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Friday, August 30, 2024

Climate Bulletin For Sri Lanka (30 August 2024)

   

Highlights   

       

 •   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.
 •    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).
 •    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.  
 •    Average land surface temperature was 31.0ºC in the last week with warmer and cooler anomalies from seasonal average of 1-3ºC. 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.




Monitoring


RainfallDuring 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.

Region

Total rainfall for 22 - 28 Aug (mm)

Average temperature for 22 - 28 Aug (ºC)

Maximum

Minimum

Northern plains

       27.1      

32.4

26.2

Eastern hills

0.3

29.2

19.3

Eastern plains

26.5

33.6

25.1

Western hills

11.2

28.0

20.2

Western plains

49.8

31.1

26.1

Southern plains

24.6

31.7

25.5


Region

Total rainfall for 8 - 14 Aug (mm)

Daily maximum rainfall for 22 - 28 Aug (mm)

Daily minimum rainfall for 22 - 28 Aug (mm)

All SL

140

17.7

0.0

Hydro catchment

93.4

18.5

0.0


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.


Predictions

Rainfall

14-day prediction: 
NOAA NCEP models: 

From 28th August - 3rd September:
Total rainfall by Provinces

  • 45 mm - North Western
  • 35 mm - Northern
  • 25 mm - Eastern, North Central
  • 15 mm - Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central
  • ≤5 mm - Uva

From 4th September - 10th September:  

Total rainfall by Provinces
  • 45 mm - North Western
  • 35 mm - Southern, Western
  • 25 mm - Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Central
  • ≤15 mm - Northern, Eastern, Uva
MJO based OLR predictions:
For the next 15 days: 
MJO shall near neutral the rainfall during 28th August – 11th September for Sri Lanka.

Ocean State (Text Courtesy IRI)
Pacific Sea Sate: August 26, 2024 
ENSO-neutral conditions are present. Equatorial sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are above average in the western Pacific and near-to-below-average in the eastern Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral is expected to continue for the next several months, with La Niña favored to emerge during September-November (66% chance) and persist through the Northern Hemisphere winter 2024-25 (74% chance during November-January).

Indian Sea Sate
Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 1.0°C above average from 6 Aug to 12 Aug 2024.


Interpretation


Monitoring
RainfallFor August 2024, we had double then the average rainfall. This rise was driven by random and heavy cloud cover over the northern hemisphere due to the tropical convergence zone’s latitude of around 10-15֯ N. The Sri Lanka dome happened, decrease temperature around Sri Lanka and possible rainfall. 
Wind: The wind was flowing North West and quite high.
              

Predictions
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.


Friday, August 23, 2024

Climate Bulletin For Sri Lanka (23 August 2024)

  

Highlights   

       

 •  During 21 - 27 Aug, high likelihood of Light Showers (<12.5 mm) is predicted for the whole SL. The middle atmospheric convergence at latitudes around Sri Lanka has the potential to bring rainfall to the SL. According to the medium-range weather forecast, the Eastern Province has a highly tendency of above normal rainfall due to these conditions.
 •    On average, 10 mm was received in SL and rainfall was concentrated in the Western plains (16.2 mm) and hills (11.5 mm) for last 8 days.On average, 9.6 mm was received in the hydro catchments in SL; Kukule Ganga (Kalutara District) received the highest rainfall (125 mm) for last 8 days. Highest daily rainfall was in Mullativu on 20 Aug (151 mm).
 •    From 13 Aug - 19 Aug, winds at 850mb (1.5km) were north- westerly, reaching up to 15 m/s. From 22 Aug - 28 Aug, winds are predicted to be westerly, reaching up to 15 m/s.  
 •    Average land surface temperature was 31.0ºC in the last week with warmer anomalies from seasonal average of 1-3 ºC and cooler anomalies from seasonal average of 1-3 ºC. Eastern plains was warmest followed by Northern and Southern plains. Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 1.0℃ above average of the country.




Predictions

Rainfall

14-day prediction: 
NOAA NCEP models: 

From 21st August - 27th August:  
Total rainfall by Provinces

  • ≤10 mm - Northern, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Uva, Central, North Western, North Central, Eastern

From 28th August - 3rd September:  

Total rainfall by Provinces
  • ≤25 mm - Northern, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Uva, Central, North Western, North Central, Eastern
MJO based OLR predictions:
For the next 15 days: 
MJO shall slightly enhance the rainfall during 21st – 30th August and near neutral the rainfall during 31st August – 4th September for Sri Lanka.

Ocean State (Text Courtesy IRI)
Pacific Sea Sate: August 21, 2024 
ENSO-neutral conditions are present. Equatorial sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are above average in the western Pacific, near average in the east-central Pacific, and below average in the eastern Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral is expected to continue for the next several months, with La Niña favored to emerge during September-November (66% chance) and persist through the Northern Hemisphere winter 2024-25 (74% chance during November-January).

Indian Sea Sate
Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was 1.0℃ above average from 30 July to 5 August 2024.

Interpretation


Monitoring
Rainfall:During the last two weeks, there has been fairly heavy rainfall over the following area: Palugaswewa Estate (Puttlam)
Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (15 - 21 Aug) = 6.6 mm
Maximum Daily Rainfall: 96.4 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.

Region

Average rainfall for 15 - 21 Aug (mm)

Average temperature for 15 - 21 Aug (ºC)

Maximum

Minimum

Northern plains

8.5

32.3

25.1

Eastern hills

10.2

29.1

24.0

Eastern plains

7.3

32.7

23.1

Western hills

11.5

27.7

23.7

Western plains

16.2

30.1

24.5

Southern plains

9.5

30.9

26.1


Region

Average rainfall for 15 - 21 Aug (mm)

Daily maximum rainfall for 15 - 21 Aug (mm)

Daily minimum rainfall for 15 - 21 Aug (mm)

All SL

10.3

151.1

0.0

Hydro catchment

9.6

125.0

0.0


Wind: North 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 Central and Sabaragamuwa province and below normal for some parts of the Eastern province for Sri Lanka driven by the warm SSTs.

      
  
      
        
      
              

Predictions
Rainfall: During the next week (21 - 27 Aug ), Light Showers (<12.5 mm) is predicted for the whole SL.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for the Northern and Eastern provinces during 22 August - 28 August.
Teleconnections: MJO shall slightly enhance the rainfall during 21st – 30th August and near neutral the rainfall during 31st August – 4th 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.

Friday, August 16, 2024

Climate Bulletin For Sri Lanka (16 August 2024)

 

Highlights   

       

 • During 15 - 21 Aug, high likelihood of heavy rainfall (100 - 150 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Uva, Central and Southern provinces  fairly heavy rainfall (50 - 100 mm) is predicted for the North Central, North Western and Eastern provinces; moderate rainfall (25-50 mm) is predicted for the Northen province. High likelihood of heavy rainfall (100 - 150 mm) is predicted for the Southwest corner of SL  during 15-21 Aug.
 • On average, 6.6 mm was received in SL and rainfall was concentrated in the Western hills (9.6 mm) and Northern (7.7 mm) and Eastern  (7 mm) plains for last 8 days. On average, 7.5 mm was received in the hydro catchments in SL; Neboda (Kalutara District) received the highest rainfall (65 mm) for last 8 days. Highest daily rainfall was in Mahailluppallama on 11 Aug (96.4 mm).
 • From 7 Aug - 13 Aug, winds at 850mb (1.5km) were north- westerly, reaching up to 15 m/s. From 16 Aug - 22 Aug, winds are predicted to be westerly  and north-westerly, reaching up to 15 m/s.  
 • Average land surface temperature was 31.0ºC in the last week with warmer anomalies from seasonal average of 1-3 ºC. Northern plains was warmest followed by Eastern, Western and Southern plains. Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was normal to the North Eastern and some parts of the Northern side of the country and 1.5℃  above average for the other half of the country.




Predictions

Rainfall

14-day prediction: 
NOAA NCEP models: 

From 15th August - 21st August:  
Total rainfall by Provinces

  • 135≤ mm - Southern
  •  125 mm - Sabaragamuwa, Western
  •  105 mm - Uva, Central
  •   85 mm - North Western
  •   75 mm - North Central, Eastern
  •  ≤45 mm - Northern
From 22nd August - 28th August:  
Total rainfall by Provinces
  •  55 mm - Southern
  •  45 mm - Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central
  • ≤25 mm - Uva, North Western, North Central, Eastern, Northern
MJO based OLR predictions:
For the next 15 days: 
MJO shall slightly enhance the rainfall during 15th – 24th August and near neutral the rainfall during 25th August – 29th August for Sri Lanka.

Ocean State (Text Courtesy IRI)
Pacific Sea Sate: August 12, 2024 
ENSO-neutral conditions are present. Equatorial sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are above average in the western Pacific, near average in the east-central Pacific, and below average in the eastern Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral is expected to continue for the next several months, with La Niña favored to emerge during September-November (66% chance) and persist through the Northern Hemisphere winter 2024-25 (74% chance during November-January).

Indian Sea Sate
Sea surface temperature around Sri Lanka was normal to the North Eastern and some parts of the Northern side of the country and 1.5℃ above average for the other half of the country from 23 July to 29 July 2024.

Interpretation


Monitoring
Rainfall:During the last two weeks, there has been fairly heavy rainfall over the following area: Nochchiyagama ( Anuradhapura )

Daily Average Rainfall in the Met stations for the previous week of (8 - 14 Aug) = 6.6 mm

Maximum Daily Rainfall: 96.4 mm & Minimum Daily Rainfall: 0.0 mm.


Region

Average rainfall for 8 - 14 Aug (mm)

Average temperature for 8 - 14 Aug (ºC)

Maximum

Minimum

Northern plains

7.7

33.7

25.5

Eastern hills

2.8

29.4

19.1

Eastern plains

7.1

33.6

24.9

Western hills

9.6

28.5

19.8

Western plains

4.4

31.6

25.9

Southern plains

1.5

31.4

25.9


Region

Average rainfall for 8 - 14 Aug (mm)

Daily maximum rainfall for 8 - 14 Aug (mm)

Daily minimum rainfall for 8 - 14 Aug (mm)

All SL

6.6

96.4

0.0

Hydro catchment

7.5

65.0

0.0


Wind: North Westerly and 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 Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa province and below normal for some parts of the Eastern province for Sri Lanka driven by the warm SSTs.

      
  
      
        
      
              

Predictions
Rainfall: During the next week (15 - 21 Aug ), heavy rainfall (100 - 150 mm) is predicted for the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Uva, Central and Southern provinces and fairly heavy rainfall (50 – 100 mm) is predicted for the North Central, North Western and Eastern provinces and moderate rainfall (25-50 mm) is predicted for the Northern province.
Temperatures: The temperature will remain above normal for the Northern, Eastern and North Central provinces during 16 August - 22 August.
Teleconnections: MJO shall slightly enhance the rainfall during 15th – 24th August and near neutral the rainfall during 25th August – 29th August 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.