Climate

Sri Lanka has warm climate, moderated by ocean winds and considerable moisture. Lowlands and coastal Sri Lanka have hot humid climate. On the hills the climate is salubrious. Both type of climates are separated by a few hours motoring. In Colombo, the commercial capital, located on the west coast, the temperature differs from 26.4 C to 27.8 C. Relative humidity is 70% during days while at nights it reaches 90%. Lowland country enjoys tropical climate. The climate is quite cool in hilly regions. At the altitude of nearly 2,000 metres the temperature goes down to 16ºC. May, June and July are the hottest months of the year.


Average Temperature
The average yearly temperature in Sri Lanka as a whole ranges from 28 to 30oC. The mean temperature varies from a chilly low of 16ºC in Nuwara Eliya in the Central Highlands, where even frosting might occur for several days in the winter, to a high of 32o C in Trincomalee on the northeast coast. The coastal areas are cooled by sea breezes.

Monsoons
As for monsoons Sri Lanka has no off season. North-east monsoon brings rain in the northern and eastern regions in December and January while the western, southern and central regions of the island get rain from May to July due to the south west monsoon.

Required Clothing
Lightweights and rainwear