Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 25 May – 31 May 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: High likelihood of fairly heavy rainfall (50 – 100mm) is predicted for the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, North Western, Central, North Central, Uva provinces and moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm)) is predicted for the rest during 24 – 30 May.
Monitored Rainfall: While on average 160mm was received in SL, rainfall was concentrated on the western hills and slopes. Depression 99B reached cyclonic status as “Remal” and shall reach the Bangala/West Bengal border regions on the 26/27th.
Monitored and Predicted Wind: Winds at 850mb (1.5km) were north westerly from 16 – 22 May reaching up to 15 m/s. Strong winds at 850mb (1.5 km) are predicted north westerly from 25 -31 May reaching up to 20 m/s due to cyclonic storm.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 30.5°C in the last week with cooler anomalies of (-)1-3°C. Sea surface
temperature around Sri Lanka was 0.5 – 2.0°C above normal. The temperature has dropped slightly.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall:
During the last two weeks, there had been very heavy rainfall over the following area:
Kesbewa.
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (17th May – 24th May) = 17.3 mm
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 214.5 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: North westerly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were below normal for the some parts of the Northern and Eastern provinces driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (24th May – 30th May), fairly heavy rainfall (50 – 100 mm) is predicted for the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, North Western, Central, North Central, and Uva provinces and moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the rest.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Eastern, Northern and Uva provinces during 25th – 31st May.
Teleconnections: MJO shall moderately enhance the rainfall during 24th – 28th May, and slightly enhance the rainfall during 29th May – 7th June for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the June-July-August, 2024 season shows a 50% 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 |
