Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 10 Mar – 17 Mar 2023)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: Fairly heavy rainfall (55 mm) is predicted for the Southern province, and less rainfall is expected for rest of the country during the 11th March – 15th March.
Monitored Rainfall: During the last week, average daily rainfall over Sri Lanka was 2.4 mm and hydro catchment areas received 3.6 mm. Highest average rainfall 3.6 mm/day was received to Eastern plains.
Monitored Wind: From 28th Feb – 6th Mar, up to 8 m/s of north easterly winds were experienced at 850 mb level 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 Batticaloa.
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (2nd March – 8th March) = 2.4 mm
R max: 38.4 mm & R min: 0.0 mm.
Wind: Northeasterly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were below normal for the Uva province and some parts of the Northern, Central, Eastern, North Central and Southern Provinces driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (11th March – 15th March), fairly heavy rainfall (55 mm) is predicted for the Southern province, and less rainfall is expected for rest of the country.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Sabaragamuwa, North Western, and Southern provinces and below normal for some parts of the Central province during 11th March – 19th March.
Teleconnections: ENSO-neutral conditions will begin within the next couple of months, and persist through the Northern Hemisphere spring and early summer.
MJO shall slightly suppress the rainfall during 9th March – 13th March, moderately enhance the rainfall during 14th March – 18th March, and significantly enhance the rainfall during 19th March – 23rd March for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the March-April-May 2023 season shows a higher tendency of above-normal precipitation for the southern half of the country.
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 |
