Sri Lanka is beautiful Island in the
Indian Ocean, to the south of the Indian subcontinent which lies close to
the equator. As a result of its location along the equatorial zone it has a
tropical climate which varies with the regions and the seasons. The country
has an annual average temperature between 26-28 degree celcius however the
temperature in the highlands fall down to 14-16 degree celcius. The seasons
of Sri Lanka have quite an influence of the monsoons thus giving this
resplendent island two distinct seasons wet (Monsoonal season) and dry
(Summer and winter season).
Wet
(Monsoonal season)
There are two monsoonal seasons in Sri Lanka which have been named 'Yala
season' (the southwest monsoon) and 'Maha Season' (the northeast monsoon) in
Lankan language.
Yala season (the southwest monsoon)
Yala season lasts from mid of May to October. During these months the
southwest monsoons bring down heavy rainfall along the southern and western
coastal belt which includes famous places like Colombo, Negombo, Galle,
Ratnapura, Mt. Lavina. Also the central highlands of places like Kandy,
Matale, receive rainfall in this season while the northern and eastern parts
of the country are left dry with little rainfall. Here some mountain slopes
are inundated with 250cms of rain every month.
Maha season (the northeast monsoon)
Maha season lasts from December to March. During these months the northeast
monsoons bring down heavy downpours in the northeast region which includes
famous places like Trincomalee, Baticaloa, Badulla, Mannar while the
southern and western parts of the country are now left dry with little
rainfall. The mountain slopes here receive 125cms of rainfall every month.
Dry (Summer season and winter season)
In summers the temperature soars upto 37 degree celcius causing the
humidity to be 80% along the coastal belt. Months from February to May are
hot, May being the hottest month in the year.
In winters however the temperature falls down to 22-30 degree celcius and
even lower in central highlands going down to 14-16 degree celcius. From
November to January the climate is cool here, January being the coolest
month.
