Sri Lanka weather in January
Are you planning a trip to Sri Lanka in January and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.
What is the weather like in Sri Lanka in January?
January in Sri Lanka generally has temperatures that range from warm to very warm, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.
During the day the temperature is warm in Ramboda at 25°C and very warm in Biyagama at 33°C. As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 23°C in Biyagama and 17°C in Ramboda.
In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Chilaw with an average of 43 mm to heavy rainfall in Adams Peak with 299 mm. Most cities enjoy a balanced amount of sunshine, with around 166 hours of sunlight anticipated in Kandy. This ensures the days are neither too dim nor excessively sunny.
For a closer look at January's conditions in Sri Lanka, see the map below. For a more detailed look at Sri Lanka's yearly weather, check out our Sri Lanka climate page.
Where to go in Sri Lanka in January
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor
Popular destinations in Sri Lanka
What is the weather like in January for the 5 most popular destinations in Sri Lanka?
Average weather in Kandy
In January Kandy generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 27°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 19°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Average weather in Hikkaduwa
In January Hikkaduwa generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.
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Average weather in Negombo
In January Negombo generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Average weather in Mirissa
In January Mirissa generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Average weather in Nuwara Eliya
In January Nuwara Eliya generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 25°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 18°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Sri Lanka.
Is January the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
In our opinion, January is a good time to visit Sri Lanka with overall pleasant weather in Kandy.
On average, the best time to visit Sri Lanka is in February with generally perfect weather in Kandy. On the other hand, the weather in April, October and November tend to be poor.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Sri Lanka.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Sri Lanka? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Sri Lanka.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.