Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 13 – 20 December 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During the next week (11 – 17 Dec), Fairly Heavy rainfall (50-100 mm) is predicted for the Northern province, and Moderate rainfall (25-50 mm) is predicted for the North Central and Eastern provinces, and Light to Moderate rainfall (12.5mm-25mm) is predicted for the Western, North Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces, and Light Showers (<12.5mm) are predicted for the Central and Uva provinces.
Monitored Rainfall: During the last 8 days, Sri Lanka received an average of 2.8 mm/day of rainfall, while in the hydro catchments, the average rainfall was 1.5 mm/day. Highest daily rainfall was in Jaffna on 11 Dec (75 mm/day).
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average land surface temperature was 31.0ºC in the last week with warmer anomalies from the seasonal average of 1–3 ºC. Southern plains were warmest, followed by Western and Northern plains. Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 1℃ above average from 28 Nov – 4 Dec 2024.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall:During the last two weeks, there has been Heavy rainfall over the followingarea: 106 mm/day (Opanayake-Rathnapura). Average Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (05 – 11 Dec) = 2.8 mm/dayMaximum Daily Rainfall: 74.8 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: Easterly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were warmer for Sri Lanka except for somepartsofWestern, Central, Northern, Uva and Eastern provinces driven by the warmSSTs anomalies.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (11 – 17 Dec), Fairly Heavy rainfall (50-100 mm) is predictedfortheNorthern province, and Moderate rainfall (25-50 mm) is predicted for the NorthCentralandEastern provinces, and Light to Moderate rainfall (12.5mm-25mm) is predictedfor theWestern,North Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces, and Light Showers (<12.5mm)arepredicted for the Central and Uva provinces.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain normal for the SL during 14 – 20 Dec.
Teleconnections: MJO shall be slightly enhance for the rainfall during 11-15 Dec andmoderatelyenhance the rainfall during 16-20 Dec and significantly enhance the rainfall during 21-25DecforSriLanka.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the November-December-January,2024season shows a 40% or more tendency toward above-normal precipitation for thecountry.
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 |
