Sri Lanka Colombo Weather in July — Climate Guide
July in Colombo is moderate
July is moderate for Colombo.
July sees the southwest monsoon ease a little in Colombo, with showers but noticeably more dry spells than May and June. It averages a warm, humid 30°C/26°C with moderate rainfall (about 135mm).
The big draw inland is the Esala season: the Kandy Esala Perahera, Sri Lanka's grandest Buddhist procession, typically runs over about ten nights in late July into August, with caparisoned elephants, dancers, drummers, and fire performers around the Temple of the Tooth. Dates follow the lunar calendar, so check the year you travel and book Kandy accommodation early.
Travel score
Colombo July Weather Stats
Avg High
30°C
Avg Low
26°C
Rainy Days
11
135mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
78%
muggy
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
14 km/h
Gusts 28
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
July Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
19 μg/m³
PM10
36 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
36°C
Nighttime
28°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
14 km/h
Max gust 28 km/h
Activities Recommended for July
July Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Drier than May/June with more sun
- Kandy Esala Perahera often begins (late July)
- East coast at its driest
- Mid-range prices and moderate crowds
Cons
- Still some monsoon showers on the coast
- West/south beaches not fully reliable
- High humidity
- Perahera dates shift yearly — verify
July Events & Festivals
- Southwest monsoon eases somewhat — drier than May/June
- Esala Poya (July full moon) — start of the Esala season
- Kandy Esala Perahera often begins (late July/August) — Sri Lanka's grandest procession
- East coast at its driest
Colombo in July — Full Picture
July sees the southwest monsoon ease a little in Colombo, with showers but noticeably more dry spells than May and June. It averages a warm, humid 30°C/26°C with moderate rainfall (about 135mm).
The big draw inland is the Esala season: the Kandy Esala Perahera, Sri Lanka's grandest Buddhist procession, typically runs over about ten nights in late July into August, with caparisoned elephants, dancers, drummers, and fire performers around the Temple of the Tooth. Dates follow the lunar calendar, so check the year you travel and book Kandy accommodation early.
Colombo itself is between seasons — still some rain on the coast, but workable, and prices are mid-range.
Note: the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) is at its driest and best for beaches now. Keep an umbrella handy in Colombo and plan flexibly around showers.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Monsoon eases a little — warm and humid around 30°C/26°C with showers but more drier spells. Light clothing, a compact umbrella, and SPF for the sun. A sarong for temples and a layer for air conditioning.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
31.7°C
25°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
Current30°C
26°C
12/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
30°C
24.3°C
16/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
30.7°C
23°C
8.3/mo
Colombo Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 31° | 23° | 8d·60mm | 8h | 75% | 11 | Busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 31° | 23° | 6d·70mm | 9h | 73% | 12 | Busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 32° | 24° | 8d·110mm | 8.5h | 75% | 12 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 32° | 25° | 14d·230mm | 7.5h | 78% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 26° | 17d·350mm | 6.5h | 80% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 26° | 15d·220mm | 6.5h | 79% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 26° | 11d·135mm | 7h | 78% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 26° | 10d·110mm | 7.5h | 77% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 25° | 12d·160mm | 7h | 78% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 24° | 19d·350mm | 6h | 80% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 24° | 17d·320mm | 6.5h | 80% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 30° | 23° | 11d·150mm | 7.5h | 77% | 11 | Busy | Peak |
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Colombo July Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is July a good time to visit Colombo?
Colombo in July is moderate. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Colombo in July?
Colombo July averages a high of 30°C and a low of 26°C.
Does it rain much in Colombo in July?
Colombo July averages 135mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in Colombo in July?
Monsoon eases a little — warm and humid around 30°C/26°C with showers but more drier spells. Light clothing, a compact umbrella, and SPF for the sun. A sarong for temples and a layer for air conditioning.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Colombo in July?
Colombo July sunrise is 06:05 and sunset is 18:25, with 12h 20min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Colombo in July?
Colombo July air quality (AQI) averages 46, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 19μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Colombo in July?
In July, Colombo is great for Kandy Esala Perahera (late July), East-coast beaches (Arugam Bay surf), City sightseeing between showers.
Is July peak season in Colombo?
Colombo July crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Colombo
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.