Weather conditions across Sri Lanka on January 5, 2026, are expected to be influenced by a low-level atmospheric disturbance that is currently established to the southeast of the island, according to the Department of Meteorology. This system continues to affect weather patterns across several regions, resulting in increased cloudiness, frequent showers, and occasionally strong winds in different parts of the country. The prevailing conditions are typical of active weather phases during this period and are expected to shape rainfall distribution throughout the day.
Showers are expected to occur at times in the Eastern and Uva Provinces, as well as in the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Polonnaruwa and Mullaittivu. These areas are likely to experience intermittent rainfall during the day, with cloud cover remaining generally high. Fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 millimetres is likely at some places in the Eastern Province and in Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Badulla, Polonnaruwa and Mullaittivu districts, contributing to wet conditions across these regions. Such rainfall patterns may support agricultural activities while also affecting normal daily routines in some locations.
Several spells of showers are also expected in the Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya districts. These northern and north-central areas may experience periods of rain interspersed with cloudy intervals, as moisture associated with the atmospheric disturbance spreads across the region. Rainfall in these districts may vary in intensity throughout the day, depending on localized weather developments.
In other parts of the island, showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m. Afternoon and evening thundershowers are common under such weather conditions, especially when daytime heating combines with available moisture. These areas may experience brief but active showers later in the day.
In addition to rainfall, 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 vary during the day, with occasional gusts accompanying showers or thundershowers.
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.
