Climate and Weather of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, with its variations of tropical climates, is characterized by varied rainfall periods and amounts of precipitation. This leads to distinctions between a rainforest climate, tropical savannah climate, and a tropical monsoon climate.Although Sri Lanka welcomes visitors year-round, the presence of two rainy seasons often generates confusion regarding the optimal time to visit. When we look into the monsoon periods, they reveal the following: The Yala Monsoon brings rain to the west, southwest, and inland areas from the end of April to September. The Maha Monsoon ensures rainfall along the east coast from October to March.
If you're planning a journey to the west and south coasts or inland areas, your best bet for pleasant weather falls between December and March. For trips to the east and north coasts, consider aiming for April/May to September to maximize the chances of good weather.
It's crucial to note that from December to March, Sri Lanka enters its high season, and prices tend to increase. On the other hand, May to August constitutes the low season due to the Yala rainy season. However, with pleasant weather in the north and east, and with prices reduced across the nation, this period might present a great opportunity to explore Sri Lanka.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Sri Lanka?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.