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

Jaffna, Sri Lanka JANUARY
26°
Peak season
22° to 31°
Coolest & Dry
The coolest month of the year, part of the best window for a visit.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
26°
Peak season
22° to 31°
Driest of the Best
Among the driest months of the year, dry and comfortable.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Heat Builds
Still fairly dry, with the hot season beginning to set in.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
Shoulder season
26° to 35°
Hot & Dry
Among the hottest months of the year, part of a hot, mostly dry stretch.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
Shoulder season
26° to 35°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year on average, still comparatively dry.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
Shoulder season
26° to 35°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, hot and dry with breezier conditions.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
Peak season
26° to 35°
Second Dry Window
One of the year's driest months, part of a second good window for a visit.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
25° to 34°
Still Fairly Dry
Still comparatively dry, though rain ticks up a little.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
25° to 34°
Rain Builds
Rain ticks up further as the year moves toward its wettest stretch.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 33°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the northeast monsoon sets in.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 32°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year by a wide margin, with an added risk of passing cyclones.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
26°
Off-peak season
22° 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
43 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
25 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
43 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9.5 hrs/day
73% of daylight hours
Humidity
71%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
66 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
75%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
66 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
18 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
74%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
18 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
23 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
72%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
56 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
81 mm
5 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
236 mm
12 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
437 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
274 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 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, Jul
Jaffna's driest stretch. January, February, and July are historically the calmest months for rain in this northern peninsula city, sheltered from the direct southwest monsoon by neighboring India.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep
This tier spans the rest of the year outside the true wet and dry extremes, March through June, plus August and September, when the year's heat builds toward its peak.
Off-peak season: Oct, Nov, Dec
Jaffna's wettest stretch. October through December sees the heaviest, most concentrated rain of the year, with November historically the wettest month by a wide margin.
Good to know
🛕
Home to Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
One of Sri Lanka's most important Hindu temples, this Jaffna landmark hosts a major annual festival drawing large crowds of pilgrims.
🌏
Sheltered from the southwest monsoon by India
Jaffna's position on Sri Lanka's northern peninsula puts it in the shadow of neighboring India, which blocks much of the direct rain from the southwest monsoon that soaks the rest of the island.
🌡️
The hottest stretch runs March to May
Temperatures climb steadily through the dry season, peaking just before the northeast monsoon brings the year's heaviest rain.
🌴
Known for its palmyra palms
The Jaffna peninsula's dry, sandy soil supports extensive palmyra palm cultivation, a defining feature of the local landscape and cuisine.
🌀
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.
Top attractions
1
Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
One of Sri Lanka's most significant Hindu temples, known for its ornate gopuram tower and a major annual festival.
2
Jaffna Fort
A large Dutch-built coastal fort, one of the largest of its kind in Asia, with the old town and lagoon visible from its ramparts.
3
Casuarina Beach
A calm, shallow-water beach on the peninsula, popular for swimming thanks to its unusually gentle, sandbar-protected waters.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Jaffna?
Jaffna's heaviest rain historically falls from October through December, with November the wettest month, averaging around 437mm across 17 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Jaffna?
January, February, and July are historically Jaffna's driest, calmest months for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Jaffna?
October through December is historically the wettest, most concentrated rainy stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Jaffna?
November is historically the wettest month, averaging around 437mm of rain across 17 days.
Which month is the driest in Jaffna?
June is historically the driest month, averaging around 18mm of rain.
How hot does Jaffna get?
May is historically the hottest month of the year on average, part of a hot stretch that runs from March to May.
What should I pack for Jaffna during the rainy season?
Rain gear is worth having from around October through December, and sun protection is worth packing year-round given the heat.
Why is Jaffna drier than much of Sri Lanka?
Jaffna's position on Sri Lanka's northern peninsula puts it in the shadow of neighboring India, which blocks much of the direct rain from the southwest monsoon that soaks the rest of the island.
Is Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna?
Yes. It's one of Sri Lanka's most important Hindu temples and hosts a major annual festival drawing large crowds of pilgrims.
Do cyclones affect Jaffna?
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.