Sri Lanka weather
Our guide to the weather in Sri Lanka during March
Sri Lanka is a diverse and vibrant destination offering a wealth of cultural, historical and natural attractions. March is a good time to visit, with generally warm and sunny weather. We've looked at the most up-to-date weather data for Sri Lanka, covering the last 12 years up to 2024, plus we've asked our team of travel bloggers for their first-hand experiences in order to answer the most frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka weather in March.
How hot is it in Sri Lanka during March?
March is typically the hottest month in Sri Lanka. The temperature hits about 32℃ during the day, falling away to a balmy 25℃ at night. Of course, the high humidity will make it feel even hotter. The UV index will be high at this time of year, so protection against skin and eye damage is needed. Try to limit exposure between 10am and 4pm. Apply broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every few hours, even if it's cloudy, or more frequently after sweating or swimming, and wear UV-blocking sunglasses too, and bear in mind that bright surfaces, such as sand and water increase UV exposure.
Does it rain in Sri Lanka during March?
On average, there will be 9 rainy days during the month, amounting to 143.7mm in total. That's a significant amount of rain. For comparison, the wettest months in the UK typically sees between 80mm and 100mm, depending on where you are. Due to the high temperature and humidity, you might expect lots of thunderstorms, however they're actually fairly infrequent at this time of year. On average, March will see just 2 days that produce a storm.
Is it windy in Sri Lanka during March?
You're unlikely to experience any strong winds. Expect a light breeze that picks up slightly at times in March. The high humidity and warm temperature will make the breeze feel warm, so any cooling effect will be limted.
How warm is the sea in Sri Lanka during March?
The water around Sri Lanka reaches a very pleasant 29℃ during March. This is very warm, and will feel bath-like. People who normally feel the cold will find this temperature perfectly acceptable. The hot air temperature and relatively high humidity will mean that you will feel comfortably warm when coming out of the water.
Sri Lanka Blog posts
From the Ireland's most popular travel bloggers
How to travel Sri Lanka in 2022
12th March 2022 by Journalist On The Run
A practical video about traveling in Sri Lanka in 2022 including travel restrictions and guidelines, what it's like in Sri Lanka right now, best places to stay and visit and why I love traveling here so much!...
Best beach in Sri Lanka?
2nd March 2022 by Journalist On The Run
Exploring Dalawella Beach and Unawatuna, Sri Lanka.......
Street food in GALLE, SRI LANKA
28th February 2022 by Journalist On The Run
Exploring the beautiful old town of Galle, Sri Lanka.......
Sri Lanka south coast
2nd May 2018 by The Daily S'elf
Sri Lanka is one of those destinations that always felt a little too far off, too exotic. A place backpackers travelled, but not as accessible to your regular holiday-goer. How wrong I was, in fact the journey itself was a lot shorter than I ever expected. I joined G Adventures week long Sri Lanka South Coast Sailing trip at the end of March. Flying with Emirates, I travelled from Dublin to Colombo in Sri Lanka via Dubai, the total trip only taking around 12-13 hours....
Weather in Sri Lanka
Our month-by-month guide to the weather and climate in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka weather in
JanuarySri Lanka weather in
FebruarySri Lanka weather in
MarchSri Lanka weather in
AprilSri Lanka weather in
MaySri Lanka weather in
JuneSri Lanka weather in
JulySri Lanka weather in
AugustSri Lanka weather in
SeptemberSri Lanka weather in
OctoberSri Lanka weather in
NovemberSri Lanka weather in
December