Issued at 04.00 p.m. on 05 January 2026
Weather conditions across Sri Lanka during the next 36 hours are expected to remain unsettled as a low-level atmospheric disturbance located in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of the island is likely to intensify further, according to the Department of Meteorology. As a result, showery conditions over the island, particularly in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central Provinces, are expected to enhance further from January 8. The influence of this developing weather system is expected to increase cloud cover, rainfall activity and wind strength across several regions during the forecast period.
Showers are expected to occur at times in the Eastern, Central, Uva, North-Central and Northern Provinces. These areas are likely to experience intermittent rainfall throughout the day and night, with cloudy skies prevailing for extended periods. Fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 75 millimetres is likely at some places in the Uva Province and in the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa and Ampara. Rainfall intensity may vary from place to place depending on local atmospheric conditions, with some areas experiencing more persistent showers than others.
In other parts of the island, showers or thundershowers may occur at several places after 1.00 p.m. Afternoon and evening thundershowers are common under such weather conditions, particularly when daytime heating combines with increased moisture in the atmosphere. These thundershowers may occur in western, southern and interior areas and are expected to be scattered in nature, contributing to generally wet weather conditions across the country during the latter part of the day.
Strong winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour can be expected at times over the eastern slopes of the central hills, as well as in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Eastern Provinces, and in the Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts. Wind conditions may fluctuate during the day, with occasional gusty periods occurring alongside showers or thundershowers. Such winds are more likely to be experienced in exposed locations, coastal areas and elevated terrain.
The expected intensification of the low-level atmospheric disturbance highlights the active nature of the current weather pattern affecting Sri Lanka. As the system continues to develop in the Bay of Bengal, its influence is likely to extend across a broader area of the island, resulting in more widespread rainfall and variable wind conditions over the coming days. Weather conditions may change depending on the movement and strength of the disturbance, making regular monitoring of official forecasts important.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize possible damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers, as weather conditions may change rapidly in some areas during the forecast period.
