Sri Lanka Colombo Weather in March — Climate Guide
March in Colombo is high
March is high for Colombo.
March closes out Colombo's dry season — still warm and largely sunny, with the heat ticking up and the first afternoon showers beginning to build. It averages 32°C/24°C with moderate rainfall (about 110mm).
It's a good-value shoulder window: the weather is mostly reliable for the city and the south/west coasts, but prices ease a little from the January-February peak as the season turns. Galle, the beaches, and late-season whale watching off Mirissa are still on.
Travel score
Colombo March Weather Stats
Avg High
32°C
Avg Low
24°C
Rainy Days
8
110mm total
Sunshine
8.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
muggy
UV Index
12
Extreme
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 20
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
March Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
24 μg/m³
PM10
44 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
38°C
Nighttime
26°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for March
March Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Still mostly sunny, tail of the dry season
- Prices ease from the peak
- Late-season whale watching off Mirissa
- Good beach and Galle conditions
Cons
- Often the hottest month
- Afternoon showers begin building
- Extreme UV and high humidity
- Inter-monsoon rain nears late March
March Events & Festivals
- Tail of the dry season — still mostly sunny
- Medin Poya full-moon day
- Maha Sivarathri (Hindu festival, date varies)
- Good beach weather before the April inter-monsoon
Colombo in March — Full Picture
March closes out Colombo's dry season — still warm and largely sunny, with the heat ticking up and the first afternoon showers beginning to build. It averages 32°C/24°C with moderate rainfall (about 110mm).
It's a good-value shoulder window: the weather is mostly reliable for the city and the south/west coasts, but prices ease a little from the January-February peak as the season turns. Galle, the beaches, and late-season whale watching off Mirissa are still on.
The first to second half of March is typically drier than the end, when the inter-monsoon transition brings more thundery afternoon rain.
Note: March is often the hottest month, with extreme UV. Plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings, hydrate constantly, and carry a small umbrella for sudden late-day downpours.
What to Wear & What to Pack
End of the dry season — slightly hotter at around 32°C/24°C with sun and the first build-up of afternoon showers. Light clothing, hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ (extreme UV), and a compact umbrella for the occasional late-day shower.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current31.7°C
25°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
30°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 |
View Other Months
Colombo March Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit Colombo?
Colombo in March is high. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Colombo in March?
Colombo March averages a high of 32°C and a low of 24°C.
Does it rain much in Colombo in March?
Colombo March averages 110mm of rainfall over about 8 rainy days.
What should I wear in Colombo in March?
End of the dry season — slightly hotter at around 32°C/24°C with sun and the first build-up of afternoon showers. Light clothing, hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ (extreme UV), and a compact umbrella for the occasional late-day shower.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Colombo in March?
Colombo March sunrise is 06:15 and sunset is 18:15, with 12h 00min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Colombo in March?
Colombo March air quality (AQI) averages 56, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 24μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Colombo in March?
In March, Colombo is great for Galle Fort and south-coast beaches, Late-season whale watching, Early-morning city sightseeing.
Is March peak season in Colombo?
Colombo March crowds are busy and prices are shoulder. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
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.