Mirissa

Matara District Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Matara District, Sri Lanka in January.

Planning a trip to Matara District, Sri Lanka this January? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Matara District in January

Matara District, Sri Lanka is a region in Sri Lanka. January in Matara District generally has very warm temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.

Temperatures

You can expect very warm maximum daytime temperatures of around 30°C (86°F) and nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) in Mirissa. The temperatures mentioned for both day and night are typical averages. However some days might get even hotter. It's best to stay prepared by wearing cloths suitable for the warmth.

For a closer look at conditions across Matara District, Sri Lanka, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Dikwella South with an average of 84 mm (3.3 in) to heavy rainfall in Deniyaya with 169 mm (6.7 in).

Average sunshine

Most destinations offer generous amounts of sunshine this January. For example, Mirissa gets approximately 250 hours of sunlight, perfect for anyone wanting bright, sunny days.

Explore Matara District by month

Best Places to Visit in Matara District in January

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

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 Matara District

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Matara District, Sri Lanka?

Temperature range in Matara District (January)

Precipitation variation in Matara District (January)

Mirissa

In January Mirissa generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
220 hours
250 hours
249 hours
Monthly rainfall
181 mm (7.1 in)
86 mm (3.4 in)
76 mm (3 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
5 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Weligama

In January Weligama generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
220 hours
250 hours
249 hours
Monthly rainfall
183 mm (7.2 in)
89 mm (3.5 in)
79 mm (3.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
5 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Matara

In January Matara generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
220 hours
250 hours
249 hours
Monthly rainfall
189 mm (7.4 in)
90 mm (3.5 in)
80 mm (3.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
5 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Deniyaya

In January Deniyaya generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly sun hours
218 hours
248 hours
246 hours
Monthly rainfall
296 mm (12 in)
169 mm (6.7 in)
146 mm (5.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
6 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Dikwella South

In January Dikwella South generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
220 hours
210 hours
201 hours
Monthly rainfall
186 mm (7.3 in)
84 mm (3.3 in)
76 mm (3 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
5 days
5 days
Weather conditions

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

In our records: Sri Lanka January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Sri Lanka in our climate database (1995 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest January night in Sri Lanka dropped to -2°C (28°F) in Bentota on January 1, 2020.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Matara District in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Mirissa 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Weligama 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Matara 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Deniyaya 30°C (86°F) 21°C (70°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Dikwella South 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Talalla South 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)

Matara District weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Matara District, Sri Lanka in January?

Matara District, Sri Lanka typically experiences tolerable weather in January, part of the season. Daytime highs in Mirissa average around 30°C (86°F), and temperatures drop to about 24°C (75°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Matara District, Sri Lanka in January?

Daytime temperatures in Mirissa peak at roughly 30°C (86°F) in January, dropping to about 24°C (75°F) overnight.

Does Matara District, Sri Lanka get a lot of rain in January?

January is on the drier side in Matara District, Sri Lanka. Mirissa averages only about 86 mm (3.4 in), with most days staying dry.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Matara District, Sri Lanka?

In our opinion, January is a good time to visit Matara District, Sri Lanka with overall pleasant weather in Mirissa. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

Generally speaking, July and August provide pleasant weather in Mirissa. On the other hand, the weather in April, May, June, October, November and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Matara District.

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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