Is the weather good in Sri Lanka in May 2025?
For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Sri Lanka during May have been around +30°C.
In Sri Lanka the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +30°C in Colombo to +30°C in Colombo. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in May
- rainiest? Colombo, with an average of 9 mm of rain and humidity of 84%;
- warmest? Colombo, with daytime temperatures averaging +30°C;
- windiest? Colombo, with an average of 3 m/s;
- coolest? Colombo, with daytime temperatures averaging +30°C;
How good is the weather in Sri Lanka in May?
How warm is it in Sri Lanka during May?
This is how hot it usually is in May
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +30°C;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +26°C;
- Highest monthly temperature: +31°C;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +26°C;
Monthly temperatures:
- Warmest: January with an average +31°C during the day;
- Coldest: June with an average +29°C of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: January in Colombo;
- Coldest month in coolest city: June in Colombo;
Can you swim in Sri Lanka in May?
Winds in Sri Lanka during May
May tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in May:
- Highest average wind speed: Colombo with 3 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Colombo with 3 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Colombo with 4 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Colombo with 2 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Sri Lanka in May
Comparison between cities in May:
- Highest average rainfall: Colombo with 276 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Colombo with 276 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Colombo with 23 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Colombo with 23 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Colombo with 74%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Colombo with 74%;
- Highest average humidity: Colombo with 84%;
- Lowest average humidity: Colombo with 84%;
Tips for traveling to Sri Lanka in May
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Sri Lanka? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Sri Lanka based on the weather that May is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
Pack right for May
- For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
- Warm - neither hot nor cool, are probably the most comfortable when you think of sunbathing. Shorts, shorter skirts or dresses, tank tops and t-shirts are the basics here. If you're going to a seaside resort, don't forget your swimwear and maybe even a snorkel, mask and flippers.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
What can you do outside when it's warm in Sri Lanka?
Is May a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
Monthly weather in Sri Lanka
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Sri Lanka, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.