Climate Sri Lanka
Located at the southern tip of India, just below the equator, Sri Lanka enjoys a humid tropical climate with a unique season. The climate is pleasant and the heat is present no matter when you want to go there, but there are some nuances to be aware of. The country is subject to two monsoon regimes: a large monsoon from June to September which waters the western coasts of the island and the south, and a small monsoon from December to March which rages on the north and east of the island. From March to June, the dry season sets in and temperatures rise, but they can remain cool in altitude. The country can be roughly divided into three main regions: the west coast and south, from Colombo to Yala National Park, the north and east coast, stretching from Jaffna to Arugam Bay, and finally the mountainous regions. These elements should be taken into account in order to plan your trip.
THE WEST COAST & THE SOUTH
This region, which stretches from Colombo to the southern tip of the island, has a general hot and humid climate. It is sunny from November to March with pleasant temperatures (27° on average), which is the best time to discover this region. On the coasts, the heat is rarely overwhelming, as it is tempered by the oceanic winds. From April onwards, small rains begin to fall sporadically, and temperatures and humidity levels rise. The days are sunny and the sky tends to get darker in the late afternoon. The summer monsoon sets in from the end of May until the beginning of September. The sun is often present in the morning, but heavy rains can fall at any time of the day. However it rains less on the coast from Negombo to Jaffna because this part of the island is partially protected from the winds by the presence of the southern tip of India. It is recommended to be particularly careful when swimming at this time because strong winds blow and the ocean is rough and therefore dangerous. The climate in Colombo is hot and humid all year round (70% humidity, with peaks of up to 90% during the monsoon).
Thebest time to visit the west coast and the south is from December to March.
THE NORTH & EAST COAST
To get an idea of this region, you have to imagine a line connecting Jaffna to Arugam Bay which separates the island into two distinct parts. This region is more arid than the rest of the country, and from April to September it has a dry and hot season, with a high rate of sunshine. The mountains of the center and the south protect these coasts from the big summer monsoon. Temperatures then frequently exceed 30°. It is the ideal time to discover the superb beaches of the east coast. In October and November, the climate remains more or less the same; only the humidity level increases slightly. The population of these regions waits impatiently for the small monsoon which usually arrives in December and which settles until March. However, in recent years, it has been noticed that this monsoon is decreasing in intensity, becoming insignificant or even absent in some years. The East coast is famous for its surf spots, so you can deduce that the winds are sometimes strong and the currents can be powerful. Caution is therefore advised when swimming, and this all year round.
Best time to visit the north and east coast: from May to September.
MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS
The altitude strongly influences the climate in the Highlands and the southern mountains, which is much milder than in the plains and along the coast. The mountainous regions constitute the most humid parts of the country. The nights are cool and showers are frequent. The great monsoon, from May to September, falls on the mountains in the west of the island, then the temperatures can sometimes drop below 10 ° in some climatic stations, such as Nuwara Eliya and Ella. Heavy rainfall sometimes causes flooding and landslides. The winds of the small monsoon, from December to March, modify the climate of the mountainous regions located at the east, but the rains remain sporadic. Regardless of when you want to visit, rain can come at any time. You should bring warm clothes, a windbreaker and an umbrella!
Thebest time to visit the mountainous regions is from November to March in the west, and all year round in the east.
CYCLONES
In addition to its two monsoons, Sri Lanka is also subject to tropical cyclones, which usually sweep the country in November and December. Their intensity is variable but they can bring sudden and heavy rainfall and strong winds. From October to November and from January to March, thunderstorms can occur at any time because during these periods the ocean is warm and contributes to the formation of lows. It is therefore difficult to predict exactly when the rains will hit the island. In general, these events remain sporadic and last only a short time. During the summer monsoon, some areas of the country, especially in the central part of the island and in the mountainous regions, can experience floods. These floods sometimes cause landslides that hit the local population hard. If you are traveling to Sri Lanka during this period, it is imperative to check the weather forecast beforehand and to follow the country's news.
