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Climate in Colombo (Sri Lanka)


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours

Flag - Sri Lanka

Colombo, where it is located


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Climate chart - Colombo
Colombo's climate is tropical, hot all year round, with a relatively dry season in January and February and two very rainy periods, from April to June and from September to mid-December.
The city is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka and is located in the southwest of the island, at nearly 7 degrees north latitude. Nearby is the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital.
We are in the rainiest part of the coast, the one that receives abundant rains even in the period that runs from April to June.
Temperatures are quite stable, however, during the day they are a bit higher from January to April. During this period, the temperature gradually increases, and with it showers and thunderstorms, which become frequent in April.
From mid-May to September is the period of the southwest monsoon, which brings abundant rains especially in the first part (mid-May-mid-June) and in the last one (September). In fact, in July and August, the monsoon moves north and mainly affects India, while in Sri Lanka the rains are not very frequent, however, in Colombo and on the south-west coast they still exceed 100 mm (40 in) per month.
From October to mid-December, the rains are frequent and abundant because tropical depressions often form in Sri Lanka.
From mid-December to February, the north-east monsoon period, is the coolest of the year, especially in the first part, it is also a dry period because we are on the western side, protected by the mountains.

Colombo

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



The best time to visit Colombo is from January to late February or mid-March, since it is the dry season.
In the months of July and August, there is another quite good period, in which the rains are relatively rare, however, this depends on the years, moreover, the sun shines less frequently and the sea is often rough, since the wind carried by the monsoon blows from the southwest.

Colombo - Climate data


In Colombo, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 27.4 °C, that of the warmest month (May) is of 29.2 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Colombo - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
Temperatures (°C)
MonthMinMaxMean
January2331.727.4
February23.532.127.8
March24.532.828.6
April25.132.929
May26.232.329.2
June2631.628.8
July2631.228.6
August2631.228.6
September25.331.228.2
October24.631.127.8
November23.931.227.6
December23.431.427.4
Year24.831.728.2

Precipitation amounts to 2505 millimeters per year: it is therefore very abundant. It ranges from 70.3 millimeters in the driest month (February) to 395.3 millimeters in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
Colombo - Average precipitation
MonthRain (mm)Days
January856
February705
March1017
April26713
May31617
June20316
July13411
August12010
September27616
October39519
November36417
December17410
Year2505149

The sea temperature ranges from 27 °C in August to 29.5 °C in April. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Colombo - Sea temperature
MonthTemperatures (°C)
January27.5
February28
March29
April29.5
May29
June28
July27.5
August27
September27.5
October28
November28.5">
December28
Year28.2

There are on average around 2620 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Colombo - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January8250
February8.5245
March9275
April8235
May6.5200
June6.5195
July6.5200
August6.5200
September6.5190
October6.5200
November7210
December7215
Year7.22620

Colombo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)


January, the least warm month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C, with a minimum of 23 °C and a maximum of 31.7 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 85 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 9 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 27.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


February is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C, with a minimum of 23.5 °C and a maximum of 32.1 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 70.3 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 8 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 28 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


March is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C, with a minimum of 24.5 °C and a maximum of 32.8 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 101 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 7 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 28.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


April is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29 °C, with a minimum of 25.1 °C and a maximum of 32.9 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 266.8 mm, distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 8 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 of 7 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 29.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


May, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.2 °C, with a minimum of 26.2 °C and a maximum of 32.3 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 315.5 mm, distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 29.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


June is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.8 °C, with a minimum of 26 °C and a maximum of 31.6 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 202.8 mm, distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 28.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


July is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C, with a minimum of 26 °C and a maximum of 31.2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 134 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 11 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 27.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C, with a minimum of 26 °C and a maximum of 31.2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 120.1 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 11 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 27.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C, with a minimum of 25.3 °C and a maximum of 31.2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 276.5 mm, distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 27.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


October is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C, with a minimum of 24.6 °C and a maximum of 31.1 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 395.3 mm, distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 8 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 28.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


November is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C, with a minimum of 23.9 °C and a maximum of 31.2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 364.5 mm, distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 7 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.


December is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C, with a minimum of 23.4 °C and a maximum of 31.4 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 173.8 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 8 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 28 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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