Colombo Temperature by Month

The average annual maximum temperature in Colombo, Colombo District, Sri Lanka is 31°C (88°F), with little variation between seasons. This page covers monthly averages, day-night differences, and how Colombo compares to cities worldwide.

In Colombo temperatures are generally consistent throughout the year. Maximum daytime temperatures range from a very warm 30°C (86°F) in July to a very warm 33°C (91°F) in March. Nighttime lows range from 26°C (79°F) in March to 24°C (75°F) in July.

The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Colombo by month:

Low temperatures are most often recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while highs typically occur around 3 PM. March, the city's warmest month, sees 276 hours of sunshine.

The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:

Colombo's average annual maximum temperature is 31°C (88°F). To put that in context, here's how it compares to a few well-known destinations:

Athens, Greece sits at 23°C (73°F) on average, with hot dry summers and mild winters characteristic of the Mediterranean.

Zermatt, Switzerland averages just 4°C (39°F) annually due to its altitude, with very cold winters and cool summers even at its warmest.

Chicago, USA averages 15°C (59°F) annually, known for extreme seasonal swings, from bitterly cold winters to warm summers.

Tokyo, Japan averages 21°C (70°F) a year, with hot summers, cool winters, and a well-defined cherry blossom spring.

Temperature alone doesn't tell the whole story, humidity plays a big role in how warm or cold it actually feels. High humidity in summer makes the heat feel more intense, particularly once temperatures climb above 25°C. In winter, the same humidity can make cold air feel sharper than the thermometer suggests.

In Colombo, July is the coolest month, with average highs of 30°C (86°F) and humidity around 78%, considered high. In March, the warmest month, temperatures average 33°C (91°F) with 69% humidity, conditions that feel high. For a full picture, see our humidity page.

Climate temperature data is typically calculated as a 30-year average. This smooths out year-to-year variability and gives a more reliable picture of what a place is actually like, rather than what happened in any single unusual year.

The readings come from a range of sources, land-based weather stations, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. That data is collected by weather services around the world, then pooled, quality-checked, and averaged to produce the climate records you see here.

Global average temperatures have risen by around 1.2°C since the pre-industrial era, and the effects are visible across many regions. Winters are milder on average, with fewer frost days and less snow in many parts of the world. Heatwaves are more frequent and more intense, and Europe's summers of 2018, 2019, and 2020 all set records.

Summers are also getting drier in some areas, while winter rainfall has increased in others. This contributies to higher river levels and more flooding. In many countries, spring arrives earlier and autumn lasts longer. It has knock-on effects for wildlife, agriculture, and local ecosystems.

For more on Colombo's weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity, visit our Colombo climate page.