Highlights

Rainfall Prediction: Fairly heavy rainfall is predicted for the Southern province and less rainfall is expected for rest of the country during the 30th March – 5th April.

Monitored Rainfall: During the last week, average daily rainfall over Sri Lanka was 3.0mm and hydro catchment areas received 4.7 mm.

Monitored Wind: From 21st- 27th Mar, up to 1 m/s of North easterly winds were experienced at 850 mb level almost over the island.

Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was below normal for northern half of the island. Land surface temperature remained near normal.

Rainfall Prediction: Fairly heavy rainfall is predicted for the Eastern province, and moderately heavy rainfall is expected for rest of the country during 3rd Feb - 9th Feb. Monitored Rainfall: During the last week, maximum daily rainfall over Sri Lanka was 130.7 mm by storm (90B), and hydro catchment areas received 65.0 mm. Highest average rainfall 9.1 mm/day received to northern plains of the country. Monitored Wind: During the last week, strong winds and rough seas were experienced due to storm (90B) over southwest Bay of Bengal. Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was near-neutral for the entire island. Land surface temperature remained near normal.

Interpretation

Monitoring

Rainfall: During the last two weeks, there had been heavy rainfall over Monaragala.

Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (22nd March – 29th March) =3.0 mm

Maximum Daily Rainfall: 76.2 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 below normal for some parts of the North Central and North Western provinces driven by the warm SST’s.

Prediction

Rainfall: During the next week (30th March – 5th April), fairly heavy rainfall (55 mm) is predicted for the Southern province, and less rainfall is expected for rest of the country.

Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Northern, North Western, North Central, and Uva provinces and below normal for some parts of the Central province during 31st March – 6th April.

Teleconnections: ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to continue through the Northern Hemisphere spring and early summer2023.

MJO shall slightly suppress the rainfall during 30thMarch – 13th April for Sri Lanka.

Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the April-May-June 2023 season shows a higher tendency of below-normal precipitation for the country except Northern Province.

Terminology for Rainfall Ranges

Rainfall (During 24 hours of the period)
Light ShowersLess than 12.5 mm
Light to ModerateBetween 12.5 mm and 25 mm
ModerateBetween 25 mm and 50 mm
Fairly HeavyBetween 50 mm and 100 mm
HeavyBetween 100 mm and 150 mm
Very HeavyMore than 150 mm