Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 14 – 21 March 2025)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During the next week (March 13th–19th), moderate rainfall (25–50 mm) is predicted for the Central, Uva, Southern, Eastern, Northern, North-Western, and North- Central provinces while light to moderate rainfall is predicted for the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces.
Monitored Rainfall: During the last 8 days (05 Mar – 12 Mar), SL received an average of 0.4 mm/day of rainfall, while in the hydro catchments, the average rainfall was 42.6 mm/day. Highest daily rainfall was in Katugastota on 11th and 12thMarch (11.5 mm).
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average maximum land surface temperature was 31°C in the last week with warmer anomalies from seasonal average of 1°C. The Northern plains were the warmest, followed by the Western and Southern plains. Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 1.0°C above average from 05 – 11 Mar 2025.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: Average Rainfall in the Met Stations for the previous week of (06 Mar – 12 Mar) = 0.4 mm/day. Maximum Daily Rainfall: 11.5 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: Easterly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were near-neutral of Sri Lanka.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (March 13th–19th), moderate rainfall (25–50 mm) is predicted for the Central, Uva, Southern, Eastern, Northern, North-Western, and North-Central provinces while light to moderate rainfall is predicted for the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some part of the Northern Provinces during 14- 22 March and Remain Normal for other parts of SL during that period.
Teleconnections: The MJO will slightly enhance rainfall from March 12th to 21st, Near Neutral from March 22nd to 27th March.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the March-April-May, 2025 season shows an 80% or more tendency toward above-normal precipitation for the Southern half of the country.
Terminology for Rainfall Ranges
| Terminology | Rainfall (mm/week) |
| 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 |
