Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 03 May – 10 May 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: High likelihood of light to moderate rainfall (15 – 25 mm) is predicted for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North Western, Southern, Central Provinces and light shower (≤ 5 mm) is predicted for the rest during 1 – 7 May.
Monitored Rainfall: On average, only 2/3 of expected rainfall was received over the Sri Lanka during April. Average rainfall for SL was 4.1mm and for the hydro- catchment areas was 4.7mm.
Monitored and Predicted Wind: Winds at 850mb (1.5 km) were easterly from 22 – 28 Apr reaching up to 4m/s. Winds at 850mb (1.5 km) are predicted south westerly from 2 – 8 May reaching up to 5 m/s. Winds are low speed and transitioning in direction.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: •Average land surface temperature was 33.8°C in the last week and warmer anomalies of +1-3°C were higher in the western slopes, coast and southern region compared to the northern and eastern regions.
Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 0.5 – 1.5°C above normal.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been heavy rainfall over the following areas:
Gampaha, Ratnapura.
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (17th April – 24th April) = 2.6 mm
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 53.7 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: Easterly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were above normal for some parts of the North Western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, North Central, and Uva provinces of the country, driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (1st May – 7th May), light to moderate rainfall (15 – 25 mm) is predicted for the Western, Sabaragamuwa North Western, Southern, and Central Provinces and light showers (≤ 5 mm) are predicted for the rest.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Northern, North Central, Uva, Eastern, Central, and North Western provinces during 2nd – 8th May.
Teleconnections: MJO shall moderately enhance the rainfall during 1st- 10th May, and near neutral the rainfall during 11th – 15th May for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the May-June-July, 2024 season shows a 70% or more tendency toward above normal precipitation for the country.
Terminology for Rainfall Ranges
| Rainfall | |
| Light Showers | Less than 12.5 mm |
| Light to Moderate | Between 12.5 mm and 25 mm |
| Moderate | Between 25 mm and 50 mm |
| Fairly Heavy | Between 50 mm and 100 mm |
| Heavy | Between 100 mm and 150 mm |
| Very Heavy | More than 150 mm |
