Marine Advisory, Showers and Fairly Rough Seas Expected Around Sri Lankan Coastline
The Department of Meteorology has issued a comprehensive sea area weather forecast for the next 24 hours. Naval and fishing communities are urged to exercise caution as the New Year begins with increased wind speeds and localized turbulence across several coastal stretches.
Widespread Showers and Monsoon Activity – According to the official bulletin, the island’s coastal belt will experience varying degrees of rainfall. Showers are expected at several places in the sea areas extending from Mannar to Trincomalee. This rainy weather pattern will move clockwise via Puttalam, Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, and Batticaloa, impacting a significant portion of the island’s maritime boundaries.
The Department warned that during thundershowers, the sea could become very rough instantaneously due to temporarily strong gusty winds. Mariners are advised to stay alert for rapid changes in weather conditions during these periods.
Wind Speeds and Coastal Turbulence – The prevailing winds will maintain a Northerly to North-easterly direction. While general wind speeds across most sea areas will range between 30–40 kmph, a noticeable increase is expected along the southwestern and southern coasts.
Specifically, in the sea areas extending from Matara to Colombo via Galle, wind speeds are forecast to pick up to 40–45 kmph at times. Consequently, these particular sea areas are expected to be fairly rough, while the remaining sea areas around the island will remain moderate.
Small craft and naval vessels operating between Matara and Colombo should be prepared for choppy waters and gusty conditions. Fishing communities are advised to monitor radio frequencies for updated weather warnings, particularly if planning to venture into deep-sea areas. While the northeast monsoon influence is typical for January, the combination of increased wind speed and potential thundershowers creates a high-risk environment for smaller vessels in the southern quadrant.
The Department of Meteorology will continue to monitor these conditions and will provide updates as new data becomes available.
