Climate - Trincomalee (Sri Lanka)

The climate of Trincomalee 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 8 degrees north latitude.
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 Trincomalee is from March to August, being the dry season. It must be said that from May to August 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. In September, there are long dry periods, but sometimes it can rain a lot.
The worst months are November and December, as they are the wettest, plus there is a risk that cyclones will pass.

Trincomalee - Climate data

In Trincomalee, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 26.2 °C (79.1 °F), that of the warmest month (June) is of 30.8 °C (87.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Trincomalee, precipitation amounts to 1635 millimeters (64.4 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 25 mm (1 in) in the driest month (June) to 364 mm (14.3 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
At Trincomalee, the sea temperature ranges from 27.5 °C (82 °F) in January to 30 °C (86 °F) in April, May. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Trincomalee, there are on average around 2845 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Trincomalee - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Trincomalee is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.3 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.9 °C (84.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (67.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 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 February, the weather in Trincomalee is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.0 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) and a maximum of 29.9 °C (85.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In March, the weather in Trincomalee is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.1 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.2 °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 34.5 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 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 Trincomalee is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.6 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.3 °C (77.6 °F) and a maximum of 33.8 °C (92.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 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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In May, the weather in Trincomalee is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 30.4 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) and a maximum of 34.9 °C (94.9 °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 37.5 °C (99 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 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 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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In June, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Trincomalee is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 30.8 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F) and a maximum of 35.4 °C (95.6 °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 °C (98.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In July, the weather in Trincomalee is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 30.4 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) and a maximum of 35.1 °C (95.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 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 August, the weather in Trincomalee is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 30.2 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F) and a maximum of 35 °C (95 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
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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In September, the weather in Trincomalee is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 30.0 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.1 °C (77.1 °F) and a maximum of 34.8 °C (94.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 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 October, the weather in Trincomalee is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 220 mm (8.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 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 November, the weather in Trincomalee is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.0 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86.1 °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 33 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 345 mm (13.6 in), distributed over 16 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 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (3 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 Trincomalee is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.2 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 364 mm (14.3 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.