Climate - Negombo (Sri Lanka)

The climate of Negombo 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 located on the west coast of Sri Lanka, about 30 km (18 mi) north of Colombo.
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 Negombo and on the south-west coast, they still amount to around 80/100 mm (3.2/4 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.



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 Negombo 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.

Negombo - Climate data

In Negombo, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 26.9 °C (80.5 °F), that of the warmest month (May) is of 28.7 °C (83.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Negombo, precipitation amounts to 2120 millimeters (83.5 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 50 mm (2 in) in the driest month (January) to 350 mm (13.8 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
At Negombo, the sea temperature ranges from 27 °C (81 °F) in August to 29.5 °C (85 °F) in April. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Negombo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Negombo is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.0 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 22.2 °C (72.1 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 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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In February, the weather in Negombo is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 22.8 °C (73 °F) and a maximum of 32.5 °C (90.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 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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In March, the weather in Negombo is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24 °C (75.2 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 76%. 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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In April, the weather in Negombo is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) and a maximum of 32.2 °C (89.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 245 mm (9.6 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In May, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Negombo is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.7 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 300 mm (11.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 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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In June, the weather in Negombo is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 26 °C (78.8 °F) and a maximum of 30.6 °C (87 °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 32.5 °C (90 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 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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In July, the weather in Negombo is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.0 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 25.9 °C (78.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
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 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In August, the weather in Negombo is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.0 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.3 °C (86.6 °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 31.5 °C (89 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Negombo is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 25.2 °C (77.3 °F) and a maximum of 30.3 °C (86.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 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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In October, the weather in Negombo is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (76 °F) and a maximum of 30.3 °C (86.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 350 mm (13.8 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 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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In November, the weather in Negombo is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.7 °C (87.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 295 mm (11.6 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 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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In December, the least warm month of the year, the weather in Negombo is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23 °C (73.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.9 °C (87.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
The average humidity is 78%. 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.