Highlights

Rainfall Prediction: From 1st – 6th April, moderate rainfall (up to 35 mm) is expected for the Sabaragamuwa, Western & Southern provinces while less is expected other provinces.

Monitored Rainfalls: During the last week the average daily rainfall in Sri Lanka was 2.3 mm, with max of 109 mm in Kalutara on 29th March.

Monitored  Wind: From 22nd- 28th March, up to 3m/s Southerlies to South-easterlies were experienced.

Monitored  Temperature: Sea surface temperature was above 0.5°C to the north of Sri Lanka. A La Niña pattern is prevalent in the Pacific Ocean but not in the Indian Ocean.

Interpretation

Monitoring

Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been heavy rainfall over the following area:
Kalutara. Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (22nd-29th March) = 2.3 mm

Rmax: 24.4 mm & Rmin: 0mm.

The Hydro Catchment Areas recorded 2.7 mm of average rainfall for the last week
Rmax: 11.6 mm & Rmin: 0 mm.

Wind: Southerly to South-easterly winds prevailed in the sea area surrounding the island last week.

Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were near-neutral for the country, driven by the warm SST’s.

Prediction

Rainfall: During the next week (1st – 6th April) moderate rainfall is predicted for Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces.

Temperature :The temperature remains slightly above normal in the Northern and provinces during 1st – 9th April.

Teleconnections:

La Nina – The SST forecast indicates that La Niña is favored to continue into the Northern Hemisphere
summer (June-August 2022).
MJO shall neutral during 1st – 4th April; slightly enhance the rainfall during 5th- 9th April; and moderately enhance during 10th – 14th April.

Seasonal Precipitation:

The precipitation forecast for the April-May-June season shows above-normal precipitation for the island, while some parts of the southern province remain neutral.

Terminology for Rainfall Ranges