Kottagoda Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Kottagoda, Sri Lanka. These averages rely on historical data collected over 30 years, from 1990 to 2020. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.

Kottagoda has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 2015 mm (79 in) of rainfall annually. Despite the high annual total, it does experience a distinct rainy season during certain months. Examine our detailed charts below to understand these seasonal patterns.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))

The seasons in Kottagoda, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, November, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 286 mm (11 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 14 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, February, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 76 mm (3 in) over 5 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

November, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 30°C (86°F). The city receives 210 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 31°C (88°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Kottagoda Temperature page.

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.

Kottagoda vs World: Rainfall Compared

Kottagoda's average annual precipitation is 2015 mm (79 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The climate in San Francisco, USA, is influenced by coastal weather, with 469 mm (18 in) of rainfall mostly during the winter months.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm (39 in) of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm (22 in) of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm (77 in) of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.

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 Kottagoda's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Kottagoda Climate page.