Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 04 – 11 April 2025)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During the next week (April 2nd–8th), heavy rainfall (100–150 mm) is predicted for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Eastern provinces, while fairly heavy rainfall (50–100 mm) is expected in the North-Central, Central, North-Western, and Northern provinces.
Monitored Rainfall: During the last 8 days (March 25 – April 1), Sri Lanka received an average rainfall of 4.3 mm per day, while the hydro catchment areas recorded an average of 5.6 mm per day. Highest daily rainfall was in Polonnaruwa on 26th March (60.4 mm).
Monitored and Predicted Wind: From 25- 31 Mar , winds at 850 mb (1.5 km) from the East reached to 3 m/s. From 03 Apr- 09 Apr, winds are predicted to come from the South-Western, and wind speed reached to 2 m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average maximum land surface temperature was 32.3°C in the last week. The Northern plains were the warmest, followed by the Eastern and Western plains. The sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka ranged between 0.5°C and 1.0°C above average from March 25 to March 31, 2025.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: Average Rainfall in the Met Stations for the previous week of (25 Mar – 01 Apr) = 4.3 mm/day. Maximum Daily Rainfall: 60.4 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: North-Easterly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: Temperature anomalies were near neutral for Sri Lanka during March 23rd to 29th, 2025.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (April 2nd–8th), “heavy” rainfall (100–150 mm) is predicted for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Eastern provinces, while “fairly heavy” rainfall (50– 100 mm) is expected in the North-Central, Central, North-Western, and Northern provinces.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal in some parts of the Northern and, Eastern Provinces from April 08 to April 11, while it will remain normal in other parts of Sri Lanka from April 03 to April 11.
Teleconnections: The MJO will slightly enhance rainfall from April 01 to April 15.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the April-May-June, 2025 season shows a 90% or more tendency toward normal precipitation for the Northern half of the country, while it shows a 90% or more tendency toward normal precipitation for the Southern half of the country.
Terminology for Rainfall Ranges
| Terminology | Rainfall (mm/week) |
| 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 |
