Climate Change Chart of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Overview of climate changes

Temperature changes

Monthly mean temperature was higher by a mean difference of +0.78 °C averaged across calendar months in the more recent period; this is an unweighted average of monthly means, not a day-weighted annual average or a description of every month. The largest monthly increase was in July, with a difference of +1.12 °C. These figures describe monthly means rather than daytime maximum temperatures, and the comparison does not establish a continuous change between the reference periods.

Changes in rainfall

Mean daily rainfall had a difference of +0.26 mm/day higher averaged across calendar months in the more recent period; this unweighted mean of monthly means is not a day-weighted annual average, and it does not mean rainfall increased in every month. The largest monthly increase occurred in November, at +4.40 mm/day, while the largest monthly decrease was in August, with a difference of -2.57 mm/day. These are changes in mean daily amounts, not monthly rainfall totals, and the two-period comparison does not describe a continuous trend.

Changes in sunshine duration

Mean daily sunshine duration showed a difference of -0.10 hours/day averaged across calendar months in the more recent period. This is an unweighted average of monthly means, not a day-weighted annual average, so it does not imply the same change in every month. Monthly differences varied: the largest increase was in June, at +1.11 hours/day, while the largest decrease was in November, with a difference of -1.40 hours/day. These figures concern mean daily hours and compare the reference periods only; they do not establish a continuous trend.