 86 rainy daysRainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): October, November, and December
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 35.12 in
You cannot expect snow in any month in Northeast Coast.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, March is the sunniest month with an average of 9.7 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 7.8 hours of sunshine per day on average.Popular Activities
Galle and Bentota Day-Tour From Colombo
Tours
from 60 $ »
Discover Sri Lanka’s Madu Ganga River Region on this boat safari tour. Visit a cinnamon garden. See stilt fishermen at work. Learn about local wildlife at a turtle hatchery, and explore the Galle Fort— a UNESCO heritage site.
The True Essence of Colombo:Private Highlights & Hidden Gems
Tours
from 30 $ »
Make the most out of your time in the bustling city of Colombo by visiting the coolest spots with the help of a local! Ride a Tuk Tuk to hidden gems that only locals know and get ready for an amazing authentic experience!
Full-day Sightseeing Tour of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Tours
from 60 $ »
A towering metropolis on the coast of the Indian Ocean, Colombo has many sides to discover. From the lively exchanges seen at the bazaars of Pettah to the sunkissed beaches of Mt. Lavinia, you will be enchanted by this dynamic and ancient trading city.
More attractions
Yala National Park All-Inclusive 2-Day Safari | From Colombo: Udawalawa National Park Wildlife Safari | From Colombo: All Inclusive Sigiriya and Dambulla Tour | Colombo: Private City Sightseeing Tour | Day Trip to the Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa From Colombo | 2-Day Whale Watching & Southern Sri Lanka Tour | Colombo Welcome Tour with a Local Guide |Current Weather and Forecast
Current Weather in Central Highlands (Station Nuwara Eliya)
broken clouds, 11.7 °CClouds: 66 % Wind: 2 mph ONO
Air Pressure: 1014 hPa Humidity: 96 %
Air Pressure: 1014 hPa Humidity: 96 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 06:56 pm
The next days …
| 8th Feb 2023 | 9th Feb 2023 | 10th Feb 2023 | 11th Feb 2023 | 12th Feb 2023 | 13th Feb 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 10 °C to 20 °C | 10 °C to 20 °C |  10 °C to 20 °C | 10 °C to 20 °C | 11 °C to 21 °C |  11 °C to 21 °C |
| 10 °C to 20 °C | 10 °C to 20 °C | 10 °C to 20 °C | 10 °C to 20 °C | 11 °C to 21 °C | 11 °C to 21 °C |
| Clouds: 99 % | Clouds: 76 % | Clouds: 71 % | Clouds: 82 % | Clouds: 92 % | Clouds: 50 % |
| No Precipitation | No Precipitation | 0.04 in of rain | 0.02 in of rain | No Precipitation | No Precipitation |
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree
Hottest Month
June: 35 °C
Day Temperature in Northeast Coast
June: 35 °CDay Temperature in Northeast Coast
Coldest Month
January: 9 °C
Night Temperature in Central Highlands
January: 9 °CNight Temperature in Central Highlands
Rainiest Month
May: 15.04 in
Rain in Colombo
May: 15.04 inRain in Colombo
Driest Month
June: 1.02 in
Rain in Northeast Coast
June: 1.02 inRain in Northeast Coast
Maximum Water Temperature
May: 29 °C
Water Temperature in Colombo
May: 29 °CWater Temperature in Colombo
Sunniest Month
March: 9.7 hours/day
Sunshine in Northeast Coast
March: 9.7 hours/daySunshine in Northeast Coast
Activities and Attractions
Colombo: All-Inclusive Private City Tour
Tours
from 48 $ »
Wilpattu National Park Safari Tour from Colombo
Tours
from 142 $ »
Bentota Day Tour from Colombo
Tours
from 50 $ »
Distances to Sri Lanka
| London | New York | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Highlands | 5460 mi | 8780 mi | 9350 mi |
| Colombo | 5420 mi | 8760 mi | 9370 mi |
| Northeast Coast | 5390 mi | 8690 mi | 9230 mi |
Where’s Sri Lanka?
Show Central Highlands on MapShow Colombo on Map
Show Northeast Coast on Map
Continent: Asia
All Holiday Destinations in AsiaShare your Experience and Win
We want to know: how was the weather during your Sri Lanka holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions.
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Sri Lanka: Experiences of our Visitors
The weather was perfect for a sunny destination in Asia. Whether on hiking tours, temple visits or on the beach. Since the high temperatures were pleasant to endure and are not disturbing during holiday activities.
Gladly again this time of year
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
optimal, not too hot, great to swim in the ocean, simply ingenious
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Best time to travel is February and March, not too was however beautiful
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
We were in Sri Lanka in January 2018 and from Colombo to the north and then into the highlands via Kandy, then south. The weather was excellent, we didn’t have a single rainy day, in the highlands it was a bit cool at night, but not unpleasant. The daytime travel temperature couldn’t have been better. The connecting bathing week in Bentota was hot, but always with a pleasant wind.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
In the west and south the coast was windy and the sea rough (monsoon), but only once rainy, in the east sunny with veil clouds and the sea calm and ideal for swimming and snorkelling. In the interior (rainforest) it was changeable, on some days sunny, on others there were longer rain phases. In the high mountains it was cloudy during the day, cool in the evening.
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
We had some heavy rains although the rainy season was actually over. But at 30 degrees it wasn’t so bad.
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
we had hardly any rain and it wasn’t too hot. Perfect!
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
On the east coast very hot and nice weather. West coast from Negombo in the direction of Wilpattu hardly any more rain.
Kandy cloudy. Nuwara Eliya cloudy and occasional rain
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
The weather was mixed… warm but cloudy and occasionally windy. A little too fresh for me to take a bath. The water’s dirty.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Good conditions on the west and south coasts and inland, not too hot.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Except for two days about 2-3 hours from 14.00 o’clock in the highlands I only had sunshine at its best. Thus the German winter could be spent wonderfully.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Weather on the southwest coast (Hikkaduwa): Very stormy throughout, sea turbulent and high waves, no swimming / diving possible. During the day mostly sunny weather, from the afternoon occasionally short showers. At night strong thunderstorms and much rain.
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good