Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 19 April – 26 April 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: High likelihood of fairly heavy rainfall (55mm) is predicted for the Western province and moderate rainfall (25 – 50mm) is predicted for the rest during 15 – 21 April.
Monitored Rainfall: On average, only 70mm of rainfall was received over the country during 16 Mar – 14 April. Average rainfall for SL was 5.9mm and for the hydro- catchment areas was 4.0mm.
Monitored and Predicted Wind: Winds at 850mb (1.5 km) were easterly from 6 – 12 April reaching up to 4 m/s. Winds at 850mb (1.5 km) are predicted south westerly from 16 – 22 Apr reaching up to 3 m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 32.7°C in the last week and warmer anomalies of +1-3oC were higher in all over Sri Lanka except Northern province. Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 0.5 – 1.5°C above normal.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been very heavy rainfall over the following area: Eheliyagoda.
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (9th April – 16th April) = 5.9 mm
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 62.4 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 above normal for the country except Northern province, driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (15th April – 21th April), fairly heavy rainfall (55 mm) is predicted for the Western province and moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the rest.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Northern, North Central, North Central, Eastern, Uva, and North Western provinces during 16th – 22nd April.
Teleconnections: MJO shall near neutral the rainfall during 15th – 29th April for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the May-June-July, 2024 season shows a 70% 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 |
