Your August weather guide

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Weather in Galle in August

Galle in August suits travellers who want warmth and can accept frequent rain, rather than those counting on sunny beach days. Daytime highs average about 28°C, but there are about 30 rainy days and only 1.9 hours of sunshine a day. The sea is warm enough for swimming, while humid air and warm nights mean little relief from the heat. Go with flexible plans; choose another month if sunshine is central to your holiday.

Long-term climate averages for Galle (south-west coast), not a forecast · 1991-2020

Galle, month by month

Your snapshot

At a glance

The useful details for Galle (south-west coast).

Average daytime high
27.8°C
9 in 10 days stay below 29°C
Average night-time low
24.9°C
coldest 10% of nights: 24°C or lower
Compared with London
+6.4°C
London averages 21.4°C in August
Sea temperature
27.4°C
year to year: 27°C to 28°C
Sunshine per day (est.)
1.9h
16% of 12.2 h of daylight
Rainy days (1 mm+)
30
244 mm over the month
Humidity
86%
Days over 25°C
100%
none over 30°C
Record high 1991-2020
29.5°C
2019-08-03
Record low 1991-2020
23.5°C
1993-08-28
Flight from London
≈ 11 h 48 min
8815 km, long-haul (estimate for a direct flight)

Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.

How August compares

August is the 11th warmest month of the year in Galle and ranks 90th of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Galle is 6.4°C warmer by day and 11.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Galle peaks at 27.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 28.6°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C. Nights average 24.9°C; one night in ten drops to 24.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 29.5°C (2019-08-03) and the coldest night 23.5°C (1993-08-28).

Rain in August

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 30 days with 1 mm or more, 244 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2019 with 473 mm, the driest 2005 with 154 mm. Humidity averages 86%.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 27.4°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.6°C to 28.0°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (29.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 1.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:04 and sets about 18:23 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 84%.

Is August a good time to visit Galle?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Galle on our scoring are March, February, January; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Steady warmth, with humid evenings

August is relatively cool by Galle's standards, yet it will still feel hot coming from the UK. Average daytime highs are 27.8°C, compared with London's 21.4°C, and humidity is 86%. The catch is less about extreme afternoon temperatures than persistent warmth: nights average 24.9°C, so evenings are not much of a cooling-off period. Pack loose, lightweight clothes and look for accommodation with cooling you can rely on. Take breaks around midday if the humidity feels tiring. This weather suits travellers comfortable with warm, damp conditions better than anyone who needs crisp evenings or cool nights to sleep well.

Rain is a regular part of the holiday

With about 30 rainy days, wet weather needs to be part of your plans rather than treated as an occasional interruption. Sunshine averages just 1.9 hours out of 12.2 hours of daylight, so long daylight hours do not translate into long sunny spells. Keep outdoor plans movable, carry rain protection and pack clothes that dry readily. Do not base the trip on an assumption that rain will always clear quickly or arrive at a convenient time. August can work if you are happy to adapt each day, but it is a poor fit for a holiday built around reliable sunbathing.

Warm sea, but weigh up the long journey

The sea averages 27.4°C, making water temperature a clear reason to consider August if you enjoy swimming. That warmth does not establish how calm the sea will be, so judge conditions locally before getting in. For a UK traveller, the bigger decision is how much the weather matters after a flight from London of about 11 h 48 min. If swimming in warm water and avoiding cool weather are enough, August has something to offer. If dependable sunshine is the main reason for travelling so far, the frequent rain and limited sunshine make it harder to recommend.

A little perspective

Galle through the year

August is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.

Monthly climate averages

Swipe sideways on a phone; the month stays in view.

Galle monthly climate averages, 1991-2020; August is the selected month.
MonthDayNightSeaSun/dayRain mmRainy daysDays 25°C+
Januarybest28.4°C23.6°C27.7°C3.911617100%
Februarybest29.2°C23.9°C28.1°C4.710015100%
Marchbest29.8°C24.7°C29.0°C5.111620100%
April29.4°C25.4°C29.5°C3.522627100%
May28.7°C25.6°C28.9°C2.130530100%
June28.3°C25.4°C28.0°C1.826829100%
July27.9°C25.1°C27.4°C1.824430100%
AugustSelected27.8°C24.9°C27.4°C1.924430100%
September27.8°C24.8°C27.9°C2.027528100%
October28.0°C24.6°C28.2°C2.133328100%
November28.1°C24.3°C28.7°C2.236326100%
December28.2°C23.9°C28.2°C3.022122100%

Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.

Day, night and sea

Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020

  • Day
  • Night
  • Sea
Bars show average daytime highs and night-time lows; circles mark the average sea temperature. Same scale for every month. Exact values are in the table.

Best months here

On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.

Keep exploring

Similar in August

Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.

A little more detail

Galle in August FAQs

Plain answers, grounded in the averages.

Is Galle hot in August?

Galle is hot in August: the average daytime high is 27.8°C and nights average 24.9°C. About 100% of August days reach 25°C or more.

Can you swim in the sea in Galle in August?

The sea around Galle averages 27.4°C in August, which is warm enough for most people to swim comfortably. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 27°C to 28°C depending on the year.

How much does it rain in Galle in August?

Galle sees about 30 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 244 mm of rain in a typical August. The wettest August between 1991 and 2020 was 2019 (473 mm) and the driest was 2005 (154 mm).

How sunny is Galle in August?

Galle gets around 1.9 hours of sunshine a day in August out of 12.2 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).

How does Galle compare with the UK in August?

Galle is on average 6.4°C warmer than London by day in August (27.8°C against 21.4°C).

What is the hottest August on record in Galle?

Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day in Galle reached 29.5°C on 2019-08-03, and the coldest night dropped to 23.5°C on 1993-08-28.

How much warmer is Galle than London in August?

Galle's average daytime high is 27.8°C, which is 6.4°C warmer than London's 21.4°C. The humidity also matters: expect warm, damp conditions rather than simply a slightly hotter version of a summer day at home.

Will I need warm clothes in the evening?

For outdoor warmth, heavy layers are unlikely to be useful: the average night low is 24.9°C. Lightweight, breathable clothes are the more practical choice. Rain protection deserves more space in your packing than clothing intended for chilly evenings.

Which months should I consider instead?

March, February and January are the better-rated months for Galle overall. If your dates are flexible and weather is a priority, consider those before August. August's main compromise is frequent rain and limited sunshine, not a lack of warmth.

About these averages

ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020

Averages computed from daily values at Galle (Galle (south-west coast)). Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 2.8 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather