Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 29 March – 05 April 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: High likelihood of moderate rainfall (35mm) is predicted for the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa provinces and less rainfall is predicted for the rest during 27 Mar – 2 Apr.
Monitored Rainfall: On average, half of the expected rainfall was received over the country during 26 Feb – 26 Mar. Rainfall on 23 Mar was highest (169 mm) at Deniyaya (SP).
Monitored and Predicted Wind: Winds at 850mb (1.5 km) were north easterly from 18 – 24 Mar reaching up to 5 m/s. Winds at 850mb (1.5 km) are predicted south easterly from 28 Mar – 3 Apr reaching up to 2m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Maximum daily temperature was in Ratnapura and Kurunegala (38.0°C). Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 0.5 – 1.5°C above normal.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been very heavy rainfall over the following area: Deniyaya. Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (20th March – 27th March) = 5.4 mm.
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 74.4 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: North easterly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were above normal for some parts of the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western, Southern, and North Western provinces of the country, driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (27th March – 2ndApril), moderate rainfall (35 mm) is predicted for the Western, Southern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces, and less rainfall is predicted for the rest.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Northern, North Central, North Western, and Eastern provinces during 28th March – 3 rd April.
Teleconnections: MJO shall slightly enhance the rainfall during 27th – 31th March, moderately enhance the rainfall during 1st – 5 th April, and slightly enhance the rainfall during 6th – 10th April for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the April-May-June, 2024 season shows a 40 – 50% 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 |