Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 22 – 29 July 2022)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: Heavy rainfall (>100mm) is predicted for Jaffna district and fairly heavy rainfall (75mm) is expected for Galle and Matara districts during 22nd-26th July.
Monitored Rainfalls: During the last week, the average daily rainfall over Sri Lanka was 2.9 mm and hydro catchment areas have received 7.3 mm on average.
Monitored Wind: From 11th- 17th July, up to 20 m/s of south-westerly winds were experienced over the island.
Monitored Temperature: Sea surface temperature was near-neutral around the island. Land surface temperature remained near normal.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been heavy rainfall over the following area: Anuradhapura
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (11th July – 18th July) = 2.9 mm
Rainfall max: 105.3 mm & Rainfall min: 0.0 mm.
Wind: South-westerly prevailed in the sea area surrounding the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were below normal for southern province, driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (22nd- 26th July) heavy rainfall is predicted for Jaffna districts and fairly heavy rainfall (up to 75 mm) is expected for Galle and Matara districts. The rest of the country is expected to have less rainfall.
Temperatures: The temperature remains above normal in the Northern, North-central, Uva and Eastern provinces during 22nd – 27th July.
Teleconnections:
La Niña – La Niña is favored to continue through 2022 with the odds for La Niña decreasing into the Northern Hemisphere late summer (July-September 2022) before increasing through the Northern Hemisphere fall and early winter 2022.
MJO shall near neutral during 20th- 24th July; and slightly enhance the rainfall during 25th July – 3rd August.
Seasonal Precipitation:
The precipitation forecast for the August-September-October season shows a higher tendency for below-normal precipitation for the southern half of the country, while the remaining areas are more likely to experience near-normal precipitation.
Terminology for Rainfall Ranges
| Rainfall (During 24 hours of period) | |
| 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 |
