Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 26 April – 03 May 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: High likelihood of moderate rainfall (25 – 50mm) is predicted for Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and less rainfall (<20 mm) is predicted for the rest during 24 April – 1 May.
Monitored Rainfall: On average, only 3/5 of expected rainfall was received over the Sri Lanka during 25 Mar – 23 April.
Average rainfall for SL was 2.6mm and for the hydro-catchment areas was 2.3mm.
Monitored and Predicted Wind: Winds at 850mb (1.5 km) were south easterly from 16 – 22 Apr reaching up to 3m/s.
Winds at 850mb (1.5 km) are predicted south easterly from 25 Apr – 1 May reaching up to 2 m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 33.9°C in the last week and warmer anomalies of +1-3°C were higher in the western slopes and coast compared to the northern and southern regions.
The temperature in SL has peaked for the year.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been heavy rainfall over the following area:
Neboda.
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (17th April – 24th April) = 2.6 mm
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 53.7 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: South westerly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were above normal forsome parts of the North Western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Central, and Eastern provinces of the country, driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (25th April – 1st May), moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Central provinces and less rainfall (< 20 mm) is predicted for the rest.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Northern, North Central, Uva, Eastern, and North Western provinces during 25th April – 1st May.
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 |
