Sri Lanka · WinterMonth summary
Sri Lanka weather in January
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
21°C – 28°C
🌧 Rainy days
56% of days
☀️ Sunshine
10.1h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
7.5/10
📅 📅 Best month
February (7.8/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Sri Lanka in January?
✅ Good
✅ Yes if: you're willing to accept showers in exchange for lower prices and fewer tourists.
❌ No if: you're planning 100% outdoor activities — rain is frequent.
Our take: Favourable conditions in January (7.5/10). February scores higher but the gap is small.
By trip type
Sri Lanka in January by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ✅ Good
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ✅ Good
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ✅ Good
- 💰 💰 Budget : 💸 Peak season
Local context
What to expect in January
🎯 Peak cultural season — museums and sites accessible in good weather conditions Even in winter, Sri Lanka enjoys 28°C. A real asset for escaping the European cold. With 56% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if February (7.8/10) remains theoretically better.
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All months for Sri Lanka
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌤️ January | 21°C | 28°C | 56% | 4.9 | 10.1h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ February | 22°C | 29°C | 45% | 2.6 | 10.8h | 7.8/10 |
| 🌤️ March | 22°C | 31°C | 43% | 2.6 | 11.1h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 24°C | 33°C | 58% | 4.0 | 11.0h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 25°C | 32°C | 50% | 5.4 | 10.9h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 25°C | 32°C | 26% | 0.8 | 11.0h | 7.8/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 25°C | 32°C | 33% | 1.1 | 11.0h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 24°C | 32°C | 39% | 1.6 | 11.0h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 24°C | 32°C | 49% | 2.7 | 11.0h | 7.3/10 |
| ⛅ October | 23°C | 30°C | 74% | 7.8 | 9.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌧️ November | 22°C | 29°C | 84% | 11.9 | 8.0h | 7.0/10 |
| ⛅ December | 22°C | 28°C | 72% | 7.6 | 9.6h | 7.2/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In January, Sri Lanka averages 28°C, 56% rainy days and 10.1h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 7.5/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
January vs February (best month)
The best month is February (score 7.8/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +1°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -11%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +0.7h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Sri Lanka in January
Is January a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
January is an excellent time to visit Sri Lanka (score 7.5/10). With 28°C, 10.1h of sunshine and 56% rain, conditions are very favourable.
Does it rain a lot in Sri Lanka in January?
Yes, 56% of days see rain in January. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Sri Lanka
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