January weather forecast
Sri Lanka

January is one of the more favorable months for visiting Sri Lanka due to its temperate climate. Across the island, temperatures typically range from 18.3°C (64.9°F) to 23.9°C (75°F). However, notable cities such as Nuwara Eliya, located in the central highlands at an altitude of 1900 meters, experience cooler climes with temperatures between 8.9°C (48°F) and 21.1°C (70°F).

In terms of extremes, January sits on the milder end of the spectrum, especially when compared to the sizzling heat of April and May, which are the hottest months of the year. When juxtaposed with December, January observes slightly warmer temperatures and reduced precipitation, marking it as a drier month in the progression of the year. Furthermore, the eastern coast experiences more rainfall than other regions due to the retreating monsoon, with cities like Batticaloa registering a significant 211mm (8.31") of rainfall at the beginning of the month.

Moving into February, Sri Lanka maintains its pleasant conditions, although the temperatures may marginally rise. The humidity also remains relatively low, particularly when compared to the approaching months dominated by the monsoon seasons.

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• Colombo - January »
  The month with the least rainfall in Colombo is January, when the rain falls for 11.6 days and typically collects 40mm (1.57") of precipitation. January through April, July, September, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 7, are months with the highest UV index in Colombo.
• Kandy - January »
  The months with the highest UV index in Kandy are January through September, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 6. January weather in Kandy, Sri Lanka brings about a fresh start to the year with balanced temperatures as it is not excessively hot nor too cold.
• Galle - January »
  The month with the least rainfall in Galle is January, when the rain falls for 14.8 days and typically collects 38mm (1.5") of precipitation. On the first day of January in Galle sunrise is at 06:18 and sunset at 18:05.
• Jaffna - January »
  The month with the coldest seawater in Jaffna is January, with an average sea temperature of 26.8°C (80.2°F). January, with an average high of 26.8°C (80.2°F) and a low of 25.5°C (77.9°F), signifies the coldest month of the year in Jaffna.
• Anuradhapura - January »
  On the first day of January in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, sunrise is at 06:22 and sunset at 18:01. In Anuradhapura, in January, it is raining for 14.5 days, with typically 31mm (1.22") of accumulated precipitation.
• Nuwara Eliya - January »
  As Nuwara Eliya welcomes January, the average high-temperature is noted at a still warm 25°C (77°F), closely aligning with the preceding month. Celebrate the New Year in spanking style in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka where January offers a pleasant climate with an average high temperature of 25°C (77°F) and an average low of 15.8°C (60.4°F).
• Ratnapura - January »
  January's arrival in Ratnapura registers an average high-temperature of a still moderately hot 29.3°C (84.7°F), closely aligning with the temperature of the previous month. In Ratnapura during January, the rain falls for 18.9 days and regularly aggregates up to 85mm (3.35") of precipitation.
• Trincomalee - January »
  With an average sea temperature of 27.1°C (80.8°F), January is the month with the coldest seawater in Trincomalee. The month with the coldest seawater in Trincomalee is January, with an average sea temperature of 27.1°C (80.8°F).
• Batticaloa - January »
  In Batticaloa during January, the rain falls for 18.7 days and regularly aggregates up to 120mm (4.72") of precipitation. On the first day of January in Batticaloa sunrise is at 06:16 and sunset at 17:57.
• Matara - January »
  The commencement of the year in Matara, Sri Lanka sees a relative increase in rainfall, from 22mm (0.87") in the last month of the previous year to 30mm (1.18") in January. The month with the coldest seawater in Matara is January, with an average sea temperature of 27.7°C (81.9°F).
• Negombo - January »
  The months with the lowest humidity in Negombo are January and February, with an average relative humidity of 73%. The months with the highest UV index in Negombo are January through April, July, September, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 7.
• Badulla - January »
  On the first day of January in Badulla sunrise is at 06:17 and sunset at 18:00. Probing into the month of January, it exhibits the distinctions of remaining the coolest month of the year for Badulla.