Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 28 June – 5 July 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During 24 – 30 Jun, high likelihood of moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa,Western, Southern, North Western provinces; light tomoderate rainfall (12.5 -25 mm) is predicted for the Southern province; below 5 mm rainfall is predicted for the rest.
Monitored Rainfall: On average, 4.3 mm was received in SL and rainfall was concentrated in the Western plains (11.6 mm) and hills (10.5 mm). On average, 17.0 mm was received in the hydro catchments; Canyon received the highest rainfall (91.3 mm).Highest daily rainfall was in Moraliya Oya (Kegalle) on 24 June. (95.7 mm).
Monitored and Predicted Wind: From 15 – 21 Jun, winds at 850mb (1.5km) westerly, reaching up to 15 m/s. From 27 Jun – 3 Jul, winds are predicted to be north westerly, reaching up to 10 m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 31°C in the last week with warmer anomalies from seasonal average of 1 – 3°C. Eastern plain was warmest followed by Northern and Southern plains. Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 0.25 – 1.5°C above average.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there has been fairly heavy rainfall over the following areas: Moraliya Oya (Kegalle) Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (19th June – 26th June) = 4.3 mm
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 49.1 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: Westerly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were above normal for some parts of the Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (24th June – 30th June), moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, and North Western provinces and light to moderate rainfall (12.5 – 25 mm) is predicted for the Southern province and less rainfall is predicted for the rest.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for the Northern, Eastern, North Central and Uva provinces during 27 June – 3 July.
Teleconnections: MJO shall near neutral the rainfall during 24- 28 June and slightly enhance the rainfall during 29 June – 8 July for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the July-August-September, 2024 season shows a 45 – 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 |
