Dambulla Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Dambulla, Matale District, Sri Lanka. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.
Dambulla has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1369 mm (54 in) of rainfall per year. It does, however, have a distinct rainy season during certain months. Have a look at our detailed charts below to see how precipitation varies throughout the year.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
The climate in Dambulla shows significant variation throughout the year. Expect 255 mm (10 in) of precipitation during the wettest month November, distributed over 15 rainy days.
In contrast, June offers drier and sunnier days, with around 46 mm (1.8 in) of rainfall over 9 rainy days.
November, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 30°C (86°F). During the driest month June you can expect a temperature of 33°C (91°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Dambulla Temperature page.
Daily Historical Precipitation
37-year average (1983-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in June
Explore Dambulla's Historical Precipitation: 1982-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Dambulla spanning 45 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Sri Lanka: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Sri Lanka. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Dambulla vs World: Rainfall Compared
Dambulla's average annual precipitation is 1369 mm (54 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm (21 in) of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.
In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm (53 in), with a humid subtropical climate.
In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm (39 in), making it wetter than Sydney.
Bangkok, Thailand, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1668 mm (66 in) of annual rainfall, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during September and October.
Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.
Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.
Tropical Rainforests: In tropical regions, rainfall is generally abundant year-round. Areas near the equator, like the Amazon rainforest, can receive up to 3000 mm (118 in) of rain annually.
Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm (9.8 in) of rainfall annually. Rainfall tends to be infrequent, but when it does occur, it is often intense.
Temperate Zones: In temperate regions, precipitation tends to be more evenly distributed, though areas closer to the ocean may see more rain in the winter months, and areas further inland experience drier summers.
Polar Regions: Precipitation in polar regions, like Antarctica, is extremely low, often falling as snow. Average annual precipitation in Antarctica is less than 200 mm (7.9 in), with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm (2 in) annually.
- "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
- The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
- The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.
For more detailed information about Dambulla's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Dambulla Climate page.
