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

Negombo, Sri Lanka JANUARY
27°
★★★
Peak season
23° to 32°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, part of the best window for a visit.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
★★★
Peak season
23° to 32°
Dry & Pleasant
Still very dry, part of the best window for a visit.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
★★★
Peak season
24° to 33°
Dry Season Ends
Still part of the best window into mid-month, with rain and heat both building.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 33°
First Rains
The first rainy period sets in, hot and increasingly humid.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
29°
★★★
Off-peak season
25° to 31°
Hottest & Wet
The hottest month of the year on average, deep in the first rainy period.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 31°
Southwest Monsoon
Still wet, as the southwest monsoon settles in.
☔ Heavy rain gear🌊 Rougher seas possible
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 31°
Rain Eases
Rain eases somewhat, though the sea often runs rougher as the monsoon wind picks up.
🌊 Rougher seas possible☔ Umbrella handy
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 30°
Comparatively Calmer
A relatively quieter stretch for rain, though the sea can still run rough.
🌊 Rougher seas possible☔ Umbrella handy
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
26° 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
24° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, deep in the second rainy period.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° 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 32°
Rains Ease
Rain eases by mid-month as the second rainy period winds down.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
53 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
56 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
72%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
104 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
216 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
282 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
157 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
16 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
91 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
16 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
97 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
16 km/h
Noticeable breeze
Rainfall
213 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
14 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
363 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
305 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
132 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
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, Mar
Negombo's dry season and the best time for a visit. January to late February or mid-March is historically the most reliable stretch, close to the international airport and popular for a first or last night in Sri Lanka.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Dec
This tier spans the rest of the year outside the true wet and dry extremes, April, June, July, August, September, and December, a mix of moderate and occasionally heavier rain.
☔
Off-peak season: May, Oct, Nov
Negombo's wettest stretch. May sees the first rainy period reach its height, while October and November anchor a second, longer and generally wetter stretch later in the year.
Good to know
✈️
Sri Lanka's main gateway city
Negombo sits just a few kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport, making it a popular first or last stop for travelers.
🎣
A historic fishing town
Negombo's lagoon and fish market remain central to daily life, with colorful outrigger boats a common sight along the coast.
⛪
Known as Sri Lanka's 'Little Rome'
Negombo has a strong Catholic heritage dating to the Portuguese era, reflected in its many churches and religious festivals.
🚤
Dutch-era canals still run through town
A network of canals built during the Dutch colonial period once moved goods inland and remains a feature of the local landscape.
🌀
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
Negombo Beach
A long stretch of sand lined with hotels and guesthouses, popular for its convenience near the international airport.
2
Negombo Lagoon & Fish Market
A working lagoon and early-morning fish market where colorful outrigger boats bring in the daily catch.
3
St. Mary's Church & the Dutch Canal
One of Negombo's grandest churches, reflecting the town's Catholic heritage, near the historic Dutch-era canal that once moved goods inland.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Negombo?›
Negombo sees its wettest stretches around May and again from September through mid-December, with October historically the wettest month, averaging around 363mm across 18 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Negombo?›
January to late February or mid-March is historically Negombo's dry season and the best window for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Negombo?›
May, October, and November are historically among the wettest months of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Negombo?›
October is historically the wettest month, averaging around 363mm of rain across 18 days.
Which month is the driest in Negombo?›
January is historically the driest month, averaging around 53mm of rain.
How hot does Negombo get?›
May is historically the warmest month of the year on average.
What should I pack for Negombo during the rainy season?›
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having from around April through December, especially in May, October, and November.
Is Negombo close to the airport?›
Yes. Negombo sits just a few kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport, making it a popular first or last stop for travelers to Sri Lanka.
Why is Negombo called 'Little Rome'?›
Negombo has a strong Catholic heritage dating to the Portuguese colonial era, reflected in its many churches and religious festivals.
Do cyclones affect Negombo?›
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.