Bentota has a tropical climate governed by monsoon winds. It is hot, always around 30°C in the day, and humid. Rainfall is generally quite high with two peak rainy seasons. Bentotal sits on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka and was almost entirely devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami but much work has been done to resurrect the town as a seaside resort.
Southwest Monsoon Season: Mid May â" October
Bentotaâs location on the southwest coast put it right in the path of the monsoon winds as they first arrive in Sri Lanka. The winds originate in Africa and pick up moisture as they travel over the Indian Ocean and bay of Bengal. Rainfall peaks at the beginning and end of the season when almost 400mm can fall in a month. Rain usually falls in brief but heavy storms that can even develop into tropical cyclones. Flash flooding is common. The storms are usually strongest in May when humidity is also at its most stifling. There is a lull in rainfall in July and August. Rainfall during these months is less frequent but still very heavy when it comes.
Temperatures fall slightly throughout the season, starting at an average high of 30°C in May and working down to 28°C in October. Night time temperatures fall from the mid to the low 20s but high humidity means this can still be uncomfortable. Throughout the period only six hours of sunshine can be expected per day as threatening clouds often linger in the sky till they are finally relieved of their rain. The sea temperature is coolest between July and September at 27°C.
First Inter-Monsoon Season: October & November
The monsoon rains recede but linger in Bentota and its surrounding resorts the longest due to their location. Rainfall levels remain exceptionally high. Squalls, sudden, violent wind, is common.
Northeast Monsoon Season: December â" March
As the monsoon winds from the northeast start to blow Bentota dries out. Rainfall levels decrease as rain falls mostly on northeast regions of Sri Lanka before the winds reach the resort. This allows for clearer skies and so an extra few hours of sunshine per day. The average high temperature creeps up again, getting to 31°C from February till March. Lower humidity levels help to keep this more bearable. January and February are the best months to visit Bentota due to the low rainfall and reliable sunshine. Rainfall increases again at the end of the season.
Second Inter-Monsoon Season: March â" Mid May
As the southwest monsoon winds begin their return, rainfall increases again, usually falling in evening thunderstorms.
While rain is the dominant feature of Bentotaâs weather, the brevity of these storms means that a great deal of sunshine is to be enjoyed. Outside of the peak rainfall months rain will come as a relief from the heat and provide a dramatic interlude to your seaside tranquillity. Visiting the tropics always takes some acclimatisation, but it is more than worth it for the exotic landscape and contrast in culture when compared many climatically easier destinations.