Sigiriya Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Sigiriya, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.

Sigiriya experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, averaging 1220 mm (48 in) of precipitation annually. However, this abundant rainfall is not evenly distributed, with a distinct dry and rainy season during certain months. You can clearly see this in our monthly precipitation graphs below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Sigiriya, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, November, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 245 mm (9.6 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 15 rainy days.

November, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 31°C (88°F). During the driest month June you can expect a temperature of 34°C (93°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Sigiriya Temperature page.

Sigiriya's average annual precipitation is 1220 mm (48 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.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

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.

Climate change is affecting precipitation patterns worldwide, including Sigiriya:

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
• Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.

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