The best times to visit Sri Lanka for ideal weather are
January 15th to February 25th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Other Sri Lanka Travel Info
Weather in Sri Lanka
Temperature
Average temperatures in Sri Lanka vary very little. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot all year with a chance of rain throughout most of the year. The area is far less temperate than some — in the 6th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Sri Lanka, the hottest months are May, June, and then July. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late May where highs are regularly around 89.8°F (32.1°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 76.5°F (24.7°C) at night.
Sri Lanka Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Sri Lanka Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Sri Lanka Perceived Temperature (F)
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Sri Lanka Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Sri Lanka Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 83.9 | 76.9 | 69.8 |
| Feb | 85.9 | 78.2 | 70.3 |
| Mar | 88.8 | 80.6 | 72.1 |
| Apr | 89.2 | 81.4 | 73.9 |
| May | 88.9 | 82.3 | 75.9 |
| Jun | 88 | 82 | 75.9 |
| Jul | 87.9 | 81.5 | 75.5 |
| Aug | 87.7 | 81.1 | 74.9 |
| Sep | 87.6 | 80.9 | 74.5 |
| Oct | 86.7 | 79.8 | 73.2 |
| Nov | 84.8 | 78.2 | 72 |
| Dec | 83.2 | 77.2 | 71.3 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28.8 | 24.9 | 21 |
| Feb | 29.9 | 25.7 | 21.3 |
| Mar | 31.6 | 27 | 22.3 |
| Apr | 31.8 | 27.4 | 23.3 |
| May | 31.6 | 27.9 | 24.4 |
| Jun | 31.1 | 27.8 | 24.4 |
| Jul | 31.1 | 27.5 | 24.2 |
| Aug | 30.9 | 27.3 | 23.8 |
| Sep | 30.9 | 27.2 | 23.6 |
| Oct | 30.4 | 26.6 | 22.9 |
| Nov | 29.3 | 25.7 | 22.2 |
| Dec | 28.4 | 25.1 | 21.8 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Sri Lanka are July, March, and then February. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid January. For example, on the week of January 15th there is 1 day of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late October to early November with an average of 4 days of significant precipitation the week of October 29th.
When can you find snow in Sri Lanka? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Sri Lanka.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Sri Lanka (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17% | 0 | 4.7 |
| Feb | 16% | 0 | 4.1 |
| Mar | 16% | 0 | 3.7 |
| Apr | 28% | 0 | 7.2 |
| May | 20% | 0 | 5.2 |
| Jun | 19% | 0 | 3.5 |
| Jul | 14% | 0 | 2.6 |
| Aug | 17% | 0 | 3.5 |
| Sep | 24% | 0 | 4.9 |
| Oct | 37% | 0 | 9.8 |
| Nov | 44% | 0 | 11.6 |
| Dec | 40% | 0 | 11.6 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17 | 0 | 11.9 |
| Feb | 16 | 0 | 10.4 |
| Mar | 16 | 0 | 9.4 |
| Apr | 28 | 0 | 18.3 |
| May | 20 | 0 | 13.2 |
| Jun | 19 | 0 | 8.9 |
| Jul | 14 | 0 | 6.6 |
| Aug | 17 | 0 | 8.9 |
| Sep | 24 | 0 | 12.4 |
| Oct | 37 | 0 | 24.9 |
| Nov | 44 | 0 | 29.5 |
| Dec | 40 | 0 | 29.5 |
Humidity and Wind
Sri Lanka has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is March (69.3% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (80.4%).
Wind in Sri Lanka is usually extremely calm. The windiest month is June, followed by July and August. June’s average wind speed of around 5.3 knots (6.1 MPH or 9.8 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid June where average top sustained speeds reach 8.7 knots, which is considered a gentle breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Sri Lanka.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 3.4 | Barely noticeable | 6.3 | Light breeze |
| Feb | 3.3 | Barely noticeable | 6.2 | Light breeze |
| Mar | 2.9 | Barely noticeable | 5.6 | Light breeze |
| Apr | 2.6 | Barely noticeable | 5.4 | Light breeze |
| May | 4.2 | Light breeze | 7.2 | Light breeze |
| Jun | 5.3 | Light breeze | 8.4 | Gentle breeze |
| Jul | 5.1 | Light breeze | 8.2 | Light breeze |
| Aug | 4.7 | Light breeze | 7.7 | Gentle breeze |
| Sep | 4.4 | Light breeze | 7.5 | Light breeze |
| Oct | 3.1 | Barely noticeable | 6 | Light breeze |
| Nov | 2.5 | Barely noticeable | 5.2 | Light breeze |
| Dec | 3 | Barely noticeable | 5.8 | Light breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 74.4% |
| Feb | 72.1% |
| Mar | 69.3% |
| Apr | 74.1% |
| May | 74.1% |
| Jun | 71.3% |
| Jul | 69.7% |
| Aug | 70.9% |
| Sep | 72.3% |
| Oct | 76.1% |
| Nov | 79.9% |
| Dec | 80.4% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Sri Lanka?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for Sri Lanka; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Oct 26, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Sri Lanka is July, followed by August and January. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Sri Lanka in March. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Sri Lanka Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 89.8°F (32.1°C) and 87.2°F (30.7°C) with similar temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 5 to 8 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. These months see the least precipitation with 4 to 6 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Sri Lanka, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 87.8°F (31°C) and 84°F (28.9°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a good amount: 7 to 13 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in Sri Lanka to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 87.2°F (30.7°C) and 82.1°F (27.8°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 5 to 12 times per month. These times of year are the second busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel › Sri Lanka