Highlights

Predictions:From 24 Feb – 2 Mar, NOAA CPC predicts a significant decrease in rainfall over SL. During this period, Eastern regions are predicted to receive moderate rainfall of 25-35 mm. From 19 Feb – 3 Mar, wind speeds are predicted to be slightly lower compared to the previous week, ranging between 1-4 m/s.
 
Monitoring: From 4-10 Feb, rainfall picked up and was high for the season with an average rainfall across SL being 8 mm. On 21 Feb, Eastern Hills and Western Hills received heavy rainfall exceeding 50 mm daily rainfall on average. Specifically on 21 Feb, in the Eastern Hills, Bandarawela and Polonnaruwa received 61 & 104 mm rainfall respectively; while in the Western Hills, Katugastota, Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya received 120, 73 and 51 mm rainfall respectively. During 17 – 24 Feb, winds were easterly and northeasterly with speeds ranging between 4 – 5 m/s. Land temperatures remained seasonable across SL. The Southern plains had an average maximum temperature of 31.3°C, while the Eastern Hills had an average minimum temperature of 24.0°C.
 

Rainfall Prediction:From 24 Feb – 2 Mar 2026, moderate rainfall (25-35 mm) is predicted for the Eastern Hills and Plains; light to moderate rainfall (5-25 mm) is predicted for the Western Plains and Southern Plains; light showers (0-5 mm) are predicted for the Western Hills and Northern Plains. In the second week of
Mar, rainfall is predicted to decrease throughout SL, specially in the Eastern and Northern Plains. (Source: NOAA CPC)

Monitored Rainfall:During 18 – 24 Feb the average rainfall was 8 mm. Highest daily rainfall was in Katugastota on 21 Feb, recorded as 120 mm. During this week, there was higher rainfall compared to the previous week across SL. On 21 Feb, in the Eastern Hills, Bandarawela and Polonnaruwa received 61 & 104 mm rainfall respectively; while in the Western Hills, Katugastota, Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya received 120, 73 and 51 mm rainfall respectively.

 
Monitored Land & Sea Temperature: Seasonable temperature was seasonable across SL except in the Eastern area which were cooler. The Southern plains had the maximum temp of 31.3°C, while the Eastern Hills had the minimum temperature of 24.0°C. The sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was below the seasonal average by 1°C – 0°C.
 
Monitored & Predicted Wind: From 16 – 22 Feb 2026, winds at 1.5 km elevation were mostly from the East and Northeast at speeds ranging 4-5 m/s. From 25 Feb – 3 Mar 2026, winds are predicted to range from 1-4 m/s coming from the Northeast. Wind is slowing down from previous week as expected.



Terminology for Rainfall Ranges

TerminologyRainfall (mm/week)
Light ShowersLess than 12.5 mm
Light to ModerateBetween 12.5 mm and 25 mm
ModerateBetween 25 mm and 50 mm
Fairly HeavyBetween 50 mm and 100 mm
HeavyBetween 100 mm and 150 mm
Very HeavyMore than 150 mm