Media Center
Climate Bulletin for Sri Lanka (Week of 7 June – 14 June 2024)
Highlights
Rainfall Prediction: During 5-11 June, there is a high likelihood of moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) predicted for Puttalam town and light rainfall for the
Puttalam district and adjacent areas, with no rainfall predicted for the rest.
Monitored Rainfall: During 29 May – 5 June, on average, 8.4 mm was received in SL, rainfall was concentrated in the western hills (28 mm) and plains (11 mm).
•31 May, 1 and 2 June: extreme rainfall (62.5mm,282mm,154mm) was recorded in Ratnapura, and floods ensued. The highest daily rainfall (436 mm) was in Eheliyagoda on June 1.
Monitored and Predicted Wind: From 28 May- 3 June, strong winds at 850mb (1.5 km) north westerly, reaching up to 15m/s. From 6-12 June, winds are predicted to be westerly, reaching up to 15m/s.
Monitored Sea and Land Temperature: Average maximum land surface temperature was 31.7°C in last week. Sea Surface Temperature around Sri Lanka was 0- 0.25°C above normal to the north east and, the south west is cooler. Both the EL Nino and Indian ocean dipole patterns transitioned to neutral last week.
Interpretation
Monitoring
Rainfall:During the last two weeks, there had been very heavy rainfall over the following area:
Ehellyagoda.
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for previous week of (29th May – 6th June) = 8.4 mm
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 281.9mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.
Wind: North Westerly winds prevailed in the sea area and around the island last week.
Temperatures: The temperature anomalies were neutral for the Sri Lanka except some part of the Uva province driven by the warm SST’s.
Prediction
Rainfall: During the next week (5th June – 11th June), moderate rainfall (25 – 50 mm) is predicted for the Western, and North Western, provinces and light to moderate rainfall (12.5 – 25 mm) is predicted for the North Central, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern Provinces and light shower is predicted for the rest.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for some parts of the Northern, Eastern, North central and Uva provinces during 6th June 12th June.
Teleconnections: MJO shall slightly suppress the rainfall during 5th June – 19th June.
Seasonal Precipitation: The precipitation forecast for the June-July-August, 2024 season shows a 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 |
