The climate of Ratnapura
Occupying a place in the tropics,
Ratnapura,
Sri Lanka, is subjected to the climate system branded by Köppen as Af, the Tropical Rainforest climate. This system is known for its high temperatures throughout the year and an abundance of rainfall.
The temperatures in Ratnapura are consistently warm, varying minimally between 27.3°C (81.1°F) and 31.1°C (88°F) at their peak and 18.7°C (65.7°F) to 21.8°C (71.2°F) for lows over the course of the year. Their stable nature is due to the town's geographical location close to the equator, which ensures a nearly constant length of the day, deviating between 11.7 hours to 12.5 hours of daylight.
Moving to moisture variables, the relative humidity of this tropical paradise remains fairly high, fluctuating within the confines of 80% to 88%. On the matter of precipitation, each month experiences significant rainfall, ranging right from 85mm (3.35") in
February to a soaking 356mm (14.02") in
October. The number of rain-affected days corresponds appropriately with these amounts, reaching its peak in
May, with about 30 days, and receding to lows around 19-20 days in the drier months.
Climate characterization would not be complete without considering atmospheric pressure, visibility, wind aspects and solar exposure. The pressure fluctuates minimally, with values spanning from 1008.6mb to 1011.6mb over the year. Visibility is, on average, a comfortable 7km (4.3mi) to 8km (5mi), while the wind maintains a calm profile, registering measurements in the region of 4.2km/h (2.6mph) to 8.8km/h (5.5mph). Monthly sunshine duration shifts from a low of 6.2 hours in
August to highs of 8.4 hours in
April. However, the UV index remains steady at 6 throughout.
The best time to visit Ratnapura
For visitors to
Ratnapura wishing to encounter more sunshine and minimal precipitation, the winter months of
December to
February present themselves as the best period. During this time, sunshine averages increase to approximately 8.3 hours per day, while the rainfall subsides to between 85mm (3.35") and 134mm (5.28"). The number of rainfall-affected days falls to the 19-26 days range, precipitating fewer disruptions to outdoor adventures.
The worst time to visit Ratnapura
Conversely, the period from
May to
October could present challenges for travelers due to a surge in rainfall. The precipitation amount builds up to a high, peaking at 357mm (14.06") in October. This uptick in rainfall is accompanied by overcast conditions, resulting in fewer hours of sunshine, ranging from 6.2 hours to 7.1 hours per day.
Spring weather in Ratnapura
The spring months in
Ratnapura are characterized by temperatures hovering between 19.7°C (67.5°F) and 30.7°C (87.3°F), and steady rainfall ranging from 109mm (4.29") to 250mm (9.84"). The city experiences daylight for roughly 12.1 hours to 12.5 hours per day, with a corresponding sunshine exposure varying from 8.3 hours in
March to 7.6 hours in
May.
Summer weather in Ratnapura
Summer, extending from
June to
August, records temperature highs of 27.5°C (81.5°F) and lows of 21.3°C (70.3°F) to 21.8°C (71.2°F). This season is the most humid, with relative humidity hitting the 88% mark. Rainfall is high, placing between 162mm (6.38") and 270mm (10.63"), and the number of rainy days lies around 28-29.
Autumn weather in Ratnapura
In autumn, spanning from
September to
November, temperatures experience a subtle dip with the daily maxima fluctuating between 27.5°C (81.5°F) and 28.5°C (83.3°F) and minima between 20.8°C (69.4°F) and 20.9°C (69.6°F). Precipitation dominates the scene, reaching its peak at 357mm (14.06") accompanied by approximately 28 days with rainfall.
Winter weather in Ratnapura
In the winter months from
December to
February, the city experiences decreased rain, with levels dropping to 85mm (3.35") in December and gradually increasing to 134mm (5.28") by
March. The chill is subtly felt with temperature lows sitting at 18.7°C (65.7°F) to 19.9°C (67.8°F) and highs stretching from 28.4°C (83.1°F) to 30.7°C (87.3°F). With sunshine casting its rays for about 6 to 8.3 hours a day and fewer rainfall days, winter bestow
Ratnapura with an agreeable charm.
Weather in January
With temperatures typically peaking at 29.3°C (84.7°F) and hitting lows of approximately 18.8°C (65.8°F),
January in
Ratnapura,
Sri Lanka, boasts a favoured warm environment. This month witnesses relative humidity lingering around an average of 80%, embellishing the sultry air so characteristic of this part of the globe.
Weather in January »Weather in February
Ratnapura's climate transitions subtly from
January to
February. Although minor, a rise in the temperature up to about 30.7°C (87.3°F) marks the changeover. Rainfall continues to embellish the weather spectrum of Ratnapura in February, with an average of 109mm (4.29") precipitation deposited over 19.8 days of the month.
Weather in February » Weather in March
A continuation of
February's trend,
March ushers slightly greater warmth to
Ratnapura. However, this is also the month that we begin to observe a climb in rainfall figures, reaching an average of 134mm (5.28") spread across a significant 26.3 days.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
Ratnapura greets
April with increased heat, temperatures peaking around 30°C (86°F). A significant surge in rainfall leaves 248mm (9.76") drenched across almost all the days of April. The city also witnesses a dramatic reduction in sunshine hours, marking a stark transition.
Weather in April » Weather in May
In
May,
Ratnapura's weather attributes seem to coalesce around a theme of 'increased'. The temperature does see a slight drop, dipping to an average high of 28.3°C (82.9°F), but everything else on the climatologic front seems to rise.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June brings about a gradual transition in the weather outlook of
Ratnapura. It ushers in slightly cooler temperatures, gustier winds, and marginally less rainfall compared to
May. Visible sunlight recedes further with only a paltry average of 0.6 days intruding through the clouds.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
A general pattern of consistency is noticed as the city of
Ratnapura moves into
July. Temperatures hover around the high 20s in°C adding to the overall scenic setting of this tropical city. Particular attention is drawn to the wind trends, with this month experiencing the highest average wind speeds of 8.8km/h (5.5mph).
Weather in July »Weather in August
In
August,
Ratnapura experiences a slight dip in the temperature compared to the preceding month, alongside a marginal decrease in average wind speeds. The number of rainy days average at a steady 28.8 days, yet another carryover from
July.
Weather in August »Weather in September
The march of the calendar to
September brings a cooler climate to
Ratnapura, with temperatures mirroring those of
August. Regardless, the monsoon influence begins to recede, resulting in somewhat less rainfall spread across slightly fewer days.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October stands out from the lot by encountering the highest rainfall levels of 357mm (14.06") in
Ratnapura's annual weather pattern. Temperatures maintain an average high of 28.5°C (83.3°F), while the high humidity associated with monsoons prevails.
Weather in October » Weather in November
The end of the monsoon months is signaled by the arrival of
November, albeit with an impressive average rainfall of 313mm (12.32"). This roomy, tropical city of
Ratnapura, sticks to a similar pattern of temperature and humidity level as experienced in
October.
Weather in November »Weather in December
Ratnapura concludes the weather cycle with
December, offering some relief from the high precipitation rates of previous months. Boasting a moderate temperature range between 28.4°C (83.1°F) high and 19.9°C (67.8°F) low, along with a mild wind speed of 4.3km/h (2.7mph), adaptation to December's weather comes naturally.
Weather in December »