Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 10 – 17 June 2022)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: Very High rainfall (>100mm) is predicted in total for Ratnapura; more than 50mm for parts of Galle and Kalutara districts. Drier conditions are predicted for north & east of the country.
Monitored Rainfalls: During the last week, the average daily rainfall over Sri Lanka was 2.8 mm and hydro catchment areas have received 10.8 mm on average.
Monitored Wind: From 30th May – 5th June, up to 15m/s of southwesterly winds were experienced over the island.
Monitored Temperature: Sea surface temperature was observed to be above average of0.5°C to the east of the island. Land surface temperature remained near normal.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been very heavy rainfall over the following area: Kegalle
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (31th May – 7th June) = 2.8 mm
Maximum rainfall: 64.7 mm & minimum rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: South-westerly prevailed in the sea area surrounding the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were near-normal for the entire island, driven by the warm SST’s
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (8th- 14thJune) heavy rainfall (>100 mm) is predicted for the Ratnapura district; more than 50mm for parts of Galle and Kalutara districts. Drier conditions are predicted for north &east of the country.
Temperatures: The temperature remains above normal in the Uva and Eastern province and slightly below normal in the central province during 8th – 16th June.
Teleconnections:
La Niña – Though La Niña is favored to continue, the odds for La Niña decrease into the late Northern Hemisphere summer (August-October 2022).
MJO shall slightly suppress the rainfall during 8th – 12th June; near neutral during 13th – 17th June; and moderately enhance the rainfall during 18th – 22nd June.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the June-July-August season shows below-normal precipitation for the southern province and above-normal precipitation to the north province.
Terminology for Rainfall Ranges
| Rainfall (During 24 hours of 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 |
