New Year Weather Update: Heavy Showers Expected in Several Parts of Sri Lanka
As Sri Lanka marks the beginning of 2026, the Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory predicting a wet start to the year for several regions. According to the forecast on January 1, atmospheric conditions suggest active weather patterns across the island, with specific warnings issued for heavy rainfall in the Central and Eastern highlands.
The forecast indicates that showers or thundershowers will occur intermittently throughout the day in the Eastern, Central, North-central, and Uva provinces. Residents in the Central and Uva provinces, as well as those in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts, are advised to be prepared for fairly heavy rainfall, with precipitation levels likely to reach around 75 mm in some areas. Meanwhile, the Northern and North-western provinces are expected to experience several spells of showers during the day.
For the rest of the island, the weather pattern will shift in the afternoon. Showers or thundershowers are likely to develop at several places after 2:00 p.m. Additionally, commuters and drivers in the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts, should exercise caution during the early hours of the morning, as misty conditions are expected to reduce visibility in these areas.
In light of the potential for thundershowers, the Department of Meteorology has issued a standard safety warning to the general public. Citizens are kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning activities that may accompany the rain.
