Climate in Batticaloa (Sri Lanka)

The climate of Batticaloa is tropical, hot all year round, with a rainy season from October to February, while in the rest of the year the rains are quite rare.
The city is located on the east coast of Sri Lanka, at nearly 8 degrees north latitude. Approximately 35 km (22 mi) to the north is the resort town of Pasikudah.
We are in the area that is not affected by the southwest monsoon, which runs from May to September, because it is protected by the mountains found in the interior of Sri Lanka. However, the rains are quite irregular from one year to another, and sometimes, especially in May, there can be heavy rains.
The relatively cooler period is from November to February. By March the temperature rises, and until October, before the rains, it can be very hot. The hottest period is that of the southwest monsoon, which here brings hot, dry air from inland areas.



Sri Lanka is in the path of tropical cyclones. Typically, on the Indian Ocean north of the Equator, cyclones occur from April to December, although Sri Lanka is usually only affected in November and December, and more rarely in May. In fact, usually in mid-May, sometimes there can be heavy rains, caused by cyclones that form in the Bay of Bengal, even if they are at the beginning of their life. However, since the sea is warm all year round, in theory they can also form from January to March, perhaps in a light form (such as tropical storms).

Best Time

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The best time to visit Batticaloa is from March to September, being the dry season. It must be said that from May to September it is very hot. May is generally a dry month, but sometimes, in the middle of the month, it can rain a lot due to the passage of a tropical cyclone at some distance, in the Bay of Bengal.
In March, it can rain a lot in some years, especially at the beginning of the month.
The worst months are November and December, since they are the rainiest ones, plus there is a risk that cyclones will pass.

Batticaloa - Climate data

In Batticaloa, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 26 °C (78.9 °F), that of the warmest month (June) is of 30.2 °C (86.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1850 millimeters (72.8 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 30.7 mm (1.2 in) in the driest month (July) to 468.8 mm (18.5 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 27.5 °C (82 °F) in January to
There are on average around 2845 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Batticaloa - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the least warm month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 268.9 mm (10.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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February is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.6 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75 °F) and a maximum of 29.3 °C (84.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 148.5 mm (5.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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March is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) and a maximum of 30.8 °C (87.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70.3 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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April is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 52.6 mm (2.1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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May is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.8 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.1 °C (79 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 51.7 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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June, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 30.2 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) and a maximum of 34.5 °C (94.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 31.5 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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July is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) and a maximum of 34.4 °C (93.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 30.7 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.6 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) and a maximum of 33.8 °C (92.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 52.1 mm (2.1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.2 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 69.3 mm (2.7 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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October is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (88.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 186.8 mm (7.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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November is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.7 °C (85.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 418.6 mm (16.5 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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December is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.2 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75 °F) and a maximum of 28.6 °C (83.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 468.8 mm (18.5 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.