Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Weather & Climate
Ancient kingdoms, misty tea highlands, leopards and a coastline for all seasons
30°C
Max sea
30°C
Max air
January
Best month
65mm
Driest month
Ancient kingdoms, misty tea highlands, leopards and a coastline for all seasons
Sri Lanka packs an astonishing amount of variety into an island the size of Ireland. The Cultural Triangle in the centre north — Sigiriya's rock fortress, Dambulla's cave temples, Polonnaruwa's ancient ruins — represents one of Asia's most concentrated collections of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The south coast between Unawatuna and Arugam Bay offers excellent surf, whale watching and sea turtles. The hill country around Ella and Nuwara Eliya is a landscape of emerald tea plantations, colonial bungalows and cool mountain air. And Yala National Park has the world's highest density of leopards.
When to go: Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons, so different coasts suit different times. West/south coast: November–April. East coast: May–September.
The best months to visit Sri Lanka are January, February. Peak season is February with the best combination of warm temperatures and low rainfall.
| Month | Air | Sea | Rain | UV | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°C | 28°C | 65mm | 9 | 12 |
| Feb | 28°C | 28°C | 75mm | 10 | 12 |
| Mar | 29°C | 29°C | 124mm | 11 | 12 |
| Apr | 30°C | 30°C | 215mm | 12 | 13 |
| May | 30°C | 30°C | 330mm | 11 | 14 |
| Jun | 28°C | 29°C | 173mm | 9 | 14 |
| Jul | 27°C | 28°C | 120mm | 8 | 14 |
| Aug | 27°C | 28°C | 102mm | 8 | 14 |
| Sep | 27°C | 28°C | 156mm | 9 | 13 |
| Oct | 27°C | 28°C | 348mm | 10 | 12 |
| Nov | 27°C | 28°C | 310mm | 10 | 12 |
| Dec | 27°C | 28°C | 174mm | 9 | 12 |
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is January, February. Peak season is February when temperatures reach 28°C with some rain. Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons, so different coasts suit different times. West/south coast: November–April. East coast: May–September.
Sea temperatures in Sri Lanka range from 28°C in January to 30°C in April. The sea is bath-warm at its warmest.
Winter temperatures in Sri Lanka average 27°C with sea temperatures of 28°C. This makes it a great winter sun destination.
The driest month is January with 65mm. The wettest month sees 348mm. Sri Lanka receives 2192mm annually.
Warm and bath-warm seas. Some rain (65mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Hot and bath-warm seas. Some rain (75mm). UV 10. Sun protection essential.
Hot and bath-warm seas. Moderate rainfall (124mm). UV 11. Sun protection essential.
Hot and bath-warm seas. Heavy rainfall (215mm). UV 12. Sun protection essential.
Hot and bath-warm seas. Heavy rainfall (330mm). UV 11. Sun protection essential.
Hot and bath-warm seas. Moderate rainfall (173mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Warm and bath-warm seas. Moderate rainfall (120mm). UV 8. Sun protection essential.
Warm and bath-warm seas. Moderate rainfall (102mm). UV 8. Sun protection essential.
Warm and bath-warm seas. Moderate rainfall (156mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Warm and bath-warm seas. Heavy rainfall (348mm). UV 10. Sun protection essential.
Warm and bath-warm seas. Heavy rainfall (310mm). UV 10. Sun protection essential.
Warm and bath-warm seas. Moderate rainfall (174mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
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