Due to its nearness to the Equator, the climate in our island is distinctly tropical with no demarcated seasons to speak of and generally warm temperatures enjoyed across the country. However, climatic variations do occur depending on the lay of the land.
The central highlands are much cooler than the plains and being high up on the mountains you will find that the weather in Nuwara Eliya is generally colder than the coastal areas with the air being crisp and fresh. Average temperatures at these heights (Nuwara Eliya is over 6000 ft above sea level) vary between 23° C or less during the day and dropping to around 10° C or lower at night. It can certainly get a lot colder during some months towards the end of the year when light ground frosts can occur specially at night.
Nuwara Eliya was referred to as ‘Little England’ during the colonial days and it was thus named mainly due to the similarity of the weather – the bracing air, and of course the abundant rainfall. Whilst this may still be so, you will find that the tropical sun and its glorious warmth are never too far behind the shifting clouds, eager to brighten up your days in the hills. So here, you can have the best of all weather, sunshine and rain.
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