Kandy Weather in November: Rain Days and What to Pack

What is the weather like in Kandy in November?

Quick answer: Wet and warm. At the Katugastota weather station near Kandy, November averages 268.9 mm of rain on 16.5 rain days, which makes it the second wettest month of the year after October. Days are mild, with a typical high of 28.8 C and a low of 20.5 C. The Department of Meteorology expects above-normal rain across most of Sri Lanka in November 2026, so plan every day with a dry option and a wet option.

Kandy sits at about 500 m in the central hills, and the Katugastota station is at 477 m. That height keeps it cooler than the coast. It does not keep it dry. Our hill country altitude and weather guide explains how height changes temperature and mist across the highlands.

How does November compare with October and December in Kandy?

November sits in the middle of Kandy's wettest stretch. The second inter-monsoon brings heavy showers across the island in October and November, and Sri Lanka Tourism describes it as a period of occasional heavy showers.

Source: WMO 1991 to 2020 normals for Katugastota (43444), via NOAA. Rain eases into December but the month is still wet.

A note on two sets of numbers. Our Sri Lanka in November guide gives Kandy at 327 mm for November, which is the Department of Meteorology's average for the whole Kandy district. The 268.9 mm here is one station. Both are long-term averages. Use the district figure for the wider area and the station figure for the town and its immediate surroundings.

Is Kandy wetter than Colombo or Nuwara Eliya in November?

In rain days, Kandy is about the same as the others. In millimetres it is less wet than Colombo. Here is the comparison from the same normals:

The lesson is that going up does not mean going dry. Nuwara Eliya has fewer millimetres but is cold, with a typical high of 19.8 C, and it has more rain days than Kandy. If you are choosing between hill towns, read our Nuwara Eliya page. If you are comparing months across the island, read our best time to visit Sri Lanka guide.

When are the drier months in Kandy?

If your dates are flexible, the normals say to avoid October and November and aim for the first quarter of the year.

February is the driest month in the table, with 6.1 rain days. It is also warmer: March has the highest average high, at 32.0 C. Our monsoon seasons guide explains the inter-monsoon periods that bring the late-year rain.

What time are sunrise and sunset in Kandy in November?

Daylight is about 11 hours 44 to 52 minutes through November. Sunset barely moves, which is useful when you plan a late visit.

Source: timeanddate for Kandy, November 2026, fetched 24 October 2026. The earliest sunset of the month is on 12 or 13 November. We have no hourly rainfall record for Kandy, so we cannot tell you which hours of the day are driest. Plan for rain at any hour.

How do I plan a Kandy day around the rain?

Because we cannot say when rain falls, build the day so that a shower does not wreck it. Use this table as a decision rule.

The temple's own site says it is open every day from 5.30 am to 8.00 pm. Its daily service page describes an early morning service, a mid-day service from about 9.30 am and an evening service from about 6.30 pm. Our temple page gives the timetable in full, and the temple's pages are the place to confirm times on the day. The UK Foreign Office says visitors to Buddhist temples take off shoes and hats and cover their legs and shoulders. Read our pages on the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the sacred city of Kandy and visiting sacred sites before you go.

Two dates matter in November 2026 for public holidays, per the Central Bank of Sri Lanka's list as shown in our Sri Lanka in November guide: Deepawali Festival Day on Sunday 8 November and Ill Full Moon Poya Day on Tuesday 24 November. We have no source on how they change temple arrangements, so check the temple's official pages for those dates.

What should I pack for Kandy in November?

Our what to wear guide has the full list.

Is it safe to travel around Kandy in heavy rain?

Take care, and check before you move. The UK Foreign Office says monsoon rains can cause flooding and that heavy rain and landslips can lead to road closures and affect local transport. It tells travellers to monitor the Disaster Management Centre and the Department of Meteorology and to follow local advice. If you are driving onward to Ella, read our Kandy to Ella by road guide. For rail from the coast, read the Colombo to Kandy train guide, and check Sri Lanka Railways notices for your date. For the airport run, our Colombo airport to Kandy guide covers the options. In heavy rain, add time to every transfer.

What is the bottom line?

November in Kandy is a wet-month trip. Expect about 16 rain days, mild highs near 29 C, cool nights near 20 C, and a Department of Meteorology outlook that leans wetter than normal. It is still a good month for the sacred city and the temple, which you can see in any weather. Keep the schedule loose, carry rain gear every day, and check the landslide warning and rail notices before any transfer. If you can choose, February is the driest month in the normals.