Is It Monsoon in Galle, Sri Lanka? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Galle, Sri Lanka JANUARY
27°
Peak season
23° to 31°
Dry Season Begins
Comparatively dry and calm, the start of the best window for a visit.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
27°
Peak season
23° to 31°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, still part of the best window.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
Peak season
24° to 32°
Heat Builds
Still fairly dry, part of the best window, with the heat starting to build.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
First Rains, Warmest Month
The warmest month of the year on average, as the first of two rainy periods sets in.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
First Rains Peak
Among the wettest months of the year, deep in the first rainy period.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Southwest Monsoon
Still very wet, as the southwest monsoon holds on.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Shoulder season
23° to 31°
Rain Eases Slightly
Rain eases a little, though the sea often runs rougher as the monsoon wind picks up.
🌊 Rougher seas possible☔ Umbrella handy
27°
Shoulder season
23° to 31°
Comparatively Calmer
A relatively quieter stretch for rain, though still part of the wetter half of the year.
🌊 Rougher seas possible☔ Umbrella handy
27°
Shoulder season
23° to 31°
Second Rains Begin
The second rainy period sets in, with rain a near-daily presence again.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, deep in the second rainy period.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Shoulder season
23° to 31°
Deep Rains
Nearly as wet as October, with an added risk of passing cyclones.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Shoulder season
23° to 31°
Rains Ease
Rain eases as the year winds down toward the dry season.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
86 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
71 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
89 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
203 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
315 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
183 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
173 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
163 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
262 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
343 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
282 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
175 mm
11 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Seasons at a glance
🌟
Peak season: Jan, Feb, Mar
Galle's dry season and the best time for a visit. January through March is historically the calmest stretch of the year on this stretch of coast, before the southwest monsoon's rains build.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Apr, Jul, Aug, Sep, Nov, Dec
This tier spans the edges of the two wetter periods, April, July, August, September, November, and December, all comparatively moderate for rain compared to the true wet-season peaks.
Off-peak season: May, Jun, Oct
Galle's wettest stretch. May and June see the first rainy period reach its height, while October, historically the wettest month, anchors a second, shorter surge of rain later in the year.
Good to know
🏰
Home to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
This 16th-century fort, built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch, remains the heart of the old city, its ramparts open for walking at any time of year.
🌊
Rain arrives in two separate waves
Like much of Sri Lanka's west and south coasts, Galle sees two distinct rainy periods, April to June and September to December, rather than one single monsoon season.
🏖️
Unawatuna Beach is a short trip away
This popular curved bay, known for calmer swimming waters than much of the coast, sits just a few kilometers from Galle Fort.
🌀
Cyclones can occasionally affect Sri Lanka
The island is usually affected by tropical cyclones in November and December, and more rarely in May, when storms forming in the Bay of Bengal can bring heavy rain.
🏛️
A blend of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences
Galle Fort's architecture layers colonial-era buildings from all three periods, still lived in and used today rather than preserved as a museum piece.
Top attractions
1
Galle Fort
A UNESCO World Heritage fort built by the Portuguese and expanded by the Dutch, its ramparts, lighthouse, and old-town streets still lived in today.
2
Unawatuna Beach
A popular curved bay just outside the fort walls, known for calmer, more sheltered swimming waters than much of the surrounding coast.
3
Japanese Peace Pagoda
A large white stupa on a hill overlooking Unawatuna Bay, reachable by a short uphill walk with sweeping coastal views.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Galle?
Galle sees two separate rainy periods, similar to Colombo, roughly April through June and September through November, with October historically the wettest month, averaging around 343mm across 18 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Galle?
January through March is historically Galle's dry season and the best window for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Galle?
May, June, and October are historically among the wettest months of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Galle?
October is historically the wettest month, averaging around 343mm of rain across 18 days.
Which month is the driest in Galle?
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 71mm of rain.
How hot does Galle get?
April is historically the warmest month on average, though temperatures stay fairly consistent year-round on this stretch of coast.
What should I pack for Galle during the rainy season?
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having from around April through June, and again from September through November.
Is Galle Fort worth visiting in the rain?
Galle Fort's ramparts and old-town streets can be walked in any season, though the fort's coastal viewpoints are more comfortable during the drier months.
Is Unawatuna Beach near Galle?
Yes. Unawatuna, a popular curved bay with calmer swimming waters than much of the coast, sits just a few kilometers from Galle Fort.
Do cyclones affect Galle?
Occasionally. Sri Lanka is usually affected by tropical cyclones in November and December, and more rarely in May, when storms forming in the Bay of Bengal can bring heavy rain.