Sri Lanka Weather By Month Detailed Guide is best to understand about each month weather to select best time to visit. Sri Lanka has a tropical climate influenced by two monsoon seasons:
- Southwest Monsoon (Yala) – May to September: Affects the southwest coast and central hills.
- Northeast Monsoon (Maha) – October to January: Affects the north and east coast.
Since different parts of Sri Lanka experience different weather patterns at the same time, there’s always a great place to visit year-round!
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Sri Lanka Weather By Month – A Detailed Guide
🌞 January (One of the Best Months to Visit)
- Weather: Dry and sunny in the south and west. Cooler in the central highlands.
- Best for: Colombo, Galle, Bentota, Mirissa, Kandy, Sigiriya.
- Temperature: Coastal areas 27-31°C (81-88°F), Hill Country 15-20°C (59-68°F).
- Rainfall: Low on the west & south coasts, but some rain in the northeast.
🌤️ February (Warm & Dry, Great for Beaches)
- Weather: Warm, dry, and sunny across most of the country.
- Best for: Southern & western beaches, Ella, Kandy, Cultural Triangle.
- Temperature: Similar to January. Warm days and pleasant nights.
- Rainfall: Little to no rain in most regions.
☀️ March (Getting Hotter)
- Weather: The hottest month begins, with rising humidity.
- Best for: Any part of Sri Lanka, as rainfall remains low.
- Temperature: Coastal areas 28-34°C (82-93°F), Hill Country 18-24°C (64-75°F).
- Rainfall: Occasional thunderstorms in the afternoons.
☀️ April (Hot & Humid, New Year Celebrations)
- Weather: Peak heat across the island. Afternoon thunderstorms become more frequent.
- Best for: Beaches (west & south), Hill Country (for cooler temperatures).
- Temperature: Coastal areas 30-35°C (86-95°F), Hill Country 18-24°C (64-75°F).
- Rainfall: Some showers in the afternoon, but mornings are usually clear.
- Special Event: Sinhala & Tamil New Year (April 13-14)
🌧️ May (Southwest Monsoon Begins)
- Weather: Heavy rains begin in the southwest (Colombo, Galle, Bentota, Nuwara Eliya). Dry in the east and north.
- Best for: Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Pasikudah (East Coast).
- Temperature: 27-31°C (81-88°F).
- Rainfall: High in the southwest.
🌧️ June (Wet in the Southwest, Dry in the East)
- Weather: Heavy rainfall in the southwest, but the east coast is dry and sunny.
- Best for: Arugam Bay (surfing season), Trincomalee, Cultural Triangle.
- Temperature: 26-31°C (79-88°F).
- Rainfall: High in Colombo, Galle, and the central highlands.
🌦️ July (Mixed Weather, Great for Surfing)
- Weather: Southwest rains continue, but the east coast stays dry and sunny.
- Best for: Arugam Bay, Trincomalee, Kandy Perahera Festival.
- Temperature: 27-31°C (81-88°F).
- Rainfall: Moderate in the southwest, dry in the east.
🌤️ August (Good for Most of Sri Lanka)
- Weather: Inter-monsoon period, meaning occasional showers in the southwest, but still good beach weather on the east coast.
- Best for: Arugam Bay, Trincomalee, Kandy Esala Perahera Festival.
- Temperature: 27-30°C (81-86°F).
- Rainfall: Moderate in the southwest, low in the east.
⛅ September (Inter-Monsoon, Unpredictable Weather)
- Weather: Showers across the island but short and intense.
- Best for: Mixed conditions, so plan based on real-time forecasts.
- Temperature: 26-30°C (79-86°F).
- Rainfall: Varies by region, with increasing showers.
⛈️ October (Wettest Month of the Year)
- Weather: The inter-monsoon period brings heavy rains across the entire island.
- Best for: Hill Country (for misty scenery and waterfalls).
- Temperature: 26-29°C (79-84°F).
- Rainfall: Heavy across the country with frequent thunderstorms.
🌧️ November (Northeast Monsoon Begins)
- Weather: Rain in the north and east, drier in the south and west.
- Best for: South & west coasts (Galle, Bentota, Mirissa).
- Temperature: 26-30°C (79-86°F).
- Rainfall: Increasing in the northeast.
🌤️ December (Great for South & West Beaches)
- Weather: Dry in the south and west, rain in the north and east.
- Best for: Colombo, Galle, Bentota, Mirissa, Ella, Sigiriya.
- Temperature: 26-31°C (79-88°F).
- Rainfall: High in the north and east, low in the south and west.
Sri Lanka Weather By Month – Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
✅ December – April → Best for the South & West Coasts (Galle, Bentota, Mirissa)
✅ May – September → Best for the East Coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay)