Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 8 – 15 November 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During 6 – 12 Nov, high likelihood of fairly heavy rainfall (50-100 mm) is predicted for the North Western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northern, and Central provinces, and moderate rainfall (25-50 mm) is predicted for the Uva, Eastern, North Central, and Southern provinces.
Monitored Rainfall:
During the last 8 days, Sri Lanka received an average of 12.7 mm/day of rainfall, and the Western hills experienced the highest concentration at 19.7 mm/day, while in the hydro catchments, the average rainfall was 17.1 mm/day, with Lakshapana recording the highest daily rainfall at 104.4 mm/day. Highest daily rainfall was in Ratmalana on 3 Nov (111 mm/day).
Monitored and Predicted Wind: The wind direction has changed from SW to NE. From 29 Oct – 4 Nov, winds at 850mb (1.5km) were north-easterly, reaching up to 3 m/s. From 7 – 13 Nov, winds are predicted to be north-easterly, reaching up to 5 m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 31.0ºC in the last week with warmer anomalies from seasonal average of 1-3 ºC. Eastern plains was warmest followed by Northern and Southern plains. Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 0.5℃ above average from 8 – 14 Oct 2024.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall:During the last two weeks, there has been Very Heavy rainfall over the following area: KandalOyaEstate (KegalleDistrict) Average Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (30 Oct – 5 Nov) = 12.7 mm/day Maximum Daily Rainfall: 111.1 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: North Westerly and Easterly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were above normal for Sri Lanka except for Western and some parts of Central, North Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces driven by the warm SSTs anomalies.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (6 – 12 Nov), Fairly Heavy rainfall (50-100 mm) is predicted for the North Western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northern, and Central provinces, and Moderate rainfall (25-50 mm) is predicted for the Uva, Eastern, North Central and Southern provinces.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain normal for the SL during 7 – 13 Nov.
Teleconnections: MJO shall be near neutral for the rainfall during 6 Nov-10 Nov and moderately enhance the rainfall during 11-20 Nov for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the November-December-January, 2024 season shows a 50% or more tendency toward above-normal precipitation for the 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 |
