Colombo weather in January (Colombo District, Sri Lanka)

Curious about the January weather in Colombo? Here's what the weather might have in store during this month.

In January, Colombo generally has very high temperatures and moderate rainfall. Throughout the daytime, temperatures often hover around 32°C. However, as the sun sets and evening approaches, there's a noticeable cool-down, with temperatures gently dropping to a more temperate 24°C. Keep in mind, these temperatures are averages, and some days might be even warmer. Dress suitably to manage the heat.

Colombo in January usually receives moderate rainfall, averaging around 71 mm for the month. It's the month receiving the least amount of rain. As the days go by, you can expect fewer clouds and less precipitation. This makes it an ideal time for outdoor activities and events that might be disrupted by wetter conditions in other months. Based on our climate data of the past 30 years, about 5 days of rain are anticipated.

With around 248 hours of sunshine, the days are mostly sunny. It gives a pleasant and vibrant feel to the area.

If you're inclined towards comfortable temperatures and drier conditions, January is a prime time to visit Colombo. January, February and March typically offer the best circumstances. While April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November tend to showcase less optimal conditions.

For an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Colombo climate page with graphs.

 

Colombo, monthly averages in January

Min TemperatureMin Temperature 24°C  
Max TemperatureMax Temperature 32°C  
Water TemperatureWater Temperature 28°C  
Chance of RainChance of Rain 16%  
PrecipitationPrecipitation 71 mm  
Rainy daysRainy days 5 days  
HumidityHumidity 70%  
WindspeedWindspeed 7 km/h  
SunshineSunshine 248 hours  
Percentage SunshinePercentage Sunshine  

Where to go in Sri Lanka in January

Find out more about the weather in Sri Lanka in January and which places have the best weather conditions in this month.

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Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

So, what should you wear in Colombo in January?

It's going to be warm! Consider airy clothing, t-shirts, and other summer clothes. Shorts for men made of cotton or linen are good options for staying cool. With a water temperature of around 28°C this is a great month to swim so bring your swimwear.

What To Do

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do in January.

Swimming
9/10
Cycling
7/10
Walking
7/10
Camping
8/10
Outdoor sports
7/10

Interested in more climate information?

Weather and Climate provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Colombo.

Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to Sri Lanka? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in Sri Lanka. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.