Where’s hot in August?

August brings intense heat to several parts of the world. It’s searingly humid in Sri Lanka and the South of the USA, while there’s more moderately humid yet still tropical weather in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. In Europe, you’ll find sunny, comfortable temperatures for hiking and exploring places including Russia and Switzerland, while the heat is even higher in Portugal.

August at a glance

Destination	Max. temp.	Sunshine hours	Average flight time
Sri Lanka	Max. temp.	33 °C	Sunshine hours	7 hours	Average flight time	11½ hours (Colombo)
The Cook Islands	Max. temp.	25 °C	Sunshine hours	11 hours	Average flight time	27¾ hours (Rarotonga, via Los Angeles)
Switzerland	Max. temp.	25 °C	Sunshine hours	6 hours	Average flight time	2 hours upwards dependent on airline (London to Zürich)
Portugal	Max. temp.	29 °C	Sunshine hours	11 hours	Average flight time	2 hours 30 upwards dependent on airline (London to Lisbon)
USA	Max. temp.	35 °C	Sunshine hours	12 hours	Average flight time	Between 7 (New York) & 20 hours (Honolulu)

Sri Lanka

Combine sultry temperatures and sunshine with seeing one of the planet’s greatest wildlife set-pieces. August in Sri Lanka sees hundreds of wild Asian elephants come to drink from the Minneriya Tank, a royal reservoir built in 200 AD in Minneriya National Park. This annual thirst-quenching is known as The Gathering.

Type of heat in Sri Lanka in August: Expect sunny days and humidity, which continues into the evenings — maximum temperatures of 33°C (91°F), which hardly vary after dark.

Average temperature in Sri Lanka in August: 25°C (77°F) depending on region

Average hours of daily sunshine in Sri Lanka in August: 7 hours

Average flight time to Sri Lanka: 11½ hours (London to Colombo)

• Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Temple, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
• Elephant, Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka
• Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka
• Reclining Buddha, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
• Galle, Sri Lanka

The Cook Islands

If you’re looking for a South Pacific island escape in the middle of the Northern Hemisphere’s summer break, why not visit the white-sand beaches, coral atolls, and turquoise lagoons of the permanently laid-back Cook Islands? You can punctuate your beach relaxation with snorkelling and kitesurfing at this time of year, too.

Type of heat in the Cook Islands in August: This is your classic tropical heat, with sunshine and the constant possibility of rain — it’s one of the reasons the Cook Islands are so green — but the humidity is fairly moderate at this time of year, and nights are colder. Maximum temperatures during the day are 25°C (77°F).

Average temperature in the Cook Islands in August: 23°C (73°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in the Cook Islands in August: 11 hours

Average flight time to the Cook Islands: 27¾ hours (London to Rarotonga, via Los Angeles)

• Fish off Aitutaki, Cook Islands
• Te Rua Manga (the Needle), Rarotonga, Cook Islands
• Hibiscus, Aitutaki, Cook Islands
• Rarotonga, Cook Islands
• One Foot Island, Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Switzerland

August often brings clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine to Switzerland, making it a standout time for hiking and enjoying the mountain scenery of the Alps. Depending when in the month you go, you might get the first hints of harvest season and autumn, with grapevines loaded with fruit.

Type of heat in Switzerland in August: If you’re at altitude there’s brightness and freshness in the sunshine but no humidity, making for easier hiking conditions. Maximum temperatures can reach 25°C (77°F)

Average temperature in Switzerland in August: 22°C (72°F) depending on region. The highest-altitude areas can drop to below 10°C (50°F).

Average daily hours of sunshine in Switzerland in August: 6 hours

Average flight time to Switzerland: 2 hours upwards dependent on airline (London to Zürich)

• Matterhorn, Switzerland
• Parco Ciani, Lugano, Switzerland
• Old town, Zürich, Switzerland
• Lake Geneva region, Switzerland
• Glacier Express train on the Landwasser Viaduct, Switzerland

Portugal

As temperatures spike during the Portuguese summer, its citizens decamp to its coastline. This makes it an excellent month to tour the culturally rich cities of Lisbon and Porto, for example, which are quieter than usual. The fantastical grottoes of Sintra, a fado music evening, and port wine tastings could all be on the menu.

Type of heat in Portugal in August: Days are long, very warm (especially in the cities), and sunlight-filled, though not muggy. Maximum temperatures can reach 29°C (84°F).

Average temperature in Portugal in August: 27°C (81°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Portugal in August: 11 hours

Average flight time to Portugal: 2½ hours upwards dependent on airline (London to Lisbon)

• Porto, Portugal
• Castelo de São Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
• Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal
• Vineyards, Douro Valley, Portugal
• Monastery of Batalha, Estremadura, Portugal

The USA

Temperatures skyrocket in California and the South in August. If you like desert heat, try Palm Springs, a chic oasis city 160 km (100 miles) from Los Angeles that’s surprisingly lush, with fine dining and natural spas. For sultry, jazz-infused nights, swamp boat safaris, and delicious Cajun and Creole food, there’s New Orleans.

Type of heat in the USA in August: In Southern California there is a dry desert heat, a bit like a blast of hot air from an oven door. In the South it’s a sticky, densely humid heat. Maximum temperatures can reach 35°C (95°F).

Average temperature in the USA in August: 35°C (95°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in the USA in August: 12 hours

Average flight time to the USA: 11 hours 10 upwards (London to LA)

• Palm Springs, California, USA
• Jambalaya, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
• Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
• Lake Tahoe, California, USA
• Humpback whale off Cape Cod, New England, USA