Weather
Weather in Sri Lanka by month
The best time to visit is January–February and June–August, with average highs of 27–29°C and moderate rain. March is the warmest month (about 31°C by day) and January the coolest (19°C at night); November is the wettest (around 279 mm of rain) and July the driest.
Sri Lanka weather by month
| Month | Jan★ | Feb★ | Mar | Apr | May | Jun★ | Jul★ | Aug★ | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High / Low (°C) | 27° 19° | 29° 19° | 31° 20° | 31° 22° | 30° 23° | 29° 23° | 29° 22° | 29° 22° | 29° 22° | 29° 22° | 28° 21° | 27° 20° |
| Rain (mm) | 116 | 89 | 96 | 155 | 133 | 73 | 62 | 70 | 101 | 228 | 279 | 243 |
Average daily high and low (°C) and monthly rainfall (mm) · Forecast: MET Norway (yr.no) · Climate averages: NASA POWER
Sri Lanka month by month
- ★ Best time
January
27°/ 19°Warm
116 mm · some rainPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings · umbrella
Good trips this month
Warm and some rain: around 27°C by day and 19°C at night, with about 116 mm of rain.
- ★ Best time
February
29°/ 19°Warm
89 mm · some rainPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings · umbrella
Good trips this month
Warm and some rain: around 29°C by day and 19°C at night, with about 89 mm of rain.
March
31°/ 20°Hot
96 mm · some rainPack: Light clothes, sun hat and sunscreen · umbrella
Good trips this month
Hot and some rain: around 31°C by day and 20°C at night, with about 96 mm of rain.
April
31°/ 22°Hot
155 mm · some rainPack: Light clothes, sun hat and sunscreen · umbrella
Good trips this month
Hot and some rain: around 31°C by day and 22°C at night, with about 155 mm of rain.
May
30°/ 23°Hot
133 mm · some rainPack: Light clothes, sun hat and sunscreen · umbrella
Good trips this month
Hot and some rain: around 30°C by day and 23°C at night, with about 133 mm of rain.
- ★ Best time
June
29°/ 23°Warm
73 mm · fairly dryPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings
Good trips this month
Warm and fairly dry: around 29°C by day and 23°C at night, with about 73 mm of rain.
- ★ Best time
July
29°/ 22°Warm
62 mm · fairly dryPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings
Good trips this month
Warm and fairly dry: around 29°C by day and 22°C at night, with about 62 mm of rain.
- ★ Best time
August
29°/ 22°Warm
70 mm · fairly dryPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings
Good trips this month
Warm and fairly dry: around 29°C by day and 22°C at night, with about 70 mm of rain.
September
29°/ 22°Warm
101 mm · some rainPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings · umbrella
Good trips this month
Warm and some rain: around 29°C by day and 22°C at night, with about 101 mm of rain.
- This month
October
29°/ 22°Warm
228 mm · wetPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings · umbrella
Good trips this month
Warm and wet: around 29°C by day and 22°C at night, with about 228 mm of rain.
November
28°/ 21°Warm
279 mm · wetPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings · umbrella
Good trips this month
Warm and wet: around 28°C by day and 21°C at night, with about 279 mm of rain.
December
27°/ 20°Warm
243 mm · wetPack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings · umbrella
Good trips this month
Warm and wet: around 27°C by day and 20°C at night, with about 243 mm of rain.
Weather questions about Sri Lanka
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
What's the weather like in Sri Lanka in October?
Warm and wet: around 29°C by day and 22°C at night, with about 228 mm of rain. Pack: T-shirts, plus a layer for evenings, umbrella.
When is the best time for a desert safari in Sri Lanka?
January–December, February–January, March–February, April–March, May–April, June–May, July–June, August–July, September–August, October–September, November–October and December–November: that's when the weather suits it best — warm enough and mostly dry.
When is the best time for beaches and water sports in Sri Lanka?
June–August: that's when the weather suits it best — warm enough and mostly dry.
What is the warmest month in Sri Lanka?
March: average highs of about 31°C and lows of 20°C.
Which month has the most rain in Sri Lanka?
How cold does Sri Lanka get?
In January, the coolest month, days average 27°C and nights 19°C. Frost is rare.
Average daily high and low (°C) and monthly rainfall (mm) · Forecast: MET Norway (yr.no) · Climate averages: NASA POWER · Sri Lanka Activities