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

Hambantota, 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
28°
Peak season
24° to 32°
Dry & Pleasant
Still very dry, part of the best window for a visit.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
Peak season
24° to 32°
Dry Season Ends
Still comparatively dry, rounding out the best window, with the heat starting to build.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
25° to 33°
Warmest Month
Among the warmest months of the year, with rain ticking up slightly.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
25° to 33°
Hot & Comparatively Dry
Among the warmest months of the year, still fairly light on rain.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Dry & Windy
Hot and dry, with breezier conditions as the southwest monsoon wind picks up.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, still hot and breezy.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Dry Stretch Continues
Still comparatively dry, rounding out the calmer mid-year stretch.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Rain Builds
Rain starts ticking up as the year moves toward its wettest stretch.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the northeast monsoon sets in.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with an added risk of passing cyclones.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 31°
Deep Monsoon
Still very wet, closing out the year's rainiest stretch.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
69 mm
5 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
71%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
16 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
48 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
71%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
48 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
72%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
91 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
75%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
74 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
41 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
19 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
30 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
75%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
18 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
58 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
18 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
99 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
127 mm
10 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
221 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
132 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 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
Hambantota's dry season and the best time for a visit. January through March is historically the calmest stretch of the year in this dry-zone coastal city.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
This tier spans the rest of the dry-to-transition period, April through September, all comparatively moderate for rain, though the heat builds steadily through this stretch.
Off-peak season: Oct, Nov, Dec
Hambantota's wettest stretch. October through December sees the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year, with November historically the wettest month.
Good to know
🐘
Bundala National Park is close by
This wetland sanctuary, known for elephants and migratory birds, sits just outside the city and is a popular day trip.
🧂
Historic salt pans line the coast
Hambantota's lagoon-side salt pans have been in use for generations and remain a distinctive feature of the local landscape.
🌵
Part of Sri Lanka's dry zone
Hambantota sits in the driest climatic region of the island, with noticeably less rain overall than the west coast or hill country.
🌀
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.
🌡️
Heat builds steadily through the year
Temperatures climb gradually from the cooler dry-season months into a warmer, more humid stretch by April and May.
Top attractions
1
Bundala National Park
A wetland and coastal sanctuary known for elephants, crocodiles, and large numbers of migratory birds during the winter months.
2
Hambantota Salt Pans
Historic lagoon-side salt pans still in active use, with pink-tinged waters visible at certain times of year.
3
Mirijjawila Botanical Garden
A dry-zone botanical garden showcasing plant species adapted to Sri Lanka's drier southern region.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Hambantota?
Hambantota's heaviest rain historically falls from October through December, with November the wettest month, averaging around 221mm across 13 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Hambantota?
January through March is historically Hambantota's dry season and the best window for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Hambantota?
October through December is historically the wettest, most sustained rainy stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Hambantota?
November is historically the wettest month, averaging around 221mm of rain across 13 days.
Which month is the driest in Hambantota?
July is historically the driest month, averaging around 30mm of rain.
How hot does Hambantota get?
April and May are historically tied as the warmest months of the year on average.
What should I pack for Hambantota during the rainy season?
Rain gear is worth having from around October through December.
Is Hambantota part of the dry zone?
Yes. Hambantota sits in Sri Lanka's dry climatic zone, with noticeably less rain overall than the west coast or hill country.
Is Bundala National Park near Hambantota?
Yes. This wetland sanctuary, known for elephants and migratory birds, sits just outside the city and is a popular day trip.
Do cyclones affect Hambantota?
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.