Quick answer
Northern Sri Lanka, including Jaffna, its islands, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, has a long dry season from about February to September and a short wet season from about October to December, when the second inter-monsoon and northeast monsoon bring most of the year's rain. Jaffna receives roughly 1,200 to 1,300 mm a year, much of it in October to December. It is hot, with highs of about 33 to 35 °C from April to August, and windy in the summer.
Key takeaways
- The north has a long dry season, roughly February to September.
- Most of the year's rain falls from about October to December.
- Jaffna receives roughly 1,200 to 1,300 mm a year, and Mannar is among the driest places on the island.
- April to August are the hottest months, with highs of about 33 to 35 °C.
- The southwest monsoon brings strong dry wind to the north from June to September.
The region this covers
The north includes the Jaffna peninsula and its islands, such as Delft, Nainativu and Kayts; the mainland districts of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, often called the Vanni; and Mannar island and its coast on the northwest. The land is flat and low, with lagoons, palmyra palms and sandy soil.
The whole region is in the dry zone. Mannar and the northwest coast are among the driest places in Sri Lanka, with roughly 900 to 1,100 mm a year. Mullaitivu, on the northeast coast, is wetter in the northeast monsoon.
The north is flat, so there is no mountain shelter and little difference between inland and coast. The sea around the peninsula is shallow and warm, roughly 27 to 30 °C, and lagoons such as the Jaffna lagoon and Chundikulam are calm for much of the year, apart from the windiest summer weeks and the monsoon storms.
The long dry season: February to September
From about February to September, the north is dry. February and March are pleasant, with warm days around 30 to 32 °C and cool-ish nights. From April, the heat builds to about 33 to 35 °C by day, and nights stay warm.
From June to September, the southwest monsoon wind crosses the island and arrives in the north as a strong, dry wind. It raises dust and makes the lagoons choppy, but it also takes the edge off the heat. Rain is rare, often less than 30 mm a month in June and July.
The dry season is also the festival season in the north. The Nallur temple festival in Jaffna usually runs for about 25 days in August and September, in hot, dry and windy weather, and draws large crowds. Evening processions are cooler than the middle of the day.
- →Most pleasant: February and March.
- →Hottest: April to August.
- →Windiest: June to September.
The short wet season: October to December
The north gets most of its rain in about three months. Storms start in October, and the northeast monsoon follows in November and December, the wettest months. Jaffna averages roughly 300 to 400 mm in November. When a depression or cyclone passes from the Bay of Bengal, rain can fall heavily for days.
Low roads in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu can flood, and ferries to the islands may stop in rough weather. January is drying, with occasional showers.
- →Storms begin: October.
- →Wettest: November and December.
- →Drying: January.
The sea and the islands
The north's sea is shallow and partly sheltered. Casuarina Beach and the beaches of the islands are calmest from about March to May and in September, between the two monsoon winds. The summer southwest wind can make crossings to Delft and Nainativu choppy, and the northeast monsoon makes them rough or cancels them.
Mannar's Talaimannar and the Adam's Bridge shoals are best visited in the calmer months.
- →Calmest: March to May, September.
- →Choppy: June to August.
- →Rough: November to January.
When to visit the north
February to September is the time to visit the north, with February to April the most comfortable. A trip in the summer months combines well with the east coast, which is also in season. Bring sun protection and plan walks for early morning and late afternoon.
Lankan Stays & Trails plans northern trips from February to September and avoids island ferry days in the wettest months.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit northern Sri Lanka?
February to September, when the north is dry. February to April are the most comfortable, with warm but not extreme heat. June to September are dry and windy and combine well with the east coast. October to December is the wet season.
When is the rainy season in Jaffna?
Jaffna's rainy season runs from about October to December, with November and December the wettest months. Most of its roughly 1,200 to 1,300 mm of annual rain falls in this period. January is drying, and February to September is mostly dry.
How hot is the north of Sri Lanka?
Daytime highs are about 30 to 32 °C in February and March and about 33 to 35 °C from April to August, with warm nights. The north is among the hottest regions of the island. Strong summer wind from June to September makes the heat easier to bear.
Is Mannar dry?
Yes. Mannar and the northwest coast are among the driest places in Sri Lanka, with roughly 900 to 1,100 mm of rain a year, most of it from October to December. The rest of the year is dry, hot and often windy.
Can you visit the Jaffna islands all year?
Ferries to islands such as Nainativu and Delft run most of the year, but crossings can be choppy in the summer wind and rough or cancelled in the northeast monsoon from November to January. March to May and September are usually the calmest months.
Is the north of Sri Lanka affected by cyclones?
The north and northeast are among the parts of Sri Lanka most exposed to Bay of Bengal storms, which are most common from October to December. Most pass to the north, but some bring days of heavy rain and flooding. Watch forecasts if travelling at that time.
How does Lankan Stays & Trails plan trips to the north?
Northern trips are planned from February to September, often combined with the east coast in the summer months. Walks and temple visits are scheduled for mornings and late afternoons, and island ferry days are avoided in the wettest months.
Is August a good time to visit Jaffna?
Yes, for travellers who handle heat. August is dry, hot and windy in Jaffna, with highs of about 34 °C, and the Nallur temple festival usually runs through August and into September. Plan temple visits and walks for early morning and evening, and combine the north with the east coast.