Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in May.

Are you planning a trip a to Sri Lanka in May and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect 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 (81°F) to very hot in Polonnaruwa at 36°C (97°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 26°C (79°F) in Polonnaruwa and 20°C (68°F) 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.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Sri Lanka, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Trincomalee with an average of 50 mm (2 in) to heavy rainfall in Beruwala with 347 mm (14 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is fairly consistent across many areas. Kandy receives about 103 hours of sunlight in May, providing a good balance between sunny spells and cloud cover. If you're after more sunshine hours, take a look at our weather planner for other sun-rich destinations worldwide.

Explore Sri Lanka by month

Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka in May

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Sri Lanka.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Sri Lanka

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka?

Temperature range in Sri Lanka (May)

Precipitation variation in Sri Lanka (May)

Kandy

In May Kandy generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 22°C (72°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
31°C (88°F)
30°C (86°F)
29°C (84°F)
Min temperature
21°C (70°F)
22°C (72°F)
22°C (72°F)
Monthly sun hours
157 hours
103 hours
84 hours
Monthly rainfall
217 mm (8.5 in)
141 mm (5.6 in)
109 mm (4.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
11 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Hikkaduwa

In May Hikkaduwa generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
29°C (84°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
Monthly sun hours
230 hours
200 hours
199 hours
Monthly rainfall
191 mm (7.5 in)
315 mm (12 in)
286 mm (11 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
12 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Negombo

In May Negombo generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 27°C (81°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
31°C (88°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
27°C (81°F)
26°C (79°F)
Monthly sun hours
234 hours
202 hours
195 hours
Monthly rainfall
192 mm (7.6 in)
266 mm (10 in)
258 mm (10 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
12 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Mirissa

In May Mirissa generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
31°C (88°F)
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
Monthly sun hours
230 hours
200 hours
199 hours
Monthly rainfall
183 mm (7.2 in)
249 mm (9.8 in)
210 mm (8.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
11 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Nuwara Eliya

In May Nuwara Eliya generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C (84°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
29°C (84°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
20°C (68°F)
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly sun hours
157 hours
103 hours
84 hours
Monthly rainfall
202 mm (8 in)
158 mm (6.2 in)
115 mm (4.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
11 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Sri Lanka.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Sri Lanka in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Kandy 30°C (86°F) 22°C (72°F) 141 mm (5.6 in)
Colombo 31°C (88°F) 26°C (79°F) 294 mm (12 in)
Hikkaduwa 30°C (86°F) 26°C (79°F) 315 mm (12 in)
Negombo 31°C (88°F) 27°C (81°F) 266 mm (10 in)
Nuwara Eliya 29°C (84°F) 21°C (70°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Anuradhapura 34°C (93°F) 26°C (79°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)

Sri Lanka weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Sri Lanka in May?

Expect unpleasant weather across Sri Lanka in May. The popular destination of Kandy averages 30°C (86°F) by day and 22°C (72°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in Sri Lanka in May?

Average temperatures in Sri Lanka during May range from a nighttime low near 22°C (72°F) to a daytime high around 30°C (86°F) in Kandy.

Does Sri Lanka get a lot of rain in May?

Yes, May tends to be a wetter month in Sri Lanka. Average rainfall in Kandy sits around 141 mm (5.6 in).

Is May a Good 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.

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.

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