March weather forecast
Sri Lanka

March heralds a noticeable transition in Sri Lanka's weather patterns as temperatures begin to climb. Countrywide, average temperatures tend to hover between 19°C (66.2°F) to 25.5°C (77.9°F). However, as seen in preceding months, certain areas, such as Nuwara Eliya in the central highlands, experience a more temperate climate. Here, temperatures typically range from 9.5°C (49.1°F) to 22°C (71.6°F).

While March does not hold the distinction of being the hottest month - that title belongs to April and May - it does serve as a precursor to the intense warmth to come. When juxtaposed with February, March registers higher temperatures and a slight uptick in humidity levels, making the atmosphere feel warmer than previous months.

Rainfall remains moderate but is on the rise. The eastern coast, including areas like Batticaloa, starts to see fewer rain showers as the northeast monsoon tapers off. Conversely, the rest of the country preps for the onset of the southwest monsoon, which typically begins by the end of May.

As the calendar turns to April, Sri Lanka braces for increased temperatures, marking the onset of one of its warmest periods. The buildup of heat in March is a harbinger of the sweltering conditions that April and May will usher in.

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• Colombo - March »
  In Colombo, Sri Lanka, during March, the rain falls for 19.8 days and regularly aggregates up to 66mm (2.6") of precipitation. As spring approaches, March in Colombo witnesses escalating temperature highs and lows, along with increasing daylight hours to 12.1 a day.
• Kandy - March »
  Maintaining the trend from the preceding months, Kandy's March weather remains consistent with the dry season’s pattern, promising ample daylight hours and an agreeable temperature range. Kandy's March weather, marked by an average high temperature of 31.5°C (88.7°F) and an average low temperature of 19.2°C (66.6°F), is the warmest in the year.
• Galle - March »
  February and March, with an average relative humidity of 77%, are the least humid months in Galle, Sri Lanka. During March and April, Galle experiences its average highest temperatures, peaking at 30.3°C (86.5°F).
• Jaffna - March »
  The month with the least rainfall in Jaffna is March, when the rain falls for 5.8 days and typically collects 13mm (0.51") of precipitation. In Jaffna in March, during 5.8 rainfall days, 13mm (0.51") of precipitation is typically accumulated.
• Anuradhapura - March »
  March marks a distinct heightening in relative humidity and temperature in Anuradhapura. In Anuradhapura in March, during 13.9 rainfall days, 43mm (1.69") of precipitation is typically accumulated.
• Nuwara Eliya - March »
  March is the least humid month in Nuwara Eliya, with an average relative humidity of 80%. On the first day of March in Nuwara Eliya, sunrise is at 06:19 and sunset at 18:18.
• Ratnapura - March »
  On the first day of March in Ratnapura sunrise is at 06:20 and sunset at 18:20. The warmest period in Ratnapura tends to be March, when average temperatures fluctuate between a high of 31.1°C (88°F) and a low of 19.7°C (67.5°F).
• Trincomalee - March »
  In March, the average heat index, which represents the influence of relative humidity on air temperature, is estimated at 48°C (118.4°F). March nights in Trincomalee present a stark temperature decrease to a pleasant 21.1°C (70°F).
• Batticaloa - March »
  In Batticaloa during March, the rain falls for 12.8 days and regularly aggregates up to 39mm (1.54") of precipitation. The average heat index, which takes the relative humidity and factors it into the air temperature reading, in March is estimated at 37°C (98.6°F).
• Matara - March »
  In Matara, in March, the average water temperature is 28.9°C (84°F). During March and April, Matara experiences its highest average temperatures, peaking at 31.1°C (88°F).
• Negombo - March »
  Negombo reaches its average highest temperatures in March, measuring 32.1°C (89.8°F) at the peak and 24.5°C (76.1°F) at the lowest. On the first day of March in Negombo sunrise is at 06:23 and sunset at 18:22.
• Badulla - March »
  In Badulla in March, it is raining for 20.8 days, with typically 121mm (4.76") of accumulated precipitation. March is the least humid month in Badulla, with an average relative humidity of 80%.