Home Arrow FAQ Arrow When Is the Rainy Season in Sri Lanka?

When Is the Rainy Season in Sri Lanka?

Due to the monsoon climate of monsoons, Sri Lanka has two rainy seasons. Depending on the region, the time, and the intensity differs:

South West Monsoon (Yala Season)

  • Season: May- August. The heaviest rainfall is experienced in May and June with heavy downpours and even floods.
  • Areas of Impact: The greatest amount of rain falls on the Southwest coast and central highlands (e.g., Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya), with the hill country experiencing wet weather, although not as heavy.
  • Weather: Rainy weather, green vegetation, and low temperatures in the mountains
  • Good to go to: North and east (dry during the time).

North East Monsoon (Maha Season)

  • Season: October- January, the rainiest months are November and December.
  • Regions Involved: The east coast and northern regions (e.g., Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Jaffna)
  • Weather: Violent spells of rain, particularly on the coast and lowlands
  • Ideal when traveling to the southwest & hill country (dry and pleasant).

Inter-Monsoon Periods (Short Rainy)

  • March to April: The initial inter-monsoon also has uneven showers and humidity throughout the island, although not as extreme.
  • October-November: This is also the second inter-monsoon, which is quite rainy all across the country, and showers and thunderstorms can be unpredictable and heavy.

Travel Tip - Sri Lanka: Best Time to Visit

The country is also characterized by two monsoon seasons, meaning that it may be pouring heavily in one region of the country while it is sunny and dry in another region. This qualifies Sri Lanka as an excellent destination all year round, with some form of planning of your trip.

- When to visit this country really depends on what area of the country you want to visit:

  • Southwest and central (such as Bentota or Mirissa): January-April (dry season), the southwest and central areas are dry and sunny.
  • The northeast and east (such as Arugam Bay): April-September (dry season), when this part of the country is in its dry season.

- The most favorable period for visiting is January-April because the weather is warm and sunny.

- It is important to note that you will always anticipate some rain, especially in the highlands, and look at the local forecasts as you approach your trip.

- During the rainy season in Sri Lanka, showers are often brief and heavy, typically in the afternoon or evening. Mornings are usually clearer, making it possible to enjoy sightseeing even in monsoon months.

Briefly put, you can always find a section of Sri Lanka with excellent weather conditions, and you can then plan your visit to get the sun at any time of the year.

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