Weather in May in Sri Lanka
Considering a trip to Sri Lanka this May and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:
What is the weather like in Sri Lanka in May?
May in Sri Lanka generally has temperatures that range from warm to very hot, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.
Temperatures
The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from warm in Ramboda at 27°C to very hot in Polonnaruwa at 36°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 26°C in Polonnaruwa and 20°C in Ramboda. The temperatures cited for both day and night represent usual averages, but it's possible some days could be hotter. It's advisable to dress accordingly to handle the heat.
Precipitation
In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Trincomalee with an average of 50 mm to heavy rainfall in Beruwala with 347 mm.Average sunshine
Most areas experience a moderate amount of sunshine, with approximately 103 hours of sunlight expected in Kandy. This makes it neither too gloomy nor overly bright.To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Sri Lanka in May, check out the map below. For more details on the yearly weather, visit our Sri Lanka climate page.
Where to go in Sri Lanka in May
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Popular destinations
What is the weather like in May for the 5 most popular destinations in Sri Lanka?
Kandy
In May Kandy generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 22°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.
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Hikkaduwa
In May Hikkaduwa generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Negombo
In May Negombo generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 27°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Mirissa
In May Mirissa generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Nuwara Eliya
In May Nuwara Eliya generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°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 May the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
In our opinion, May is a good time to visit Sri Lanka with overall tolerable weather in Kandy. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.
Generally speaking, February provides perfect weather in Kandy. On the other hand, the months of April, October and November tend to have poor weather conditions.
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 travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.