Highlights

Rainfall Prediction: Fairly heavy rainfall is predicted for the Southern, Sabaragamuwa, and Western provinces and less rainfall is expected for rest of the country during 12th Apr – 18th Apr.

Monitored Rainfall: During the last week, average daily rainfall over Sri Lanka was 5.5mm and hydro catchment areas received 5.9 mm.

Monitored Wind: From 3rd – 9th Apr, up to 4 m/s of south easterly winds were experienced at 850 mb level over the island. During 14th Apr – 20th Apr, up to 3 m/s of south westerly winds are expected for the country.

Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was below normal for northern half of the island. Land surface temperature remained near normal.

Prediction

Rainfall: During the next week (12th April – 18th April), fairly heavy rainfall (55 mm) is predicted for the Southern, Sabaragamuwa, and Western provinces, and less rainfall is expected for the rest of the country.

Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Northern, North Western, North Central, Uva, Eastern, Central, and Southern provinces during 14th April – 20th April.

Teleconnections: ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to continue through the Northern Hemisphere in spring and early summer 2023.

MJO shall significantly suppress the rainfall during 12th – 16th April, moderately suppress the rainfall during 17th – 21st April and near normal the rainfall during 22nd- 26th April for Sri Lanka.

Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the April-May-June, 2023 season shows a higher tendency of below-normal precipitation for the country except Northern Province.

Terminology for Rainfall Ranges