Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 9 August – 16 August 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During 7 – 13 Aug, high likelihood of fairly heavy rainfall (50 – 100 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Western, North Western, and Southern provinces and moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Uva, North Central, Central, Northern and Eastern provinces.
Monitored Rainfall: On average, 2.4 mm was received in SL and rainfall was concentrated in the Eastern hills (6 mm) for last 8 days. On average, 3 mm was received in the hydro catchments in SL; Kukule Ganga (Kalutara District) received the highest rainfall (55 mm) for last 8 days. Highest daily rainfall was in Bandarawela on 5 Aug (35.6 mm).
Monitored and Predicted Wind: From 24 Jul – 4 Aug, winds at 850mb (1.5km) were westerly and northwesterly, reaching up to 15 m/s. From 8 Aug – 14 Aug, winds are predicted to be northwesterly, reaching up to 3 m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 31.5ºC 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 normal to the Eastern , North Eastern and some parts of the Northern side of the country and 1.0℃ above average for the other half of the country.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there has been fairly heavy rainfall over the following area: Huruluwawa (Anuradhapura District) Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (1 – 8 Aug) = 2.4 mm Maximum Daily Rainfall: 35.6 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 Eastern, Uva and some parts of the Sabaragamuwa province for Sri Lanka driven by the warm SSTs
Prediction
Rainfall:During the next week (7 August – 13 August), fairly heavy rainfall (50 – 100 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Western, North Western, and Southern provinces and moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Uva, North Central, Central, Northern and Eastern provinces.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for the Northern, Eastern and North Central provinces during 8 August – 14 August.
Teleconnections: MJO shall be near neutral the rainfall during 7th – 16th August and slightly enhance the rainfall during 17th June – 21st August for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the August-September-October, 2024 season shows a 40% or more tendency toward 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 |
