Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 12 July – 19 July 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During 10 – 16 July, high likelihood of moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, and North Western provinces; light to moderate rainfall (12.5 – 25 mm) is predicted for the Central province; below 10 mm rainfall is predicted for the rest
Monitored Rainfall: On average, 5.3 mm was received in SL and rainfall was concentrated in the Eastern hills (8.1 mm), Western plains (13.5 mm) and hills (7.7 mm). On average, 6.6 mm was received in the hydro catchments in SL; Kukule Ganga received the highest rainfall (80 mm). Highest daily rainfall was in Kalatuwawa (Rathnapura District) on 27 June (73.0 mm).
Monitored and Predicted Wind: From 2 Jul – 8 Jul, winds at 850mb (1.5km) north westerly, reaching up to 15 m/s. From 11 Jul – 17 Jul, winds are predicted to be north westerly and westerly, reaching up to 15 m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 31ºC 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 0.25 – 1.5ºC above average.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall:During the last two weeks, there has been heavy rainfall over the following area: Kalatuwawa (Rathnapura District) Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (4 July – 10 July) = 5.3 mm Maximum Daily Rainfall: 86.9 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: Westerly and North Westerly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were above normal for some parts of the Southern, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces driven by the warm SSTs.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (10 July – 16 July), moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, and North Western provinces and light to moderate rainfall (12.5 – 25 mm) is predicted for the Central province and less rainfall is predicted for the rest.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for the Northern, Eastern, North Central, and Uva provinces and below normal for some parts of Central province during 12 July – 19 July.
Teleconnections: MJO shall be near neutral for the rainfall from 10th – 19th July for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the July-August-September, 2024 season shows a 45 – 50% or more tendency toward above-normal precipitation for 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 |
