Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 07 Apr – 14 Apr 2023)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: Fairly heavy rainfall is predicted for the Southern, Sabaragamuwa, and Western provinces and less rainfall is expected for the rest of the country from the 6th Apr – 12th Apr.
Monitored Rainfall: During the last week, the average daily rainfall over Sri Lanka was 5.0mm and hydro catchment areas received 10.3mm.
Monitored Wind: From 28th – 3rd Apr, up to 2 m/s of Southeasterly winds were experienced at 850 mb level almost over the island.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: The sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was below normal for the northern half of the island. The land surface temperature remained near normal.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been heavy rainfall over Kurunegala.
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (29th March – 5th April) = 5.0 mm
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 145.4 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: Southeasterly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were above normal for some parts of the Sabaragamuwa province and normal for the rest of the country driven by the warm SSTs.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (6th April – 12th April), fairly heavy rainfall (≥ 55 mm) is predicted for the Southern, Sabaragamuwa, and Western provinces, and less rainfall is expected for the rest of the country.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Northern, North Western, North Central, Uva, Eastern, and Western provinces from 8th April – 14th April.
Teleconnections: ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to continue through the Northern Hemisphere in spring and early summer 2023.
MJO shall moderately suppress the rainfall from 6th April – 15th April and slightly suppress the rainfall from 16th April- 20th April in Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the April-May-June 2023 season shows a higher tendency of below-normal precipitation for the country except for the Northern Province.
Terminology for Rainfall Ranges
Rainfall (During 24 hours of the period) | |
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 |