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.

Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 07 Apr – 14 Apr 2023)

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 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