Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 30 August – 6 September 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During 28 Aug – 3 Sep, high likelihood of moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Eastern, North Central, North Western and Northern provinces and Light to Moderate rainfall (12.5 – 25 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western and Southern provinces and Light Showers (≤12.5 mm) is predicted for the Uva province.
Monitored Rainfall: On total, 140 mm was received in SL and rainfall was concentrated in the Western plains (49.8 mm)
for last 8 days. On total, 93.4 mm was received in the hydro catchments in SL; Victoria received the highest daily rainfall (18.5 mm) for last 8 days. Highest daily rainfall was in Mattala on 22 Aug (17.7 mm).
Monitored and Predicted Wind: From 20 Aug – 28 Aug, winds at 850mb (1.5km) were westerly, reaching up to 10 m/s. From 28 Aug – 4 Sep, winds are predicted to be westerly, reaching up to 10 m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 31.0ºC in the last week with warmer and cooler anomalies from seasonal average of 1-3 ºC. Eastern plains was warmest followed by Northern, Southern and Western plains. Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 1.0°C above average from 6 Aug to 12 Aug 2024.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there has been very heavy rainfall over the following area: Palugaswewa Estate ( Puttlam ).Total Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (22 – 28 Aug) = 140 mm Maximum Daily Rainfall: 17.7 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 Uva, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa province and below normal for some parts of the Eastern province for Sri Lanka driven by the warm SSTs.
Prediction
Rainfall:During the next week (28 Aug – 3 Sep ), moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Eastern, North Central, North Western and Northern provinces and Light to Moderate rainfall (12.5 – 25 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western and Southern provinces and Light Showers (≤12.5 mm) is predicted for the Uva province.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Uva provinces during 29 August – 4 September.
Teleconnections: MJO shall near neutral the rainfall during 28th August – 11th September for Sri Lanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the September-October-November, 2024 season shows a 40% or more tendency toward 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 |
